Fierce Guerilla Warfare in Crete

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 121, 23 May 1941, Page 7

Fierce Guerilla Warfare in Crete

Human Cargoes Spilled on Northern Coasts Airfields and Harbours Still in British Hands United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Thursday, 11.30 p.m. LONDON, May 22. No official communique has yet been issued about yesterday’s lighting, but messages from Cairo correspondents say it continued at full blast throughout the day. The Daily Mail’s correspondent says from dawn to dusk on the second day in succession wave after wave of German troopcarriers and gliders protected by dive-bombers spilled out human cargoes along the whole of Crete’s northern coast and inland among the olive groves where there was bitter hand-to-hand lighting. Nowhere have the invaders captured the island’s airfields or harbours. The lighting is guerilla warfare, man against man. Germans, New Zealanders, Britons and Greeks are battling singly or in small companies. The situation last night was described in some messages as obscure partly because the Germans are reported to be landing men in British uniforms in Greek areas and Greek uniforms in British areas. Some of the German parachutists are using a new type of parachute dropped from only 200 feet, meaning only a matter of seconds before landing and making it difficult to shoot them down. Nevertheless the British lire has been most effective between the time they landed and the time they ran to where guns were landed from other parachutes. Each parachute is coloured red, white or bi.ck according to the wearer’s function. It is perhaps significant that the German High Command has not yet issued any communique. General Freyberg s cable to Mr. Fraser said: “We are being hard-pressed and much depends oil the next few hours.” No word about Crete has yet appeared in the German, Italian or French press. The Times says the situation in Crete is apparently in hand, but that docs not imply that the Germans have not established comparatively strong detachments in certain points. The Germans supposedly count on completing the subjection of Crete or at least assuring final success in three or four days. To drag it out longer would involve a problem of ammunition and food supply which would be very difficult without the aid of shipping. The question whether we will be able to afford the troops the benefit of fighter planes is vital. \\ ith a measure of air support, especially fighter support, the chances seem strongly in favour of the defences. The task of holding Crete without air support would be more difficult though even than it would not be insuperable. it can now be revealed that General Freyberg was aware of the imminence of the German attack on Crete at least as early as last triday. On that day two German airmen shot down near Crete told the Crete authorities that a major attaek was being launched against the island within 48 hours. The necessary counter-measures were immediately taken. A Cairo message says King Farouk received Mr. Fraser accompanied by Sir Miles Lampson (British Ambassador).

Earlier Messages NO LACK OF CONTROL OVER ISLAND LONDON, May 21. Attempts by German paratroops to invade Crete, which is defended by British, Greek and New Zealand troops under Major-General Freyberg, V.C., continued throughout to-day. Fighting is still going on and the invaders are being rounded up. It is now known that a full air-borne division, consisting of 7000 men, together with artillery, anti-tank guns, machine-guns and motor-cycles are being used. The attack is expected to continue to-day. The situation is in hand, and it can be stated that there is no lack of control over any large part of the island. The actual invasion began early on Tuesday morning and continued throughout the day. It was preceded by bombing attacks which were continuous throughout Monday. The invasion from the air began with the dropping of paratroops. Later, gliders and troop-carrying aircraft were employed to land troops. It is reported that some of the paratroops were dressed in New Zealand battledress. The landings were made in the part of the island which historically has always been the line of approach—namely, the western part of Crete —ana some also landed in the Heracleon area, in the north of the island and further east. It is also reported that attempts havo been made at landings by sea in boats. It appears that landings from the air continued until dusk on Tuesday night. No information has yet been made public as to the numbers rounded up or put out of action after lauding. It is, however, known that a considerable number of troop-carriers were intercepted and shot down. It is reported in London without confirmation that naval landings were also attempted at Crete, but the situation is in hand. “The Navy is participating* in the Crete operations,” said Mr. Alexander. ‘ ‘ There, once more, it is doing what it can. To-day perhaps is tho most crucial of the war. ’ ’ “One of the greatest battles in the course of the war,” is how the First Lord of ihe Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, to-day describes the Batitle for Crete. A communique from General Headquarters in Cairo states: “Throughout yesterday the island of Crete was subjected to a series of intensive air attacks, in intervals of which fresh waves of German parachute and airborne troops landed aJt various points. Heavy fighting continued throughout the day, in which the enemy sustained serious losses, while ours were comparatively light. At one point a German detachment which succeeded in penetrating into the outskirts of Canea, the capital near Suda Bay, was quickly surrounded and accounted for. Operations are continuing.” There is every reason to believe that large numbers of troops were captured alive. It will be for General Freyberg to deal with enemy troops wearing New Zealand battledress, but it is not expected that they will be shot without trial. An R.A.F. Middle East communique says: “Last night our heavy bombers carried out intensive raids on Germanoccupied aerodromes in Greece. Details are not yet available. ’*