Souda Bay War Cemetery Crete

The Souda Bay War Cemetery Crete, is about 5 km east of Chania on the west of the Island of Crete.

The last resting place for those servicemen who died in the Battle for Crete

It's in a beautiful, quiet location overlooking the sea and is the last resting place of the British Commonwealth war dead who lost their lives between May 20th and May 31st 1941, during the Battle for Crete.

There are 1527 graves, mostly British, but with a large number of New Zealanders too (447), together with 197 Australians, and some other countries are also represented. Not all those buried here were identified and some headstones bear the legend Known only to God.

Visitors can sign a book with comments and feelings, and the entries are testament to the effect this moving place has on people who visit from all over the world. The visitor's book is housed in an enclosure near the entrance gate.

For many visitors, a trip to Souda Bay War Cemetery is more than just a historical experience—it is deeply moving. Walking among the rows of headstones, reading the inscriptions, and seeing the names of young soldiers who never returned home evokes a profound sense of loss and remembrance.

Many visitors describe feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude, especially those with family connections to the Battle of Crete. Some bring flowers, others take a quiet moment to reflect, while some even trace their fingers over the names engraved in stone, honoring the sacrifice of those who rest here.

Behind each headstone at Souda Bay War Cemetery lies a story—many of them untold, yet all of them a testament to the extraordinary courage of the young men who fought and died on Cretan soil. The Battle of Crete, fought in May 1941, saw one of the most daring airborne invasions of World War II, as German paratroopers descended upon the island in waves.

Against overwhelming odds, British, Australian, and New Zealand forces, along with the fiercely determined Cretan resistance, put up a heroic defense. Many of the fallen buried here were among those who fought valiantly to repel the invasion, while others were wounded soldiers who succumbed to their injuries in the days and weeks that followed.

One particularly harrowing story is that of Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Andrew, a New Zealander who had already earned the Victoria Cross in World War I. He led his troops through intense firefights during the Battle of Crete, ensuring the evacuation of many soldiers. Though he survived the war, many of his men did not, and some now lie here in Souda Bay.

Even local civilians played their part. The Cretan people, known for their deep sense of filoxenia (hospitality) and defiance, risked their own lives to shelter Allied troops left behind after the evacuation. Many were executed for their bravery, their sacrifice forever intertwined with the stories of those buried in this hallowed ground.

Here's how to get to the Souda Bay War Cemetery Crete.

If you are driving from the airport take the main road to Chania and follow signs for Souda. You will start to descend a steep hill and eventually you'll see a sign for the cemetery on the left. Turn first right into a small parking area.

If you are driving from the direction of Heraklion look for the exit Souda Bay about 10 km from Chania. Take this road and you will pass the Naval Base on your right (don't stop and take pictures!). Once in town you'll see a set of traffic lights - turn right towards the port, and then left to follow the road along the harbour. Eventually you will come to a Y junction and you will see a large INKA Supermarket. Take the right fork at these lights and drive up the hill for a couple of kilometres. The cemetery is signposted on the right.

If you are driving from Chania Town, take the Souda Bay exit and then turn right at the end of the road. Turn right at the T junction and then when you get to the INKA Supermarket turn left. After a couple of kilometres you will see the signpost for the cemetery.