THE VICTORY AT CRETE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23349, 7 June 1941, Page 9

THE VICTORY AT CRETE

German Assessment Of Value MOSCOW CRITICISM OF DEFENCES LONDON, June 5. A Zurich message says that the German "Frankfurter Zeitung," in a leading article states: “The first days in Crete brought many heavy losses to our troops. Our Stukas decided the battle, but we must not 'over-estimate the success in Crete. This victory, besides being a strategic defeat for Britain, is not decisive as far as the outcome of the war is concerned. “The British Fleet remains a war instrument of paramount importance. We have had experience of this sharp weapon in parts of the ocean which the Luftwaffe could not reach. Crete proved that the British Fleet is no coward. It fought with extreme determination against the Luftwaffe, and therefore Crete must not cause anyone in Germany to underestimate Britain’s strength.” The Berlin radio stated that the British lost 5000 killed in Crete. A message from Moscow says that M. Ivanoff, a member of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, writing to the Moscow paper “Trud,” stated that the Battle of Crete showed the need for thorough preparation and consolidation for landing operations, and defence against enemy landing operations. The, British Military Command in the Near East actually held Crete for six months, but neglected to fortify properly an important strategic position. No coastal or anti-aircraft defences of any special value were established there, and there wore only three open, unprotected aerodromes on the island. The withdrawal of the Air Force left the British troons and the naval base at Suda Bay almost without protection.