Heraklion International Airport

Opened in March 1939, Heraklion Airfield initially hosted daily flights from Athens via HEES, using Junkers Ju-52 aircraft.

Civilian operations ceased during WWII. Allied forces used the airfield to defend the island during the Battle of Crete. Elements of the 221 Group RAF, specifically No. 84, 110, 113, and 123 Squadrons, were based here. In May 1941, German forces seized the airfield, which became a base for Luftwaffe (German Air Force's Training Squadron 1 and Combat Wing 77) attacks on Allied shipping and ports across the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa.

In June 1942, during Operation Albumen, French SAS commandos infiltrated the airfield amid RAF bombing raids. Using Lewes bombs, they destroyed around 20 Ju 88 bombers. Though all six escaped the raid, their retreat was betrayed: 17-year-old Pierre Léostic was killed, three were captured, while Jellicoe and Petrakis evaded capture and reached Egypt.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: CNA 34727
• SIBARD, J. L., Mission En Crete, Societe des Etudes Historiques Cretoises, 2006.