Talking with Georgia Hadzidakis – the granddaughter of Georgios.

Georgios A. Hatzidakis was born in the mountain village of Askifou, Sfakia, on December 12, 1931. As a ten-year-old boy, he witnessed the German invasion of Crete and experienced the devastation of war firsthand. His family home was destroyed, he was badly injured, and his younger sister was killed in the attacks—losses that left deep physical and emotional scars.

After fleeing to safety in Georgioupolis, Georgios grew up with a profound understanding of both the tragedy and the heroism of those years. Proud of his people’s resistance and sacrifice, he dedicated his life to preserving their memory.

Driven by this mission, he began collecting relics from the Battle of Crete—uniforms, weapons, personal items, and stories—creating a remarkable archive of wartime history. His lifelong effort became the foundation of the War Museum Askifou, now home to more than 2,000 artefacts from 1940–1944.

Today, his son Andreas G. Hatzidakis continues his father’s work, ensuring that the courage, suffering, and resilience of the Cretan people are never forgotten.

The link to the Museum: War Museum Askifou