In 1942 a commando raid was carried out in which the two airfields of Kalathos and Maritsa were attacked simultaneously (operation Anglo).

[3] Lewis Milestone's 1954 movie They Who Dare, starring Dirk Bogarde, Denholm Elliott and Akim Tamiroff, is based on Operation Anglo.

In September of 1943 Kalathos Airfield was the center of conflicts between Italian and German forces for the control of the island.

[5] In September-October 1944 Rhodes was evacuated by the Luftwaffe leaving just 120 officers and men behind as caretakers for Maritza and Gadurra.

Although the runway is still visible from the road, it is easily missed, as the surrounding area has been covered with olive trees.