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Crete 1941

Author: Peter Antill

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-11-20

Total Pages: 266

ISBN-13: 1782007105

Operation Mercury, the German airborne assault on the island of Crete in May 1941, was the first strategic use of airborne forces in history. The assault began on 20 May, with landings near the island's key airports, and reinforcements the next day allowed the German forces to capture one end of the runway at Maleme. By 24 May, the Germans were being reinforced by air on a huge scale and on 1 June Crete surrendered. This book describes how desperately close the battle had been and explains how German losses so shocked the Führer that he never again authorised a major airborne operation.

The Struggle for Crete, 20 May - 1 June 1941

Author: I. McD. G. Stewart

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 556

ISBN-13:

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Providing an account of the struggle for Crete during World War II, this book contains some of the author's own experiences as a Medical Officer at the time of the battle. The author describes the leadership, the geography, the communications problems and the delayed counter-attack.

The German Occupation Rule on Crete 1941-1945

Author: Marlen von Xylander

Publisher: LIT Verlag

Published: 2023-10-01

Total Pages: 114

ISBN-13: 3643966466

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In contrast to the Greek mainland, the Nazis occupied most of Crete between 1941 - 45. After the German troops' defeat in North Africa, Crete was turned into a fortress. This study examines the goals, methods and effectiveness of the German occupation policy, the reactions of the Cretan administration and of the population in particular, and also describes the opponents' combat operations. The study is based not only on written papers, documents and files of Greek, Cretan, British and German origin, but also on letters, manuscripts, expos'es and interviews by and with contemporary witnesses.

The Fall of Crete 1941: Was Freyberg Culpable?

Author: Major James Bliss

Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing

Published: 2015-11-06

Total Pages: 221

ISBN-13: 1786250276

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On 20 May 1941, Generaloberst Kurt Student’s Luftwaffe XI Fliegerkorps conducted the first operational airborne invasion in history to seize Crete. Major-General Bernard Cyril Freyberg VC, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, commanded the British forces defending the island. Freyberg, forewarned of the details of the invasion, possessed numerical superiority over the enemy, but was defeated within twelve days. Freyberg, later blamed for the defeat due to his perceived faulty defensive dispositions, was dealt a losing hand from the start. His troops consisted of those that could be rescued from the failed Greek Campaign and lacked sufficient weapons, communications, and transport to conduct the defense. Despite the best efforts of the Royal Navy, overwhelming Luftwaffe air superiority in the absence of the Royal Air Force isolated Crete and the relentless drive of the attacking German forces captured it. Poor tactical leadership by Freyberg’s subordinate commanders and their failure to prosecute his operational plan led to defeat by the barest margin. While a tactical loss, Freyberg’s destruction of the 7th Flieger Division resulted in Hitler never considering an operational airborne assault again. Freyberg, although accepting responsibility for the defeat, should not be held entirely culpable for the loss of Crete.

Battle of Crete

Author: Albert Palazzo

Publisher: Big Sky Publishing

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780980320411

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Between 20 May and 1 June 1941 the Second World War came to the Greek island of Crete. The Commonwealth defenders consisted of Australian, New Zealand and British refugees from the doomed Greek Campaign who had not recovered from defeat.

Wavell in the Middle East, 1939–1941

Author: Harold E. Raugh

Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

Published: 2013-04-08

Total Pages: 534

ISBN-13: 0806189800

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This masterly study of generalship covers two years of intense operational activity during which Field Marshal Wavell, as Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, was at one point conducting no fewer than five campaigns simultaneously. Two of those campaigns will stand in history as truly great victories, and one—the campaign in Greece in 1941—as a source of endless controversy. Harold E. Raugh, Jr., has drawn upon previously unavailable official documents and interviewed or corresponded with a wide range of soldiers who served under Wavell. Raugh shows how Wavell’s early experience as a soldier and budding commander were reflected in his later decision making and shrewd military vision. Although Wavell’s charismatic personality endeared him to all who served under him and earned him the profound respect of his fellows, and even of the enemy, his natural taciturnity brought him into conflict with his political masters. In spite of his enormous military achievements at one of the most critical periods in his country’s history, Wavell has been undeservedly relegated to obscurity—a historical oversight that Raugh corrects with this richly detailed book.

The Hutchinson Atlas of Battle Plans

Author: John Pimlott

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 9781579582036

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This book contains battle plans with their actual outcome, from the Romans to World War II.Each in-depth essay on a particular battle is complemented by original maps in the service of "before and after", producing fresh insights into important battles that have, in many cases, dictated the course of history.The battles analyzed, by a team of distinguished military historians, are: the classic ploys -- Cannae, Chancellorsville, Alamein; surprise -- Crecy, Cambrai, Blitzkrieg; misunderstanding -- Waterloo, Balaklava, Gallipoli; mission impossible -- Kunersdorf, First Day of Somme, Battle of the Bulge; underestimating the enemy -- Austerlitz, Isandawana, Singapore; narrow margins -- Gettysburg, First Battle of Ypres, Crete.

A Bibliography of British History, 1914-1989

Author: Keith Robbins

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 962

ISBN-13: 9780198224969

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Containing over 25,000 entries, this unique volume will be absolutely indispensable for all those with an interest in Britain in the twentieth century. Accessibly arranged by theme, with helpful introductions to each chapter, a huge range of topics is covered. There is a comprehensiveindex.