Defeat Would be Heavy Blow to German Prestige

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

Defeat Would be Heavy Blow to German Prestige

DIFFICULTIES FACING INVAIIEKS (British Official Wireless.) Received Thursday, 9.20 p.m. RUGBY, May 21. It is generally realised by the press that the German attack on Crete is only in the preliminary stagas. Analysing the prooable German plan the Times gives warning that a defeat would be a heavy biow to German prestige, and says: “There would seem to be two alternatives open to the attacker. First, he must carry through the whole operation by air alone or he must obtain a hold upon a stretch of coast suitable to the purpose and sufficient in extent for the subsequent disembarkation oi sea-borne troops during the hours oi darkness. “The second alternative is more probable. To attack by means of the air it would first be necessary to seize a landing ground with such an area of country round it that relay* of troop-camers could arrive in comparative safety and immune from any ground action except long-range fire. The British airfields would have to be captured or neutralised by bombing so that the defence would be iorced to rely on air support from Egypt or aircraft-carriers—though this would apply equally to the other alternative put forward. To conquer the whole 3000 sq. xni 3s of this big island by air-borne troops alone would necessitate the tr* nsport of a force of considerable si. -i and that force would also have to be supplied from the air. These c< suggest the likelihood oi a bold attempt to open up sc?, communications as speedily as possible in order to make use of the shipping in Greek harbours and in the Dodecanese for the purposes of supporting, reinforcing and maintaining in the field the aerial advance guard. There, however, the enemy comes I up against the Navy. The Mediterra-

nean fleet might not be able to Intercept every vessel which attempted to make the passage and it would have to fight off some of the heaviest air attacks to which it has yet been subjected, but there can be little doubt that it would readily welcome me prospect of any such attempted operation.’*