Why Fighters Were Withdrawn From Crete

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 122, 24 May 1941, Page 7

Why Fighters Were Withdrawn From Crete

DEFENDERS PUTTING UP MAGNIFICENT RESISTANCE Received Friday, 10.20 p.m. LONDON, May 22. Aa Air' Ministry official in London disclosed that in view of the pronounced disadvantages under which our fighters were operating in Crete when the German attack was launched the commanders on the spot decided to withdraw the remaining lighters because otherwise they would waste the Air Force personnel involved. The official pointed out that Crete was ill-provided with aerodromes and was situated close to the Greek and Italian islands. Also it was close to the Greek mainland where there was a large concentration of German planes. The distance of Crete from our aerodromes in Egypt precluded the possibility of strong air support by the R.A.F. Experience had already proved that it was impossible to develop satisfactory fighter defence from a few comparatively illequipped aerodromes if these are subjected to heavy air attack. The Times, in a leader, says: "The most disturbing item in Mr. Churchill’s statement was that our troops in Crete are once again lighting unsupported from the air for lack of aerodromes. Nevertheless the defence is undoubtedly putting up a magnificent resistance. The enemy losses have been very heavy but the Germans can afford considerable losses and Crete is a prize worth sacrifices. While enemy artillery and tanks can be kept out there is room for hope that the valour of the garrison will prevail in the ferocious struggle." The German News Agency says there is official German silence regarding the atack which is unique as the first military operation undertaken by the German High Command without an official fanfare. The News Agency adds that the general opinion in Berlin is that the phraseology of the British military reports suggests that Britain is preparing for an eventual military failure in Crete. Airborne Forces on Greatest Trial. Air Commodore Goddard, in a broadcast speech, said: "The Germans are storming Crete and you will have heard the news that once again our air forces have been withdrawn. I think you will have thought:- ‘ls it not curious that we cannot keep our air forces in action because of insufficient aerodromes wherea3 the Germans have no such difficulty?’ * * That is merely a reflection of air superiority. The Germans can • operate from relatively secure aerodromes and can fill them up with hundreds of aeroplanes. We cannot disperse to numerous aerodromes because they do not exist. Now airborne forces are on their greatest trial but are unopposed by fighters. In spite of that they have had some costly failures. But they apparently also have had some substantial success. Grim it is, and grim it must be. But never fear, air-borne forces by themselves will not capture that island. There is more to it than that. "Crete as far as we are concerned must be mostly the business of soldiers and sailors. And how splendidly they are doing it, too! The Air Force meanwhile is building up again in the Middle East and will give all the help it can from there. Measure of Nazi Frustration. "Whatever the outcome of the invasion, Crete, instead of Britain, is in truth the measure of Nazi frustration. I will not deny that airDorne forces are a menace to us here, but so is the l ighter Command to them. And the Fighter command constitutes, as you have reason to know, the most powerful delensive system in the world. Please do not suppose that some new and unexpected danger to us has just emerged. The lact is that a great part of the known danger to us here is now lying wrecked in Crete. We are prepared for air-borne forces, so do not let us make too much of a bogey of them. "I expect you know why the Germans use gliders and troop-carrying aeroplanes. They must have an aerodrome or country like an aerodrome to land on. If they do not, they crash or are stranded and are unable to get away again. Gliders being low flyers can get down in a smaller space and if they escape attack can land compact forces with their equipment ready for action. ‘ 4 Paratroops are almost sure to get scattered if used in large numbers and are greatly hampered by their kit. It is their job to secure, temporarily at any rate, a place where the gliders are to come in an this they do either by surprise or else immediately following a heavy blitz on a place. ’ *

Air Commodore Goddard concluded by saying that the effort against Germany had been doubled in recent weeks and would go on increasing.