Crete had been considered an unrealistic military objective during WWII, so no significant defense preparations had been made on the island. When Nazi Germany began an airborne invasion in May 1941, Greek and other Allied forces, along with Cretan civilians, successfully defended the island. This became the final act of the German–Greek conflict. Campers use miniature soldiers, war games, reference books, documentaries, and detailed models to learn about this pivotal battle. To stimulate ideas for building their own dioramas and terrain board, they spend a day visiting the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center.
