STRONG GERMAN ATTACK

Southland Times, Issue 24446, 28 May 1941, Page 5

STRONG GERMAN ATTACK

Penetration In Spite Of Casualties LONDON, May 26. The latest official report concerning the situation in Crete, issued by British General Headquarters in Cairo, says: “There is no change in the situation in Herakleon and Rethymo. In the Malemi area, following the arrival of additonal air-borne reinforcements the Germans, under cover of an intensive air bombardment, delivered a strong attack against the Imperial troops west of Canea. Although the enemy again sustained heavy casualties penetration of the British positions was made. The New Zealand forces delivered a coun-ter-attack and severe fighting is continuing.” Bitter fighting continues in the Malemi area. The Royal Air Force is giving active assistance and in a night and a day destroyed 24 enemy planes. A heavy attack was made on the aerodrome at Malemi which was crowded with German planes and on the surrounding fields which the Germans hold. Bombs crashed down among planes and men. It is possible that the Germans may have landed tanks from the air, but there is no evidence yet of any having made contact with the British forces. Ike Germans have not yet succeeded in making any considerable landings from the sea. AERODROMES HELD The aerodromes at Rethymo and Herakleon are still in British hands, but German troops are in the neighbourhood. German planes are reported from one quarter to have landed some tanks on Crete, but so far there is no definite evidence of the tanks having made contact with our troops. It is pointed out that there was a little lessening in the intensity of the German attack on Sunday. This does not imply that the German drive has been exhausted. The situation generally is unaltered. The Bremen radio indirectly admitted German anxiety about Crete when the announcer said: “Tensely, although hopefully, we await further information from the High Command. We know that they will always be truthful, but we must have delay in order to establish the facts.”

The Greek Legation in London states that the Greek Ministers of the Interior, Labour, War and Air have remained in Crete to direct Greek civilian and military affairs. An outstanding air success in Crete in operations which resulted in the destruction of at least 24 enemy aircraft for no British losses is described in a Royal Air Force Middle East Command communique. It says: “In Crete at least 24 enemy aircraft of all types were destroyed, while a number of others was badly damaged on the aerodrome at Malemi and on adjacent airfields used for landing grounds for gliders and troop-carriers. These were the principal targets and bombs were observed to fall among large concentrations of Junkers 52 troop-carriers. They caused great destruction and damage. One Junkers 52 was hit as it was landing and another was set on fire as it was taxiing over the aerodrome. Fighters set on fire several other enemy aircraft. In addition other aircraft, including several fighters, were destroyed on the ground. One Junkers 52 was shot down by one of our bombers while a fighter shot down a Junkers 89 trans-port-carrier into Suda Bay and damaged another which was last seen with smoke pouring from it. Photographs taken during the raids confirm that severe damage has been done to many enemy aircraft.”

“NEITHER SIDE TAKING PRISONERS”

CAIRO, May 26.

“When I left Crete neither side was taking prisoners. It was life or death for everyone,” an Australian officer told The Daily Telegraph’s war correspondent. The officer, with 17 other Australians, reached Egypt in a British destroyer after a daring escape from Canea. Their ammunition was exhausted and they were cut off from the main Australian body. They put to sea in four rowing boats and were picked up by a destroyer. “We were guarding a coast position, but parachutists came down so fast that we soon ran out of ammunition,” said the officer. “Not a shot was wasted. About 2000 Germans landed around us. We must have killed half of them. The Empire troops in Crete must have inflicted appalling casualties on the enemy.”