AIR INVADERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24009, 5 July 1941, Page 12

AIR INVADERS

BATTLE IN CRETE

AMAZING spectacle

OVERWHELMING ATTACK A graphic account of the defence of an aerodrome in Crete against air-borne troops is given by Bombardier A. L. Parkes, in a letter to his parents in Auckland. He described the arrival in Crete, when the New Zealanders were told that in the near future the Germans would attempt to take the place by air-borne troops, and that the three aerodromes were to be defended to the utmost. "Of course, wo thought it would bo a comparatively easy job, but we did pot reckon on the awful might of the Hun air force/ 1 he continues. "About May 15 we were told to be ready for the invasion, and were given the'numbers of troops and aeroplanes that would bo used in about four days' time. We were to defend an aerodrome with our two field guns, and were well supported by our own infantry all around us. Bombers and Fighters "The Germans have a definite plan for all landings made by parachute troops which is always the same, and wo knew what to expect and what to do. He first of all destroyed all aircraft and air defence on and around the aerodrome, and for two days it was hectic as dive bombers and M.lOO's were over all the time. Though we fired for two days, and aeroplanes almost touched tops of the olive trees under which we* sheltered, we were never spotted. On the third day, about 9 a.m., a tremendous formation of dive bombers, bombers, and fighters came over, and for two hours gave the aerodrome such a pasting I thought it impossible for a human being to live through it all. About 11 a.m. the bombing stopped and everything quietened. "Suddenly we heard the distant roar of engines, which rapidly grew louder and louder until the whole universe seemed full of noise. We were amazed to soo come, out of tho mist which covered the horizon innumerable large black dots, which in time/ became huge three-engined slow-moving monoplanes. They were in threes, about 500 ft. high and in an unending stream. We sat bewildered and amazed. The machines were so low we could read writing on the undercarriages. As soon as we had got over the scare, we turned our rifles and machine-guns on them, which didn't appear to do much good, but we learned later that a number came down in the hills, killing the occupants. Parachute Carriers "Our next surprise came in the shape of a dozen or so huge silent gliders, which had been towed from Greece by the other aeroplanes. These huge birdlike machines circled and banked over our heads, gradually losing height until they were so low we could hear the wind whistling through the struts and see the pilots working the controls. We pumped a lot of lead at them, but it was hopeless, and we had to'sit and watch with dismay as they landed one by one on the beach and see the troops pour out and dash for the aerodrome. All this time the huge parachute carriers were coming in from the sea and going up the valley behind us. There were about 150 of them. After a slight gap, another group came in and circled the aerodrome. "Then hapj»ned a thing I shall never forget. From*each aeroplane appeared parachutes of every colour, some with men and some with canisters attached. Tnese drifted very to the ground, taking about 10 to 15 seconds. It was an amazing sight. Some parachutes were green, some white, red. blue and black, and. some were painted like a zebra. As soon as they appeared there broke out a deafening roar of small arms fire as every available gun opened up on the grotesque, squirming figures attached to the parachutes. Many of the Huns were dead before reaching the ground, and many others were so badly hit they just lav as they fell. Many fell among the waiting troops, who made short work of tbem. / i Capture of Aerodrome "But all the time more and more were baling out over the area in front, behind and all around ns so that we could not hope to wipe them all out. Onco they were on-the ground, heavy fighting broke out,' which lasted all day, until toward evening the aerodrome was captured and we had lost the one'thing that mattered. It was the turning point of the battle for from then onwards the Germans were able to land, sometimes anyhow so long as the aeroplanes could be put on the ground. They came in hundreds — at one stage 500 in an hour —and the rate was kept Up until dark. "With the help of other guns, we wei-e all this time firing on the aerodrome. and playing havoc with the carriers coming in to land and' those already on the ground. I don't know how many we knocked over, but according to reports the figure was 80-odd. ! This helped a lot because it cluttered up the aerodrome, making more of the incoming aeroplanes smash as they landed.'' Retreat Made In a description of the fighting through the night and an attack by the Germans through the next day, Bombardier Parkes said the Germans kept landing not only more troops but much equipment, including mortars, which played a big part in the eventual superiority of the invader. Toward evening the guns of the writer's batten- ran out of ammunition. The artillerymen fought on with rifles and other weapons taken from parachute troops, whose emergency rations later proved i verv useful for the New Zealanders.

That night a retreat was made to another line, and on a line near Suda Bay a stand was made for a further two days. The nights alone gave respite from continuous dive-bombing. Finally, a rearguard action, was fought for three days in a 35 miles march across the island. The rendezvous was found to be swarming with troops of all descriptions without arms, food or officers. Two days were spent there before the troops were taken off in barges to warships.