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Originally Posted by Partisan Whilst I would agree with you about the ineptitude of the higher command, I think that you need to consider the terrain. Mounatinous, damn near impassable in many places it is a real barrier to effective communication. I think that the flaw was a lack of decisive defensive plans, relying too much on if they do x, we'll do y. Whereas the Germans were told - take and hold. So a lot of the allies were busy shuttling themselves up and down mountain roads, walking into areas held by the Germans. When communication links were cobbled together, it was to rescue what was left of a tired, footsore and bemused force.
The Cretans themselves helped the allies escape, having shared a glass of wine or 2 with some of them, they told me that they understood that island was lost & just wanted the allies to have good thoughts so that they would come back, but in the end, holding Crete was their problem.
I don't mind saying they are a kind and gracious people, but I can imagine that they would be a nightmare to subjugate.
I think that the biggest irony is that the bulk of the Cretan tourist industry seems to come from Germany - something the old boys didn't like, but always smiled - saying we'll take their money. |
The main thing for me is that I do not believe Crete was a lost cause primarily due to the information the allies had in the form of Ultra and as such the state of allied communications and transportation is a non-factor.
If I told you that you were about to be attacked by 8000 enemy, they will be landing at point A, B and C and they will have to capture point Z or the campaign will not succeed and they cannot be supplied by sea here is 40000 trained but lightly equipped troops and sizable number of irregulars how do you think you would have gone because I am reasonably confident that no one could have done a hell of a lot worse than Freyberg.
I am somewhat more passionate about Crete than many other battles simply because it was in the end a failure associated with New Zealand and I had an uncle who served in Greece, Crete, North Africa and Italy so it is something I have looked at with interest.
If you read some of the unit war diaries of the campaign as well as books such as those of Antony Beevor I think it is clear where the campaign failed from an allied point of view, I do not believe that New Zealand troops failed as they receive very high praise from many sources during the evacuation for their desire and ability to fight but they were horrible let down by their command.