Airdrop over Heraklion

News of the German Paratrooper landings reached Brigadier Chappell's headquarters at about the same time the first Fallschirmjägers were landing in Heraklion. Under orders from Chappell, the 2nd Leicester attacked out of the town and into Buttercup Field before the …

1941-05-20

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News of the German Paratrooper landings reached Brigadier Chappell's headquarters at about the same time the first Fallschirmjägers were landing in Heraklion. Under orders from Chappell, the 2nd Leicester attacked out of the town and into Buttercup Field before the Germans could regroup. To the east of town, elements of the 1st Fallschirmjäger Regiment had landed near Ames Ridge and quickly set up a defensive position; along the coast, others began moving toward the airfield and into the outskirts of Heraklion. Not knowing the exact strength nor position of his enemy, Chappell counterattacked cautiously, while trying to remain on the defensive.

Heraklion, Crete

The Battle of Crete was fought during the Second World War on the Greek island of Crete. It began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany began an airborne invasion of Crete. Greek and other Allied forces, along with Cretan civilians, defended the island. After one day of fighting, the Germans had suffered heavy casualties and the Allied troops were confident that they would defeat the invasion. The next day, through communication failures, Allied tactical hesitation and German offensive operations, Maleme Airfield in western Crete fell, enabling the Germans to land reinforcements and overwhelm the defensive positions on the north of the island. Allied forces withdrew to the south coast. More than half were evacuated by the British Royal Navy and the remainder surrendered or joined the Cretan Resistance. The defence of Crete evolved into a costly naval engagement; by the end of the campaign the Royal Navy's eastern Mediterranean strength had been reduced to only two battleships and three cruisers.

Wikipedia: Battle of Crete

German

British / Greek

Game Type: Standard

Board Type: Countryside

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