BATTLE IN CRETE

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1941, Page 5

BATTLE IN CRETE

AT CRITICAL STAGE

HARD GUERILLA CAMPAIGN

Enemy Held Apart

N.Z. TROOPS PROMINENT.

SECOND GERMAN DIVISION CALLED UP.

LONDON, May 22.

“It has been a hard day,” said Major-General Freyberg, in a cablegram to Mr Fraser, crisply and unemotionally outlining the operations on the second day of the invasion of Crete. He addecl: “Our troops are fighting superbly.”

Crisis at Hand

GENERAL FREYBERG’S MESSAGE.

(Received May 22, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 22. General Freyberg, in a cable to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt. Hon. Peter Fraser, said: “We are being hard pressed. Much depends upon the next few hours. Gen. Warning ON FRIDAY LAST. (Received May 22, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON. May 22. It can now be revealed that General Freyberg was aware of the imminence of a German attack on Crete at least as early as Friday last. On that day, two German airmen were shot down near Crete. They told Crete authorities that a major attack was being launched against the island within forty-eight hours. Necessary counter-measures were immediately taken. START OF INVASION By Parachutists OUTLINE OF PROCEDURE. [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, May 21. Further details are now available regarding the heavy German attack by air-borne invaders on Crete. The actual invasion began early on May 20, and continued throughout the day. It was preceded by attacks which were continuous throughout May 19. . The invasion from the air began with the dropping of parachutists. Later, gliders and troop-can ying aircraft were employed to rand troops. It is reported that some parachutists were dressed in New Zealand battle-dress. Landings were made in part of the island, which, historically, has always been the line of approach, namely, the western part of Crete, and some also landed in the Harakleon area in the north .of the island, further east. It was also reported that attempts have been made at landings by sea in boats The attack is expected to continue to-day (Wednesday). The situation is in hand, and it can be stated there is no lack of control over any large part ,of\the island. There is. reason to think that at least one air-borne division is involved, in addition to the parachutists. Such division consists of about 7000 men, but does not normally include any parachute troops. The procedure would be first to put down parachutists. If successful, they would signal for the air-borne troops, machines and gliders to land. There is no information to suggest that any light tanks have been dropped, or that they were included in the German air-borne division. It appears that landings from the air continued until dusk last night. No information is. yet made public as to the numbers rounded up, or put out of action after landing. It is, however, known that a considerable number of troop carriers were intercepted and shot down. The outstanding fact is that the situation is in hand. '

The Second Attack

STARTED TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

RUGBY, May 21

Mr. Churchill, in the Commons, said: “In the Suda Bay area, a further air-borne attack commenced at 4.30 p.m. yesterday. About 3,000 men were dropped, and by 6.30 p.m. the greater part of these were accounted fob. The method of attack was by dive-bombers and Messerschmitts, followed by gliders and parachutes. “In the Heraclion-Rathymno areas, the attacks began at 5.30 p.m- by parachutes. Troop-carrying aircraft many of which crashed, also landed. There are no details yet. Of course, we must expect the fighting to continue with increasing severity.” Strenuous Fighting ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. GERMANS USE SMALL BOATS. LONDON, May 21. Military circles in Cairo late tonight said that fairly-strenuous fight, ing is still going on in Crete. It is learned in London that the Germans did not attempt naval landings, but attempted a landing from small boats. The places where such landings are possible are well-known to the British, who have been there for months, and to the Greek Command, making successful landings on any large-scale most hazarddus. AUSTRALIAN TROOPS IN CRETE. MELBOURNE, May 22. The Minister for the Army (Mr Spender) stated that a substantial number of Australian troops landed in Crete rafter evacuation from Greece. They were under the command of Major-General Freyberg. Recent despatches did not fully revea 1 the extension to which these troops had been relieved by British units.