The German airborne assault if Crete, although successful in terms of
conquest, came at a terrific cost in lives, and led to the sharp decline of
the Luftwaffe's parachute arm as a surprise weapon. German airborne
forces were never to launch an operation of this scale again.
conquest, came at a terrific cost in lives, and led to the sharp decline of
the Luftwaffe's parachute arm as a surprise weapon. German airborne
forces were never to launch an operation of this scale again.
Crete, a mountainous island from mainland Greece and lying in the eastern Mediterraneans, was from late sole piece of Greek territory left in Allied hands. One of the threats posed by Crete to the Germans was its key resource for the formidable presence of the Royal Navy at Suda Bay, to the east of the then capital, Khania. It was one of the Mediterranean's largest natural harbours and vital as a refueling center. British aircraft could also block naval convoys crossing the Mediterranean to supply Rommel's forces in North Africa. In addition, Hitler foresaw Crete as a potentially valuable fortress guarding the Balkan flank of his projected Operation. the invasion of the Soviet Union. Hitler ordered the invasion of Create to be designated Operation. However, due to logistical problems, the date was postponed.
PARATROOP WARFARE
General Kurt Student, begetter was a strong advocate of aerial warfare and had pressed the case vigorously for an airborne assault on Crete. But Hitler had considered an air campaign too dangerous and had predicted an unacceptably heavy toll of casualties. However, following pressure from the chief heraklion, Rethymnon and Maleme, as well as at Suda Bay and the port of Khania. the island;s defense garrison of (Australian, New Zealand), British and local troops was subjected to familiar heavy bombing and the scream of stukas. What followed a few hours later was a major invasion by elite airborne forces. the assault was in two waves: the first launched against Maleme and Khania to the west, the second against Rethymnon and Heraklion, further to the east. these delivered paratroopers and airborne infanstry on and around Maleme with bombers pounding New Zealand troop positions. General Student divided his forces into three battle groups on Khania and the prominent hunk of the peninsula. he would thus be given both an airfield and harbour where the battle line could be reinforced, the main object being the capture of the capital.
General Kurt Student, begetter was a strong advocate of aerial warfare and had pressed the case vigorously for an airborne assault on Crete. But Hitler had considered an air campaign too dangerous and had predicted an unacceptably heavy toll of casualties. However, following pressure from the chief heraklion, Rethymnon and Maleme, as well as at Suda Bay and the port of Khania. the island;s defense garrison of (Australian, New Zealand), British and local troops was subjected to familiar heavy bombing and the scream of stukas. What followed a few hours later was a major invasion by elite airborne forces. the assault was in two waves: the first launched against Maleme and Khania to the west, the second against Rethymnon and Heraklion, further to the east. these delivered paratroopers and airborne infanstry on and around Maleme with bombers pounding New Zealand troop positions. General Student divided his forces into three battle groups on Khania and the prominent hunk of the peninsula. he would thus be given both an airfield and harbour where the battle line could be reinforced, the main object being the capture of the capital.
Receiving no extra support, he attacked the invaders on his own initiative but could not contend with the overwhelming superiority of the paratroopers holding the hill. His small force was soon beaten back and his tanks immobilized. A promise of reinforcements came to nothing and Andrew was given permission to withdraw. unopposed and control of the airfield passed to the Germans. Student, more determined than ever to consolidate the Maleme bridgehead, flew in over the next two days a total of mountain troops and paras. he encountered fierce local resistance. but hte Germans beat it off and the Stukas went in. New Xealanders under Colonel Howard Kippenberge had some success with a counterattack near Galatas, Lying to the southwest of Khania. But this simply delayed the German advance and Kippenberger had no resources to recover.
AFTERMATH
Hitler, severely shaken by figures for casualties in Crete, informed Student that he considered that days of the parachutist over, since its arm was no longer a surprise weapon. During the battle for Crete, and British troops had died, a similar number were wounded and around 12,000 were taken prisoners. The full extent of being killed and missing having perished in the parachute drop alone. Subsequent airborne operations by the Germans were strictly limited. As it turned out, the occupation of Crete proved a mixed blessing. The Cretans put up unremitting guerrilla resistance, forcing the Germans to garrison more troops than they wished, thereby making them unavailable elsewhere.
AFTERMATH
Hitler, severely shaken by figures for casualties in Crete, informed Student that he considered that days of the parachutist over, since its arm was no longer a surprise weapon. During the battle for Crete, and British troops had died, a similar number were wounded and around 12,000 were taken prisoners. The full extent of being killed and missing having perished in the parachute drop alone. Subsequent airborne operations by the Germans were strictly limited. As it turned out, the occupation of Crete proved a mixed blessing. The Cretans put up unremitting guerrilla resistance, forcing the Germans to garrison more troops than they wished, thereby making them unavailable elsewhere.
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