New Zealand’s Defence Minister Chris Penk has marked the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign, paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of ANZAC forces and the enduring bond formed with the people of Crete during World War II.
Full message:
It is a great honour to mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign of the Second World War — a defining chapter in the shared history of Greece, Australia and New Zealand.
In 1941, thousands of Australian and New Zealand service personnel were drawn into a fierce and costly campaign fought far from home. For the ANZACs who served in Greece and on Crete, the campaign was marked by extraordinary courage, endurance and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds. Many were killed, wounded or taken prisoner, while countless others carried the experience with them for the rest of their lives.
The Battle of Crete also gave rise to something enduring and deeply human. In the midst of occupation and danger, the people of Crete extended compassion, protection and solidarity to Allied servicemen, often at great personal risk. Acts of kindness and bravery by ordinary Cretan civilians saved lives and forged a bond of friendship that has lasted across generations. This powerful legacy of mutual respect and shared humanity remains central to the way this campaign is remembered today.
As we reflect on this milestone anniversary, we also acknowledge the vital role played by the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, its member associations, and its dedicated volunteers. Through memorial services, wreath-laying ceremonies, public education and the enduring commitment to historical remembrance, the Federation ensures that the story of Crete and the Greek Campaign is not lost to time. The work you undertake year after year honours those who served and strengthens the connections between our communities.
This commemorative publication is an important contribution to that effort. By bringing together reflections from veterans, leaders and historians, it reaffirms the significance of this history not only for those who lived it, but for future generations who inherit its lessons.
On this 85th anniversary, we remember with gratitude all who served in the Greek Campaign and at Crete, those who never returned, and the families who bore the weight of loss and separation.
We honour the courage of the ANZACs and the compassion of the Cretan people, and we reaffirm our shared commitment to remembrance.
May we continue to cherish this remarkable bond between our nations, and ensure that the legacy of service, sacrifice and friendship born on Crete in 1941 is never forgotten.
*This message features in The Greek Herald’s and Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand’s Battle of Crete liftout in today’s Wednesday, May 20 newspaper.
