SPEARHEAD BLUNTED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21994, 20 June 1941, Page 5

SPEARHEAD BLUNTED

Heavy German Losses In Crete LONDON, June 18. In a reply to the debate on Crete in the House of Lords, Lord Movne said that the Germans had lost in Crete four times as many killed as had the British and their total losses exceeded the British total of killed, wounded and prisoners. In addition the Germans had paid a tremendous price in the air, losing 430 of the costliest machines. Numbers of highly trained men had also been lost and there seemed no doubt that for the time being the spearhead of the Luftwaffe had been blunted. The campaign in Greece and Crete had given Britain another four months in which to strengthen the defences of Egypt and the campaign had given a serious set-back to Hitler which might even result in his downfall. Precautions would be-taken, however, said Lord Moyne, that British troops would not again be asked to fight without air support and unuer such terrible conditions. Asked whether adequate steps -lad been taken to ensure the provision of essential foodstuffs for the population of Cyprus “as the war in the Mediterranean develons.” the Under-Secretary to the Colonial Office (Mr George Hall) said that the food position in the Island gave no cause for anxiety. He added that although exports from Cvnrus to Britain of citrus fruit and other produce had practically ceased because of war conditions, every endeavour was being made to dispose of them in the morleeta nf a nearer colony.