THE BATTLE OF CRETE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25241, 2 June 1943, Page 3

THE BATTLE OF CRETE.

SECOND ANNIVERSARY BRAVE BUT HOPELESS STRUGGLE (N.Z.E.F. Official' News Service) (Rec. 11 p.m.) CAIRO, May 31. The month of May closes with the Egyptian Gazette, one of Cairo’s AngloEgyptian newspapers, reviewing an important milestone in the swiftlychanging scene of the world war in remembrance of the brave, hopeless struggle in May, 1941, the battle of Crete. “It was these last days of the month two years ago which saw a gallant mixed force under General Freyberg making a final valiant stand, outnumbered and only half-armed, in the wooded hills and valleys of the island, and the brilliant New Zealand rearguard action which made possible the evacuation of such a large part of the force. It was modern warfare in the absolute sense when the Nazi Werhmacht was at the, peak of its striking power. Germany added Crete to the long list of her successes, and the only credit entry Britain could write as the result of the New Zealanders’ stand was that it cost the enemy an appalling price and seriously delayed a wellplanned time table. The enemy’s limit was reached. It was the turning point of the war. It is well now, in the flush of the African victory, to renew the tribute to the men who fought and died in that strangest battle of all time.”