Strange, Grim, Desperate; No Retreat For. Either Side

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1941, Page 5

Strange, Grim, Desperate; No Retreat For. Either Side

Churchill Sums Up Battle Of Crete

(Received 1 p.m.) RUGBI, May 22. MAKING A STATEMENT IN THE fcO-USE OF COMMONS ON THE SITUATION IN CRETE, MR. CHURCHILL SAID: “This is a somewhat indeterminate moment in the battle for Crete at which to make a statement, and I can only give a very provisional account. “The fighting is continuing with intensity, and, although the situation is in hand, the Germans have gained some local successes at heavy cost. “They are using a. large number of airborne and parachute troops, and these are being increased daily. “The position at Heraklion (Canea) is that our troops still hold the aerodrome, although the Germans are now in what is called occupation of the town, which probably means . that they are ensconsed in certain buildings in the town.

Heavy Air Attacks ‘ In the Rethymno district there is no report of any particular fighting, although an attempt by the enemy to take the aerodrome in the vicinity yesterday morning was sucqessfully held. In the Canea-Suda Bay' sector, heavy air attacks in the early morning of yesterday were followed by further parachute landings, which were heavily engaged by our artillery and machine-guns. “At Melema aerodrome, ten miles west of Canea, it, appears that the enemy is now in occupation of the aerodrome and of the area to the west, but the aerodrome is still under our fire. Elsewhere the coastline of this sector remains in our hands. Navy Smashes Enemy Transports “Fighting is going on and deepening in intensity and will certainly continue for some time. Last night the enemy began to try seaborne landings, but a convoy making for Crete was intercepted by our naval forces. “Two transports and a number of caiques (Greek boats), which probably contained troops intended for landing operations, were sunk, and an enemy destroyer which was escorting the convey was also sunk. During the course of the day there were much larger attempts made by the enemy to carry the army into Crete, and a convoy of 30 vessels was discerned this morning by our forces and was presumably attacked. “The convoy turned away towards the islands of the archipelago, and was being attacked by our destroyers and light forces, but I have not received any further information as to what happened, except that there has been a great deal of fighting during the day.

Mr. Churchill Confident

“Enemy air forces attacked our ships which were attacking the convoy, but I am sorry I have no definite information of the result. “I feel, however, that it can hardly be other than satisfactory, in view of the naval forces of which we are possessed in the Mediterranean zone.”

Replying to members’ suggestions that an expression of admiration and confidence should be sent to the British troops in Crete, Mr. Churchill added:

“It is a strange and grim battle that is being fought. “Our side have no air force, because they have no aerodromes—not because they have no aeroplanes. ‘The other side has very little (or none) artillery or tanks. “Neither side has any means of retreat.

“It is a desperate and grim battle, and I certainly will send the wishes and encouragement and approval of the House to those men who are fighting what is undoubtedly a most important battle, and which will affect the whole course of the campaign in the Mediterranean.”