Footsteps of WWII · Malta & Crete
Souda Bay War Cemetery, Crete
Cemetery · 20 May – 1 Jun 1941
The story
In May 1941 Commonwealth forces on Crete held five defence areas along the north coast. After the German airborne landings began on 20 May, Maleme fell and the line west of Chania broke on 26 May. Souda Bay became indefensible, and the troops retreated over the mountains to Sfakia. Between 28 and 31 May the Royal Navy evacuated about 18,000 men from Crete, most of them from Sfakia. Of 32,000 Commonwealth soldiers on the island, about 12,000 were captured and 2,000 killed. After the war, Australian War Graves Units moved the dead here from German-made burial grounds at Chania, Heraklion, Rethymno and Galatas and from isolated graves. About 1,500 Second World War servicemen lie here, 776 unidentified.
What to look for
A quiet, walled cemetery in an olive grove on the shore of Souda Bay, designed by Louis de Soissons. Rows of headstones run down towards the water. Look for the grave of the archaeologist and SOE officer John Pendlebury and for the many headstones marked 'Known unto God'.
Plan your visit
Free; open permanently. About 5 km east of Chania: follow Souda Boulevard to the Ellis junction, then CWGC signs via Mavridaki Street. Car park near the entrance.
Things change, so check opening times before you travel.
Nearby sites
- Galatas, Crete: the battle for the village · 9 km
- Maleme German War Cemetery and Hill 107, Crete · 21 km
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