Project launched to map routes followed by ANZAC and Allied forces on Crete

The Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand, in conjunction with the Cretan Commemorations Committee – The Battle of Crete and the Resistance which is based in Crete and the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council in Victoria, have embarked on a project titled The ANZAC & Allied Trail of Crete.

The project is about the mapping of a large network of routes throughout the island, the placement of information signs with historical narration and photographic material on them, the development of 3D electronic maps that will be presented on a website and possibly also in an electronic application and many other parallel actions that will frame the central idea.

This large project aims to highlight the historical events of the Battle of Crete through the actual routes followed by the ANZAC & Αllied forces during the battle, the evacuation and points of great interest from the preparation of the defence of the island to the occupation that followed.

In a press release, the Federation said the families of a few ANZAC veterans who are still alive in Australia, NZ, England and Greece, have “shown enormous interest in going to Crete and walking the trails of there fathers, grandfathers, uncles and brothers.”

“The organisations involved feel it’s their duty to make this project a reality. The involvement of the younger generations and the passing on of historical knowledge is a duty for every Cretan, anywhere in the world,” the Federation added in the press release.

The preparation of the project requires historical research which will be carried out in collaboration with historians, authors, researchers, collectors, and a large network of people with knowledge of the Battle of Crete and the Resistance that followed.

The Cretan Federation, the Cretan Commemorations Committee and the Victorian Battle of Crete Commemorative Council will conduct the above research and invite the cooperation of the general public, self-governing bodies, collectives, and private individuals, local, state and Federal Governments to partake.

The meetings in preparation conducted by both Antonis Tsourdalakis and Giannis Thimianos with the Municipalities of Chania, Rethymno, Iraklio, Apokoronas, Ag. Vasiliou and Sfakia have concluded in a positive and enthusiastic manner, during August 2022. 

The entire proposal has also been presented to the Hellenic National Defence Forces who have also given their full support moving forward, through the Ministry for Defence. 

This gives the project the impetus it deserves and triggers the start of the research required for the specifics, that will consist of the historical and economic-technical study within a short period of time.

All stakeholders invite anyone interested in joining this project to reach out via email at admin@cretan.com.au

READ MORE: ‘Hopeful the Lemnos Remembrance Trail will be completed by 2025’: Greek Deputy Defence Minister.