The village of Kandanos, located on the island of Crete, faced a devastating assault by the Wehrmacht as part of Germany's broader strategy during World War II. Following the Allied evacuation from Crete in May 1941, German forces sought to consolidate their control over the island, initially facing strong resistance from both locals and British troops. In response to continued resistance, the Germans conducted a series of reprisals. In early June, they targeted Kandanos due to its alleged support for the enemy forces. The attack on the village culminated in the execution of approximately 180 inhabitants, including men, women, and children. The Wehrmacht systematically set fire to homes and obliterated the village infrastructure, creating an image of terror intended to dissuade future acts of defiance among the Cretan population.

The actions taken by German troops in Kandanos were part of a larger strategy of suppression employed throughout occupied territories. The razing of civilian settlements like Kandanos drew international condemnation and showcased the extreme measures taken by occupying forces against populations perceived as hostile. Such actions aimed not only to eliminate resistance but also to serve as a grim warning to other villages contemplating support for resistance activities. The aftermath of the assault left a lasting scar on the community and contributed to the narrative of resistance against the Axis powers, galvanizing local and later global support for Greek forces.

This brutal reprisal melded into the larger context of the war, as reports of atrocities committed by occupying forces emerged alongside the growing Allied push against Axis aggression. Residents of Kandanos and surrounding areas became symbols of the civilian cost of the war, reflective of the often-overlooked struggles faced by communities under occupation. Though the village was destroyed, the memory of its inhabitants and their brave resistance remained vividly in the minds of Cretans and historians alike, encapsulating the spirit of defiance against tyranny.