UNABATED FURY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 127, 31 May 1941, Page 9

UNABATED FURY

Struggle In Crete

DEFENCE SITUATION

Very Delicate And Serious

Reports that Italian troops have landed at the eastern end of Crete are not confirmed. It is recognised in London that the Italians would want to be associated with the campaign. This would be due to two motives—the first political, and the second the natural habits of the jackal—and in these circumstances it is considered that the report might be true. Bombers of the R.A.F. on Wednesday night made a second raid on the island of Scarpanto, which lies bex tween Crete and Rhodes. Further German reinforcements, the Cairo communique states, have reached the island by air. It is reported from Cairo that Heraclion (Candia) is still in British hands, though the Germans claim to have taken it. Every report shows that the Germans have gained their successes at the cost of very heavy sacrifices, both in planes and in highly-trained men. AIR ENCOUNTERS. A Cairo communique says that longrange R.A.F. fighters have encountered German planes between Crete and the North African coast. Yesterday they shot down two of them, a Dornier and a Junkers 88, and damaged others so badly that ;t is considered unlikely that they got back. The military spokesmen do not conceal the gravity of the situation on land. As a result of the British withdrawal east of Suda Bay, the Germans have got more room in the west of the island.

Observers who have just returned to Egypt from Crete say that if a British air force had been operating there the Germans could have been held.

One message from Cairo says that Crete has been; held by the garrison and a few reinforcements. The Germans have been able to bring in fresh troops all the time. All observers pay tribute to the work of the Navy in preventing the landing of sea-borne troops and in the taking off of wounded men in destroyers and small boats. One man walked 70 miles before he was taken off.

In the early days of the German attack before they evacuated the aerodromes in Crete the R.A.F. pilots had a terrific time, and one pilot said they had a man-size job getting the planes into the air to prevent them being destroyed on the ground. One Hurricane pilot was last seen with 20 Messerschmitts on his tail, and another pilot who had never flown a Hurricane took one up against hordes of Germans. He brought down five before he lost his life against overwhelming odds. TRIBUTE TO THE MAORIS. In spite of the absence of air support, the British land forces were willing to take on the Germans at odds of three to one, although the Germans were well equipped and were constantly being reinforced by fresh troops.

Men arriving back in Egypt paid a tribute to the fight put up by the Maoris. One said: "They had their chance this time, and they fought amazingly and with the best of spirits."

Both the Germans and the Italians said tonight that the occupation of Crete is not an aim in itself. Signor Gayda, writing in the ' "Giornale d'ltalia," says that it is only a phase of the large-scale Mediterranean battle. The official German news agency said that the occupation of Crete would change the Mediterranean situation.

A Scottish gunner spoke of the Germans' complete disregard for losses, and said it was quite clear that Hitler was prepared to go on with the slaughter of his men indefinitely, to try to prove that air occupation of the island was possible.

LONDON, May 30. The battle of Crete has now entered on its eleventh day with unabated fury. There is no indication of any improvement in the situation, which is described as very delicate and serious.

A Cairo communique states that the British troops have again exacted a heavy toll of the enemy, but yesterday, in spite of their ever-mounting losses, German air-borne reinforcements continue to reach the island and the defenders were intensively dive-bombed throughout the day.

Further adjustments have been made in the position held by the Empire troops. The extent of these adjustments is not stated, but it was announced yestercfay that the forces had withdrawn to positions east of Suda Bay.