CRETE BATTLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20570, 2 June 1941, Page 6

CRETE BATTLE

FIERCEST OF WAR PLANES THE KEY BRITISH HANDICAP LACK OF NEAR BASES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Oilieial Wireless.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, June I. The evacuation of Crete is announced in a War Office communique, which states: “After 12 days of what undoubtedly has been the fiercest fighting in the war, it was decided to withdraw our forces from Crete. “Although tiie losses we inffictcd on the enemy’s troops and aircraft hajfco been enormous, it became clear tha’i our naval and military .forces could not be expected to operate indefinitely in and near Crete without more air support than could be provided from our bases in Africa. “Some 15.000 of our troops have been withdrawn to Egypt, but it must be admitted that our losses have been severe.” Military circles commenting on the Crete evacuation stress the important factor which contributed to the necessity for the withdrawal, namely, the far greater distances of British air bases from the island than the German.

Regarding German reports that the Allied commander, Major-General B. C. Freyberg, was killed, it is reaffirmed that he is alive and with his troops.