Revenge at Kastelli

A number of Greek regiments, understrength and poorly armed but with grim determination after the defeats of the past month, were on Crete. On the day of the German paratroop assault, one such – the 1st, numbering a bit over 1000 men – was stationed at Kastelli near the …

1941-05-20

45

A number of Greek regiments, understrength and poorly armed but with grim determination after the defeats of the past month, were on Crete. On the day of the German paratroop assault, one such – the 1st, numbering a bit over 1000 men – was stationed at Kastelli near the western end of the island to protect its small harbor. German troops landed east of the village, and north and south of the main road nearby. Needing no urging from the New Zealand officers attached, the Greeks sallied out to meet the enemy.

Kastelli, 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.

Greek

German

Scenario Type = Standard