The Resistance

From the very first hours of the German invasion, hundreds of Cretans voluntarily rose up against the aggressor. In many cases their contribution to the Battle of Crete was crucial, and their activity led to heavy German troop losses. After the island had fallen, the will to resist occupation forces was initially expressed by sheltering Allied soldiers who had remained on Crete and assisting them to escape.

Over the course of time, the first resistance groups were set up, aimed at reconnaissance, acts of sabotage and the formation of guerrilla groups. The resistance movement mushroomed day by day. Battles between the occupying forces and guerrillas, sabotage attacks on German installations, executions of collaborators and other high-risk activities became a part of the new reality.

"The Cretan Resistance, under an extremely harsh occupation, was one of the best organised in all Europe," notes Paddy Leigh Fermor, one of the British officers who served on the island during the occupation. The conquerors often resorted to reprisals against the civilian population so as to check the activities of guerrilla organisations. Arrests, torture, imprisonment, destruction of entire villages and the execution of hostages became part of the daily agenda. The island population was sorely tried.