The Akroiri Peninsula Defense

The German assault on the mountainous island of Crete called for airborne landings in four separate areas. But due to inadequate air transport capacities, two airborne assault waves were needed. One objective for the first wave was the capture of …

1941-05-20

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The German assault on the mountainous island of Crete called for airborne landings in four separate areas. But due to inadequate air transport capacities, two airborne assault waves were needed. One objective for the first wave was the capture of Canea, the capital city of Crete. To clear the way for the main regimental landing, Captain Altmann and a company of glider borne troops were given the task of landing west of Canea on the Akrotiri peninsula and neutralizing the anti-aircraft positions located there. Board Confi

Profitilias, 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

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