Eighty-four years after the historic Battle of Crete during World War II, a group of Greek-Australians is preparing to honor ANZAC in a unique way in Greece.
This May, the team will retrace the 100-kilometer retreat of ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) soldiers during World War II, honoring their sacrifices. At the same time, they hope to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research, a genuinely noble cause.
ANZAC and Greece as allies during World War II
The Battle of Crete in May 1941 was a turning point in World War II. ANZAC forces—comprising Australian and New Zealand soldiers—joined Greek and British soldiers as well as Cretan civilians in a fierce and heroic defense against the German nazi invasion.
Despite their heroic efforts, the Allies were forced into a retreat from Maleme to Hora Sfakion under relentless fire from the German war machine.
Many ANZACs who couldn’t escape found refuge among the local Cretan people, who risked their lives to shelter them and save their lives.
This chapter of history has indeed created deep ties between Australia and Greece, with people in Crete still remembering these moments.
As Con Kanellis, founder of the non-profit group “Wish You Were Here,” explained recently to Greek daily ”Ta Nea”, “The bonds formed during the Battle of Crete are an important part of Australian identity, but they don’t receive the recognition they deserve.” Kanellis, whose roots trace back to Crete, is leading this initiative to highlight these historic connections of friendship while addressing a pressing modern issue: pancreatic cancer.
The 100-kilometer trek will follow the exact path that the ANZAC soldiers took in 1941. Starting in Maleme and concluding in Hora Sfakion, this five-day journey will challenge participants physically and emotionally as they will try to cross the rugged terrain of rural Crete.
It is worth mentioning that this isn’t the first time “Wish You Were Here” has undertaken such an ambitious task. In 2017, they trekked Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track, raising over €200,000 for cancer research.
What happened to the ANZAC soldiers in Crete
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