SERIOUS BATTLE BEGUN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 186, 21 May 1941, Page 5

SERIOUS BATTLE BEGUN

NAZIS LAND IN CRETE TROOPS COME BY AIR j NEW ZEALANDERS IN DEFENCE

, (United Press Association—Copyright.) . (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 20. German parachute troops in Crete are reported officially. in a communique issued from British Headquarters at Cairo, which states: “ Early this morning German parachutists and air-borne troops made an attempt to gain a footing on the island of Crete. A number have already been accounted for. Mr Churchill announced in the House of Commons that a serious battle has begun in Crete. “In the last few days our reconnoitring aeroplanes noticed very heavy concentrations of German aircraft of all kinds in Southern Greece, and we have been attacking them night after night, inflicting considerable damage,” said the Prime Minister. “Tt is now clear that these concentrations were the prelude to an attack upon Crete. An air-home attack in great strength has been begun this morning and what cannot fail to be a serious battle has commenced and is_ developing. Our troops in .Crete are British, New Zealand and Greek, under the command of Major-General Freyberg. I feel confident that the i most stem and resolute resistance will be offered to the enemy.” —British Official Wireless.