Crete is dotted with many military remnants of the German Occupation, as aft, military facilities, shelters and various memorials that testify how much the Cretan people suffered by the Germans. Dozens of these monuments are around us and we are rarely aware of their existence or their history.
The 4465 Germans, mainly paratroopers, who were killed during the Battle of Crete, were buried in the German Military Cemetery of Maleme (Deutschen Soldatenfriedhof in Maleme). It is the second German military airport in Greece, as there is another one near Athens.
At Vlites position, by Souda port, in a beautifully landscaped scenery, there is the Souda Bay War Cemetery, where ceremonies take place every year in memory of the victims of the Second World War. Throughout the year, many visitors, mainly Australians and New Zealanders, visit this place.
The martyr village Kakopetros at Kissamos province is one of the most beautiful and green villages of the prefecture of Chania. Like all the villages of the area it consists of many distinct neighborhoods (Tsichliana, Seli, Micheliana, Berethiana, Metohi, Sholio, Papadiana, Chatziana, Ganiana, Kotsyfiana and Pontikou Platanos. The neighborhoods of the village are crossed by the rugged canyon Kakopetros.
On the road that connects Maridaki to the monastery of Agios Nikitas, in Asterousia Range, locals have erected a really interesting monument. This is there to remind of an event that took place at that point during the Second World War, showing the bravery of local fighters against a powerful enemy. The location selected for the monument was above a cliff above the monastery of Agios Nikitas, overlooking the deep blue Libyan sea and having the steep slopes of Asterousia with the palm grove of Agios Nikitas in the back.
This weird memorial column commemorates the kidnap of General Kreipe, maybe the most important military operation in Crete in 1944. The kidnappers stopped the car of the General at this point and started their timely course till reaching the south coasts of Crete and deliver the General in Egypt.