Strong Anzac Force Fighting Germans
HEAVY ENEMY LOSSES Navy Prevents All Attempts To Make Landings From Sea (United Press Association—Copyright— Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 23 A large body of the A.I.F.— veterans of the western desert and the Greek campaigns are now fighting in Crete. They are under the command of Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C., and are fighting as an Anzac force. Large numbers of Germans have been killed accidentally as a result of planes crashing or by falling into trees. Parachutes opening instantly from a low altitude swing violently like pendulums and are most difficult to hit. It takes about 1 0 minutes for the men to free themselves and pick" up their packs, guns and ammunition. The Empire troops find that this is the best time to attack. It is authoritatively stated that German claims of losses inflicted on British ships in the Mediterranean are exaggerated. The British Navy has succeeded in defeating all attempts to land forces in Crete from the sea. A big convoy going to Crete was scattered and driven north. Italian ships were seen picking up survivors. Heavy aerial attacks in comparatively confined waters have prevented the British ships from chasing the enemy to his lairs. Navy's Tough Proposition The navy is facing a tough proposition because it must carry on a ceaseless fight in close proximity to enemy aerial bases. The Germans are using powerful formations of divebombers and it is almost inevitable that there must be some losses under such circumstances. Naval anti-aircraft guns have taken toll of enemy bombers. It is authoritatively stated that the Germans had made no seaborne landings in Crete prior to dusk on May 22. Landings from the air continue, and the Germans still hold Malemi aerodrome, which apparently is the only sizable foothold they have gained for any length of time. It is pointed out that British troop carriers would be forced to land' in the face of almost unopposed enemy bombing if British reinforcement by air was attempted. The British position regarding ammunition supplies is regarded as more favourable than the enemy's. It is believed that British troops in Crete are suffering a minimum of casualties from dive bombing because the nature of the country affects the accuracy of bombing. The British forces are well dug in. King George of the Hellenes is believed to be still in Crete. Massive Dive-Bombing By Enemy As the battle for Crete continues and develops from hour to hour, no precise indication of the navy's part in the stout defence is possible, says a British Official Wireless message. Some indication of the value of the naval contribution can, however, be gathered from the fact that during three days' fighting there has been no seaborne invasion of Crete. Convoys which, by their size, can be taken as evidence of Germany's intention to support to the fullest extent the operations by parachute troops and other airborne troops have been dispersed J~" no J unscathed—but it is pointed out that such successes cannot be achieved without some damage to the defending forces, though the German claims of damage inflicted on the British forces are exaggerated. The massive attacks by German dive-bombers which are taking place are necessarily rendered more difficult of interception in confined waters by lack of fighter air support, caused, in its turn, by lack of aerodromes in depth.
.. Though undoubtedly the operations in general constitute a tough proposition" for the defending forces, it can be stated that the situation is as satisfactory as it was yesterday afternoon.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19410524.2.51.1
Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 9
Word Count
590Strong Anzac Force Fighting Germans Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 9
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Auckland Star. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries.