FIERCE FIGHTING IN CRETE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21970, 23 May 1941, Page 5

FIERCE FIGHTING IN CRETE

Germans May Call on Second Division

General’s Praise of Defenders

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received 1 a.m.) LONDON, May 22. fpHE Germans are still trying to land air-borne troops 1 in Crete where fierce fighting is taking place. As the attack on the island has been in progress since Tuesday it is possible that the Germans are now drawing on a second division. It is thought likely that the Germans will also attempt to land tanks from the sea. Most of the parachute troops landed earlier have either been captured or destroyed and the battle now in progress is against an air-borne division. There was no mention of Crete in to-day’s German High Command communique. It can now be revealed that Major-General Freyberg was aware of the imminence of the German attack on Crete at least as early as May 16. On that day two German airmen were shot down near Crete. They told the Crete authorities that a major attack was being launched against the island within 48 hours. The necessary counter-measures were immediately taken. “It has been a hard day,” said Major-General Freyberg in a cable to Mr P. Fraser crisply and unemotionally outlining the operations on the second day of the invasion. He added: “Our troops have been fighting superbly.” The Berlin radio claimed that troops in Greece had captured 111 British light tanks, 90 heavy tanks and 27 armoured cars.

' "The Times” says that the situation In Crete is apparently in hand, but that does not imply that the Germans have not established comparatively strong detachments at certain points. The Germans, it is supposed, count on completing the subjection of Crete, or at least assuring final success, In three or four days. To drag it out longer would involve the problem of ammunition. and food supply which would be very difficult without the aid of shipping. The question of whether we would be able to afford the troops the benefit of fighter •planes is vital. With a measure of air support, especially fighter support, the chances seem strongly in favour of the defenders task of holding Crete. Without air support it would tie more difficult, though even then it would not be insuperable. ..The Battle of Crete was continued throughout Tuesday, states a communique from Cairo. It is reported that British, New Zealand, and Greek troops on the island are rounding up German forces which landed there from the air. The Germans came with two divisions of about 7000 men, complete with artillery, anti-tank weapons, machine-guns and motor-cycles. "Throughout Tuesday the Island was . subjected to a series of intensive air attacks in the lr' :rvals of which fresh waves of German parachute and airborne troops landed as various points,” states the communique. "Heavy fighting continued throughout the day in which the enemy sustained serious losses, while ours were comparatively light. At one point a German detachment which succeeded in penetrating into the outskirts of Canea, was quickly surrounded and accounted for. The operations are continuing.” Continuing his story in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister (Mr Churchill) described the attempt at invasion, and members cheered when he said that the situation was well in hand. The Germans attacked the island with dive-bombers and Messerschmitt fighters, this aerial attack being followed by the troops, who were landed from the sky. Mr Churchill said that about 3000 men had been dropped by parachute but by 6.30 In the evening most of them were accounted for. Many of the Germans, said Mr Churchill, crashed while attempting to land. He could give no full details of the fighting, but he warned the House that the fighting must continue with increasing severity. The actual attempt at invasion began early on Tuesday morning, and continued throughout the day. It was preceded by attacks which were continuous throughout Monday. The invasion from the air began with the dropoing of parachutists. Later, gliders and troop-carrying aircraft were employed to land troops. It is reported that some parachutists were dressed in few Zealand battle-dress. Sea Landings Attempted Landings were made in a part of the Island which, historically, has always been the line of approach, namely, the western part of Crete, and some also landed in the Herakleon area, in the north of the Eland further east. It Is also reported that attempts have been made at landing by sea In boats. The attack is expected to continue. The situation is in hand, and it can be stated that there is no lack of control over any large part of the Island. There is reason to think that at least one Germans air-borne division is Involved, in addition to the parachutists. Such a division consists of about 7000 men, but it does not normally include any parachute troops. A German airborne division comprises two infantry regiments, consisting of rifle companies, and one machine-gun company and one artillery regiment with twenty-four mountain guns of 75 millimetres, as well as an anti-tank battalion equipped with 37 millimetre guns, and a divisional reconnaissance unit, probably motor-cyclists, as well as signallers and other details. There are also two motor anti-aircraft gun companies. Five Hundred Aeroplanes Used The air-borne division include: a number of transport vehicles and consequently troops who carry orders to requisition vehicles on landing. There is a higher percentage of officers and non-commissioned officers than in an ordlnar; division. Some 250 aircraft are in the service of each division, and it is expected that these would each make three or four journeys. The procedure would be first to put down the parachutists. If successful, they would signal for the airborne troops’ machines and gliders to land. There is no Information to suggest that any light tanks have been dropped or that they are included in the German air-borne division. It would appear that the landings from the air continued until dusk last night. No Iniormatlon has yet been made public as to the numbers rounded up or put out of action after landing. It Is, however, known that a considerable number of troop carriers were intercepted and shot down The outstanding fact is that the situation is in hand. British bombers continue their

activities on German-occupied aerodromes in Greece, despite the German attack on Crete. Last night many heavy bombs were dropped, according to a Middle East communique. Enemy Tactics Substantiated Asked in the House of Commons if the charges that the Nazis landing in Crete were wearing New Zealand battledress had been substantiated, the Prime Minister replied: “Yes, and another report states that those who landed at Rethymno were wearing English battle-dress. I see that the Germans have denied this.” Asked if the Nazis in British uniforms would be dealt with in accordance with international law, Mr Churchill said that he was not sufficiently Informed of the exact circumstances. “I think we must leave a certain amount of discretion to those on the spot,” he added. It is stated in London that there is every reason to believe that large numbers of troops have been captured alive. It will be for Major-General Freyberg to deal with any of the enemy wearing New Zealand battledress, but it is not expected that they would be shot without a trial. Nazis Threaten Reprisals It is now announced from Berlin that German parachutists afld airborne troops landed in Crete early on Tuesday after intensive preparation by dive-bomber attacks. It is claimed that the German troops, by bold thrusts, have taken a number of points in Crete. Operations are continuing according to plan. Retaliatory measures would be taken tenfold against British prisoners if Mr Churchill’s statement about Germans wearing New Zealand uniforms was made an excuse for the treatment of German parachutists contrary to international law. The Minister of the Army (Mr P. O. Spender) stated that a substantial number of Australian troops had landed In Crete after evacuation from Greece. They were under the command of Major-General Freyberg Recent despatches did not fully reveal the extent to which these troops had been relieved by British units. Mr Spender said he had not received any report to indicate that Australians had arrived at Cyprus as reported, h London. "The Times” gives warning that defeat would be heavy and mainly a blow to German prestige, and says: “There would seem to be two alternatives open to the attacker. In the first place he must carry through the whole operation by air alone or he must obtain a hold upon a stretch of coast suitable to the purpose and sufficient in extent for subsequent disembarkation of sea-borne troops during the hours of darkness. The second alternative Is the more probable. To attack by means of the lirst it would be necessary to seize a landing ground with such an area of country round it that relays of troopcarriers could arrive In comparative safety and be immune fom any ground action except long-range fire. British airfields would have to be captured or neutralised by bombing so that the defence would be forced to rely on air support from Egypt or aircraft carriers —though this would apply equally to the other alternative put forward. To conquer the whole 3000 square miles of this big Island by air-borne troops alone would necessitate the transport of a force of considerable size and that force would also have to be supplied from the air. These considerations suggest the likelihood of a bold attempt to open up sea communications as speedily as possible in order to make use of shipping in Greek harbours and in he Dodecanese for the purposes of supporting, reinforcing and maintaining in the field an aerial advanced guard. There, however, the enemy comes up against the Navy. The Mediterranean Fleet might not be able to intercept every vessel which attempted to make the passage and it would have to fight off some of the heaviest air attacks to which it has yet been subjected, but there can be little doubt that it would readily welcome the prospect of any such attempted operation.” According to a late message no official communique has yet been issued about yesterday’s fighting, but messages from a Cairo correspondent say it continued at full blast throughout the day. The Cairo correspondent of the “Daily flail” says: "From dawn to dusk tor the second day in succession wave after wave of German troop-carriers and gliders protected by dive-bombers spilled out human cargoes along the whole of the northern coast of Crete and inland among the olive groves where bitter hand to hand fighting took place. Nowhere have the invaders captured the island’s airfields and harbours. The fighting is guerilla warfare, man against man, Germans, New Zealanders, Britons and Greeks battling singly or in small companies. The situation last night was described In some messages as obscure partly because the Germans were reported to be landing men in British uniforms ir. Greek areas and Greek uniforms in Brltisn areas. Some German parachutists, using a new type of parachute, dropped from only 200 feet, meaning that it was only a matter of seconds before they landed, making it difficult to shoot them down. Nevertheless the British fire was most effective between the time they landed and the time they ran to where guns and munitions were

landed from other parachutes. Each parachute was coloured red, white or black, accordint to the wearer’s function. Perhaps it is significant that the German High Command has not yet issued any communique. Major-Gen-eral Prey berg’s cable message to Mr Fraser said: "We are being hard pressed. Much depends on the next few hours. No word about Crete has yet appeared in the German, Italian and French press.