During the Nazi occupation of Greece in World War II, Crete became a focal point of resistance against enemy forces. On this occasion, following an attack on German troops by partisans, the Nazis sought revenge by targeting local civilian populations. A paramilitary group, acting in conjunction with the German occupiers, rounded up thirteen civilians from a nearby village, accusing them of supporting the resistance. The execution was carried out publicly and gruesomely, with the civilians being set on fire, a tactic intended to terrorize the local populace and deter further acts of defiance against the oppressive regime.

This event was part of a broader pattern of violence employed by the Nazis throughout occupied Europe, where they regularly used collective punishment as a means to maintain control. The methodical targeting of civilians, especially in rural areas, exacerbated the existing tensions and fear among the local Greek population. Families were torn apart, and communities were left devastated by the loss of their loved ones.

The event is significant not only for its immediate impact on the local community but also for the larger narrative of resistance during World War II. It exemplified the brutal tactics employed by occupying forces against insurgencies and highlighted the consequences faced by innocent civilians in such conflicts. In the years that followed, the stories of these civilians and others like them contributed to an enduring legacy of resistance and martyrdom in Crete, where many locals viewed their struggle against the Nazis as a fight for their identity and freedom.