The Anniversary of Operation Mercury, Crete, led by Mike Bradley

Independent travel to London Gatwick Airport for the early morning flight to Heraklion. On arrival we have a private coach transfer to the Cretan capital where we check-in to the Astoria Capsis Hotel for a 2-night stay. Mike Bradley will give an introduction to the days ahead before leading you on an orientation walk through the streets of Old Heraklion. This evening a welcome dinner will be served.

Breakfast is served in the hotels each morning. Today’s sightseeing includes a visit to the Historical Museum of Crete where we focus on the exhibition dedicated to World War Two. See significant sites associated with the Battle of Crete and learn more about the Resistance and Allied Secret Service operations as we drive from Heraklion to the picturesque village of Arachanes. Along this road we’ll see the place where on the night of April 26^th, 1944 a team led by two British officers ambushed General Kreipe’s car and abducted him. Our tour takes us to the ancient Minoan site of Knossos where the people of Knossos village hid their families during the Battle of Crete, and Villa Ariadne, which became the residence of the commander of the German occupation. It was here in May 1945 the treaty of surrender was signed – the last act of the Second World War in Europe. The evening is at leisure.

After checking out of the hotel we drive to Rethymno, which was the site of the German assault codenamed Aris. We visit the Australian defensive areas near Stavromeno and the Monastery of Preveli. The monastery and neighbouring villages played an important role in aiding Allied troops as a place of shelter and a point from which they could escape. Here we see an international memorial dedicated to peace and remembrance that marks the anniversary of the Battle of Crete. We check-in to the Hotel Achillion Palace for an overnight stay before a leisurely walking tour Rethymno’s Renaissance Old Town. The evening is at leisure.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of the hotel for today’s scenic drive to Chania. En route we stop at Souda Bay. This naturally protected harbour on the northwest coast of Crete was an important site during the Second World War for Allied naval activity, and some 25,000 British and Commonwealth troops landed here in April 1941 as Allied forces withdrew from mainland Greece. In the afternoon we check into the Porto Veneziano Hotel in Chania for a 3-night stay. There is time at leisure to explore the Old City and perhaps enjoy an evening meal in one of Chania’s many fine restaurants.

Maleme is where the German attack on Crete from the air began on the morning of May 20, 1941. Today’s tour visits the landing areas of German parachutists and gliders, and Hill 107 - an important defensive area overlooking the airfield. From this elevated position we get an overview of the battlefields. We’ll visit the German War Cemetery where most of the 4,465 graves are those of German paratroopers who died during the first hours of the invasion. Our tour then visits the main Allied positions at Galatas, Prison Valley and Cemetery Hill. We also learn the extraordinary story of New Zealander Captain Charles Upham who is the only combat soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross twice. The evening is at leisure.

Today’s tour starts with a visit to the site where Australian and New Zealand forces fought German mountain troops on May 27th, 1941 in a battle known as The Battle of 42^nd Street. We then follow the route of the Allied retreat over the White Mountains. At the entrance to the village of Hora Sfakion we see the monument erected to commemorate 26 local people executed by the Nazis in September 1941 for helping Allied soldiers hiding in the mountains. There will be time at leisure in this charming fishing village and you might choose to have lunch in one of the harbourfront tavernas. We return to the hotel in the late afternoon. A farewell dinner is served this evening.

After breakfast we check-out of the hotel and drive to the Souda Bay War Cemetery where 1,500 Commonwealth servicemen of the Second World War are buried or commemorated. Here we hold a special Service of Remembrance to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. After time to reflect and pay our respects we drive to Chania Airport for our return flight arriving London in the early evening.