BATTLE OF CRETE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 119, 22 May 1941, Page 9

BATTLE OF CRETE

Fighting Continues

EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN SEVERITY

Serious Enemy Losses

LONDON, May 21,

It is believed that the Germans have been using a full air-borne division of about 7000 men, complete with artillery, anti-tank weapons, a machine-gun company, motor-cycle dispatch-rid_rs, and medical and other personnel. Today's communique from Cairo says that the enemy losses in Crete yesterday were serious, while the British casualties were comparatively slight.

More details of the fighting were' given by the Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Churchill, when speaking in j the House of Commons this afternoon. He said that most of the German troops dropped from the air in the Suda Bay region were accounted for within two hours. The number of German parachutists involved yesterday, which was at first understood to be 1500, is now known to j have been about 3000. Mr. Churchill I intimated that the situation was well] in hand, and his assurance of a suc-j cessful rounding-up of most of the first wave of parachutists dropped yesterday was greeted with cheers from all parts of the House. "In the Suda Bay area further airborne attacks commenced at 4.30 yesterday afternoon," he said. "About 3000 men were dropped, and by 6.30; o'clock the greater part of these had been accounted for. Fighting continued, and the situation was reported to be in hand at 9 o'clock in the evening. The method of attack was twofold —that is, dive-bombers and Messerschmitts, followed by gliders and parachutists." Mr. Churchill said that in the Heraclion and Retimo areas the attacks began at 5.30 p.m. by parachute and troop-carrying aircraft many of which crashed. "Of course, we must expect the fighting to continue, and to increase in severity," he added. WEARING OF BRITISH UNIFORM. A member asked the Prime Minister whether there was confirmation that the German parachutists ' who were dropped were wearing New Zealand •battler-dress. Mr. Churchill answered: ,aTes. I have another report that those landed at Retimo were wearing English battle-dress. I see that the Germans have denied it." The member then asked whether those dressed in British uniforms would be dealt with according to international law. Mr. Churchill replied: "I am not sufficiently informed of the exact circumstances. I think we must leave a certain amount to the discretion of those on the spot." The Prime Minister's statement that the German parachutists descended in Crete in British uniforms has evoked threats from Berlin spokesmen. They are saying that if the statement is made an excuse for the shooting of German parachutists "in any way contrary to international law, ten-fold reprisals will be exacted from British prisoners of war now in Germany. It is pointed out in London that German military writers and other experts hay. frequently subscribed to the view that the use of enemy uniforms for deceptive operations is contrary to international law. Attempted landings in Crete other than those by air are indicated in reports received today in London, where

The Battle of Crete has continued throughout the day, and latest reports indicate that the British, New Zealand, and Greek troops on the island are still fighting* and rounding up the German forces who have been landed from the air.

it is believed that boat landings have also figured in the German operations. Further attempted landings by both air and sea are anticipated.

Today's communique from Cairo says that at one point a German detachment which succeeded in penetrating the outskirts of Canea was quickly surrounded and accounted for.

R.A.F. blows at the source of the German attacks on Crete are mentioned in today's R.A.F. communique from the Middle East, which says: "Last night our heavy bombers carried out intensive raids on German-occu-pied aerodromes in Greece."

It was learnt in. London tonight that earlier reports that the Germans had made a naval landing in Crete were, inaccurate, although it is understood that they attempted to land on the island from small boats.