The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, May 22, 1941. CRETE HELD FIRMLY.

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1941, Page 6

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, May 22, 1941. CRETE HELD FIRMLY.

Any who might have doubted the German ambition in the Middle East was to close • the Suez Canal, may now be convinced by the enemy’s own claim that a decisive battle for Suez has been begun with the attempt to capture the island of Crete, just south of Greece, where the Greek Government has taken up its quarters, and where New Zealand, British, and probably other troops are defending the territory under the command of Ma-jor-General Freyberg. The early news that the German parachutists had on Tuesday been all practically accounted for before evening, gave reason to expect that the whole enterprise could be foiled, and even though that enterprise has since proved to have been designed on a bigger scale than first indicated, the first day’s operations should be sufficient to assure similar success on the part of the defenders in the subsequent operations. On AVednesday the renewal of the invasion demonstrated that ar least the full air-borne division, at least seven thousand men, with a very large proportion of officers, were being employed, and that at least one hundred planes were in use, while the fact that landings from the sea are reported would go to indicate that boats have been in use as well as aircraft. The Germans admittedly have exploited aircraft in this war to an extent no other forces have ever done, using them successfully to land men in Norway and the Low Countries, as well as in North Africa. They also have carried a deal of war material in this manner, and are evidently persuaded that in the Middle East they will be able to repeat their past exploits. If is very doubtful, however, whether if will bo. possible, because the enemy will not be able to follow up air-borne forces across land under his own control. It is stated that even Crete could not be reinforced nor supplied did the Germans oecupt' it as against the big odds in men and equipment which meantime favour Iho defenders. The Cretan people are in addition organised to join in tin- defence 1 , and it. is staled they will show no quarter to Hie parachuters. An interesting item of news, following the Prime Minister's report that a number of Maori troops engaged in Greece had not yet' been, accounted for, is that of the , arrhtd in Crete of a Maori party I with other Anzaes, who are believed to have been the last of the forces of the Empire to elude J the Germans. It seems a reasonable inference,, when the, diffi-{ culties they face are borne ini mind, that the Germans’ Middle,'

Eastern campaign is one of desperation. They must regard the occupation of Crete either as a vital jumping off point, or as a grave obstacle, but even should they gain possession of the island, several, of the next stages of an offensive against the Canal would be even more, formidable. The statements that Soviet aid is in sight can be discounted, whereas Turkey cannot by any means be left yet out of account. She realises the nature of the German menace, and will, probably take proper defensive action if and when the occasion should arise. Such an occasion would doubtless be even a partial realisation of the Germans’ professed objective in their present enterprise. Before enemy forces of any dimensions could be operated in Iraq or thereabouts, it would bo, necessary to obtain a land route over which they would proceed from Europe into Asia. Turkey is more than unlikely to allow anything of the kind, and it only could be said that the Soviet was co-operating in a military alliance with Germany if the forces of the latter were to be given a passage by way of Russian territory into Iran, Iraq, and perhaps Syria. In Southern Iraq as well as in Palestine, the British have very considerable strength, and appear to contemplate an early entry into Syria, should the German menace become more defin ite in Asia Minor. It is not easy to foresee the probable course of developments, because Iraq remains meantime quiet enough, and the British are obviously strengthening their position, whilst the Arabs arc not yet being supported to any appreciable extent. The Germans are effectually held up in North Africa, and in the Eastern Mediterranean, they have yet done little beyond their drive into Greece to give any reason for real anxiety. They no doubt are lengthening their lines, and making their communications very much more difficult, while their resources in several important categories must be rapidly depleting. If Britain is conserving petrol, when she has so many sources on which to draw, it is certain that the enemy is in this regard situated in far more difficulty. In fact, if he is foiled in this endeavour to reach the oil fields of Iran and Iraq, the tide is very apt to turn against him, and supplies even, from Russian territory may dwindle. At anyrate, the Germans are finding Crete ’• harder nut to crack than any they have yet tackled, except the British positions in North Africa.