Independent Greece has only slowly acquired autonomy over its 'natural' territory. The islands of the Dodecanese, including Astypalaia, did not come under Greece governance until after WW2.

The island chain was controlled by Italy, and so WW2 in the Aegean intimately involved Italy as well as Germany. Italy was sometimes an enemy, and sometimes a buffer against the Nazis.

In the northeast part of the island is this set of buildings left over from an Italian base dating to WW2.

It does seem to have been 'repurposed' as there were signs some enterprising farmer is using it as a shelter for his goat herd.