Battle Round Malemi

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 123, 27 May 1941, Page 7

Battle Round Malemi

HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING

Enemy Bombing Slackens

LONDON, May 26.

In the battle for Crete, the Germans, with the aid of air-borne troops and under the cover of intense air bombardment, have penetrated the Imperial positions in western Crete. Today's Cairo communique states that New Zealand troops immediately counter-attacked and that fighting of the utmost severity developed. The communique adds that the forts and aerodromes at Heraclion (Candia) and Retimo are still in British hands and that at these points there is no change. There are, however, enemy troops in the neighbourhood.

A Cairo message indicates that the battle around Malemi is still raging, and that the German High Command is showing an utter disregard for the heavy losses suffered by their troops. In some places there is hand-to-hand fighting with bayonets. Later messages from Reuters correspondent show there has been a slackening in the enemy bombing. It appears, too, that the Germans are landing fewer parachute troops.

Another report says that the Germans, at least for the time being, have discontinued the employment of glider troops, and it is pointed out that this may be due to the losses that they have suffered. It is confirmed that Royal Marines are with the British forces.

Although it is possible that German aeroplanes have landed tanks in Crete, there is no definite evidence that they have yet made contact with the British troops.

It is learnt in London that small Greek fishing boats, each carrying between 50 and 60 German soldiers, have succeeded in making the run to Crete, and that the German troops have been able to disembark. This is recognised in London as quite possible, but it is certain that the enemy has not succeeded in making landings of any consequence from the sea.

DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY

PLANES

On Sunday and during Saturday night at least 24 German aircraft of all types were destroyed in Crete by bombers and fighters of the Royal Air Force, and a number of other German aircraft were severely damaged.

This announcement was made in tonight's air communique from the Middle East, which states that the principal target of the British bombers and fighters was the aerodrome at Malemi and adjacent fields used as landing grounds for German gliders and troop-carriers. The British planes caused great destruction. One troopcarrier was hit while landing, and another was set on fire while taxiing. One Royal Air Force plane shot down a German transport plane into Suda Bay and damaged another, which was last seen with smoke pouring from it. German aircraft destroyed on the ground included several fighters.

-Photographs confirm that, in addition to the German machines completely destroyed, many others have been badly damaged. All the British aircraft returned safely.

These results by the Royal Air Force are the more remarkable because of the long distances the planes are compelled to fly before reaching the island.