Churchill Reports Development of Serious Battle

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 120, 22 May 1941, Page 7

Churchill Reports Development of Serious Battle

Anzacs and Greeks in Action Nazis Use New Zealand Uniforms United Press Assn —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyripriit LONDON, May 20. German parachute troops disguised in New Zealand battle-dross have made an attempt to invade the island of Crete, seat of the Greek Government. What is described as a serious battle has begun, but, according to a statement made by Mr. Churchill in the House of Commons to-day, the position is by no means out cf hand. Crete is defended by British, Greek, and New Zealand troops under the command of Major-General B. C. Freyberg, V.C. There is no information as to the exact size of the defending forces in Crete, but it is known that there are two divisions of the Greek Army on the island. German troop-carrying planes came in low over the mountains just after dawn to-day and troops were seen to bale out. The main objective was the capture of Malemi, but this failed. The main aerodrome on the island is at Jlalemi. The arrival of German paratroops in Crete was reported officially in a communique issued from British General Headquarters at Cairo, which stated: “Early this morning, German parachutists and air-borne troops made an attempt to secure a footing on the island of Crete, a number have al.eady been accounted for.” Mr. Churchill announced in the House of Commons that a aerious battle had been begun at Crete. “In the last few days,” he added, “our reconnoitring aeroplanes had noticed very heavy concentrations of German aircraft of all kinds in Southern Greece, and we have been attacking them night after night, inflicting considerable damage. It is now clear that these concentrations were the prelude to an attack on Crete. !An air-borne attack in great strength has been begun this morning, and what cannot fail to be a serious battle has begun and is developing. “Our troops in Crete are British, New Zealand, and Greek, under the command of Major-General Freyberg. I feel confident that most stern and resolute resistance will be offered the enemy.”

Mr. Churchill said that most of the enemy parachute troops had been accounted for, but there were some in one section of the island who had not been rounded up. The position could not be regarded in any sense as out of hand.

It would appear, said Mr. Churchill, that 1500 German parachute troops were used, and that they were dressed in the uniform of the New Zealand armed forces. They were landed by parachutes, troop-carrying planes, and gliders. The attempted invasion was preceded by bombing * attacks around Suda Bay, and a military hospital between Canea and Mr.lsmi had been taken but had been recaptured by our troops. Mr. Churchill added that the latest message stated there had been continuous reconnaissance flights over Crete accompanied by sporadic machine-gunning, chiefly against the antiaircraft defences. The Heroclion aerodrome had been bombed, he said, but there had been no landing so far. In preparation for to-day’s attack, enemy aircraft carried out a sustained attack throughout yesterday on aerodromes in Crete. A hospital at Canea was bombed and machine-gunned, and some casualties were caused to the hospital staff. Later reports disclose that, on May 16, much greater damage was done to enemy aircraft over Crete than was at first reported Five aircraft were destroyed in addition to those already claimed Measures taken by the E.A.F. to counter the latest German moves in the Eastern Mediterranean are described in to-day ’l* Middle East communique, which says: “During the night of May 18/19, heavy raids were made on German-occupied aerodromes in Greece. Three very violent explosions and a number of fires u ere caused at Hassani. At Eleusis, one building received a direct hit and several fires were started.” There is already comment in London regarding the action of Germany in using troops dressed in uniform other than that of her own forces. Such action is against international law and, in resorting to it, the German trosps forfeit the protection to which ordinary troops are entitled under international law. The opinion is expressed that they should be clrssosd as spies.