This May marks the 85th anniversary of one of World War Two's most brutal and pivotal battles. The German airborne invasion of Crete in May 1941 witnessed extraordinary acts of courage that would echo through military history forever. Join SOE Expeditions as we retrace the exact footsteps of Allied defenders, following the evacuation routes that saved thousands of lives whilst exploring the battlefields where heroes like Charles Hazlitt Upham earned immortal glory.

The rugged terrain of Crete holds secrets that textbooks cannot capture. Every olive grove, mountain pass, and coastal path tells a story of desperate resistance and unimaginable bravery. This is no ordinary battlefield tour—this is your opportunity to experience history through the eyes of those who lived it.

Our expedition follows the precise routes taken by Allied forces as they conducted one of the most challenging fighting withdrawals in military history. You will walk the mountain paths where exhausted soldiers carried wounded comrades, traverse the valleys where rearguard actions saved thousands of lives, and stand upon the beaches where Royal Navy ships risked everything to evacuate survivors.

The 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete arrives at a crucial moment in world history. As international tensions rise and democratic values face challenges, the lessons of Crete become increasingly relevant. The battle demonstrated how free peoples, when united in common cause, can resist seemingly insurmountable odds.