Substantially Fewer Nazi Air-Borne Troops Reach Crete

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 5

Substantially Fewer Nazi AirBorne Troops Reach Crete

Enemy Adopt Mass Bombing Tactics

(Recoivort 2 p.m.) LONDON. May 25. \ CAIRO COMMUNIQUE STATES THAT YESTERDAY THE GERMANS SUCCEEDED IN LANDING FURTHER AIRBORNE TROOPS ON CRETE, BUT ON A SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED SCALE COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS < TWO DAYS. Enemy eoneenlrations in the vicinity of Candia and Tietimo wore ■counter-atlacked and operations are continuing. Between Malemi and Canea sharp hand-to-hand fighting continued throughout the day. Intensive dive-bombing attacks were again made. As on the previous days our forces in this area inflicted very heavy losses on the enemy, including the continued destruction by shellfire of aircraft on the ground. The Germans mass bombed Canea and Candia unceasingly from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. yesterday, causing bavoc comparable with that at Rotterdam. The German radio stated that British tanks attempted to attack German land forces near a harbour in Crete, but German planes destroyed some tanks by cannon fire and set fire to others. The German communique states that further parachutists have landed in Crete and the Luftwaffe has extensively bombed the British positions.

Aliases Attack Malemi

In bitter hand-to-hand fighting, Anzaes are attacking Malemi aerodrome, last important Toot hold in Crete. The fight for the aerodrome is in the balance. It is under heavy fire Irom Empire forces. Anzacs, with other troops, yesterday hurled back the enemy at Candia, the largest city and port in Crete, capturing supplies dropped for enemy troops. They also cleaned up the Germans at Rethym.no (Retimo) further westward, reoccupying both the town and the aerodrome. The Germans, however, are continuing to land troops by air at Malemi aerodrome. Some German artillery, probably small field guns, and also mortars, have been landed at this point. Our troops are holding positions to the eastward of Malemi and a fierce battle is in progress there.

With Resolute Courage

A communique issued in Cairo yesterday stated : “During Friday further determined efforts were made by the Germans to reinforce the troops already in Crete. At Candia and Retimo detachments landed by air- were decisively dealt with, and other parties landed further afield are being mopped up by Empire forces, ably assisted by Greek troops. In and around Malemi intense fighting is continuing. The Germans launched their main effort in this area to extend their original foothold.

Fighting with resolute courage and in spite of intense dive bombing throughout the day, our troops again inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy, who also lost a high proportion of his troop-carrying aircraft. The spirit of our Empire forces remains as high as ever.” Malemi Position Rather Serious The military spokesman in Cairo stated today that while the situation at Candia and Retimo was on the whole favourable, the position at Malemi was still rather serious and extremely bitter fighting was still going on. German parachutists and glider troops held Candia’s chief buildings for 30 hours reports a correspondent to the London “Daily Express.” As British, New Zealand and Greek forces stormed the town with Bren guns, tommy guns and fixed bayonets, up went the New Zealand war cry, “Ake Ake Kia Kalia!” and the Greek war cry, “Aerea” (“Give us space”).