Stand For New Zealand

Securing Maleme airfield gave the Germans the initiative. Heavily reinforced, they began advancing eastwards towards Canea, while a sizeable force threatened the New Zealanders’ flank from Prison Valley. In an effort to stem the German advance in that sector, on 25 May Brig Kippenberger directed the now famous counter-attack by …

1941-05-25

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Securing Maleme airfield gave the Germans the initiative. Heavily reinforced, they began advancing eastwards towards Canea, while a sizeable force threatened the New Zealanders’ flank from Prison Valley. In an effort to stem the German advance in that sector, on 25 May Brig Kippenberger directed the now famous counter-attack by his makeshift 10th Bde that recaptured the hilltop village of Galatas at bayonet-point. This proved only a temporary tactical success; increasing pressure by the Germans, who made good use of their command of the air by bombing the defenders almost continuously, obliged the Allied forces to withdraw to the east to avoid being surrounded.

Galatas, 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.

German

New Zealand

Scenario Type = Starter Kit