Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has issued a statement marking the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, paying tribute to the courage of Cretans, Allied forces and ANZAC soldiers, and highlighting the enduring legacy of shared sacrifice and historical ties between Greece, Australia and New Zealand.
Full statement in English:
We stand again this year with awe and respect before the memory of the Battle of Crete, a historic moment that highlighted in the clearest way the power of freedom, dignity, and collective resistance against expansionism and barbarity. In May 1941, Crete was not simply “another battlefield”; it became a global symbol of heroism and self-sacrifice.
The Cretans, faithful to their unbroken historical tradition, proved that freedom is not given but won through sacrifice. With courage, authentic patriotism, and incomparable bravery, the fighters of the great island joined the allied forces and strongly resisted the Nazi invasion.
A special place in this shared historical legacy is held by the ANZAC soldiers from Australia and New Zealand, who fought on Cretan soil with admirable self-sacrifice. This year, the anniversary carries particular weight, as just a few weeks ago we bid farewell with deep emotion to Les Cook, the last ANZAC veteran of the Battle of Crete.
His loss marks the end of a great generation of heroes. Yet his contribution and memory will remain undimmed, forever reminding us of the unbreakable bonds of friendship and solidarity born in those critical days.
Crete, however, did not only pay with battles for its devotion to freedom. It paid a heavy blood price. Names such as Kondomari, Kakopetros, and Kandanos are etched indelibly into our collective consciousness. The ashes and pain did not break the Cretan people. With the same indomitable spirit that has always distinguished them, they continued the struggle through the National Resistance, keeping the flame of freedom alive until final vindication.
The shared sacrifice of Greeks and allies shaped relations of deep mutual respect between our peoples, relations strengthened over time. The Greek and especially Cretan communities in Australia and New Zealand today constitute a shining example of this timeless connection.
We owe recognition and gratitude to our diaspora, as well as to the organisations that consistently serve the preservation of this precious heritage, such as the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand. Their work keeps alive not only historical memory, but also the unbreakable bond of younger generations with the homeland.
85 years later, the Battle of Crete does not belong only to the past. It is a permanent point of reference for the future, reminding us that the values of freedom, unity, and resistance against tyranny remain more relevant than ever.
Eternal honour to all who fought. Eternal memory to the fallen. And eternal gratitude to those who kept the light of freedom alive.
*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.
