Battle for Crete

by Spencer, John Hall

• ISBN13: 9781844157709
• ISBN10: 1844157709
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-08-30
• Publisher: Pen & Sword

Summary

"Battle for Crete is a fine account of the political and military prelude to the evacuation of British, Australian and New Zealand forces from Greece to Crete in April 1941, and of the subsequent German offensive against Crete, the first airborne assault in history on a defended island. During two year's research the author visited the battlefields, had access to previously unpublished Admiralty files, and talked to and corresponded with many of the combatants, from Admiral of the Fleet lord Cunningham and Colonel-General Student, the German commander, to scores of private soldiers in Australia and New Zealand." "John Hall Spencer has used his very varied sources to build up an exciting picture of one of the most important and bitterly contested campaigns of the Second World War. Battle for Crete shows clearly why Hitler's paratroopers were almost repulsed by an ill-equipped and tired Allied army and why a British general came close to apologising to his troops for the ordeal which they had endured."--BOOK JACKET.

Table of Contents

Advent	p. 1
Onslaught	p. 115
End	p. 207
Index	p. 297
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

After two years' extensive research the author has written a thorough account of the political and military background to the German invasion of Crete and the bitter fighting that followed the first airborne assault on an island in history. The book tells of confused negotiations between the British and Greek governments; the misunderstandings between Winston Churchill's War Cabinet and commanders in the field; the near capture of the King of Greece; the lack of preparation by the defenders and the suppression of a critical post-battle report by General Wavell. There are vivid individual accounts of the fighting both during the invasion and the subsequent campaign and ultimate retreat and evacuation. The Royal Navy and R.A.F.'s contribution is well documented as are the roles of the German air force. Crete was a 'close run' campaign fought with aggression by both sides.