Crete

During World War II, the island was the site of the famous Battle of Crete in May 1941.

An excerpt from the article 24 facts about Crete

The battle claimed more than 11.000 soldiers and civilians killed or wounded. German firing squads carried out mass executions of civilians in this and later actions. Two German generals were tried and executed after the war for their involvement in the killing of 3000 islanders.