In contrast to the Greek mainland the Nazis occupied most of Crete between 1941 - 45. After
the German troops' defeat in North Africa Crete was turned into a fortress. This study
examines the goals methods and effectiveness of the German occupation policy the reactions of
the Cretan administration and of the population in particular and also describes the
opponents' combat operations. The study is based not only on written papers documents and
files of Greek Cretan British and German origin but also on letters manuscripts expos'es
and interviews by and with contemporary witnesses. Marlen von Xylander Studies in History
Ethnology and Literature at Hamburg University Master's degree 1987 academic tenure at
University of Crete 1984 - 85 PhD at Hamburg University 2009
