WW2 . Last struggle of Hellas - The battle of Crete on May 1941.

in #ww26 years ago

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In my previous post i showed you 2 of the toughest and unfair battles Hellas gave as a member of the Alliance against Axis as she always did even before WW1. How allies treated to her is another issue i may post someday.
You can see these posts here:

https://steemit.com/history/@giosou/battle-of-the-forts-april-1941-hellas-greece

https://steemit.com/history/@giosou/thermopylae-of-of-ww2-battle-of-hill-height-731

What Hellas offered in WW2

The last battle was given in the island of Crete from 20th of May to 2nd of june 1941.

Battle chronicle:

November 1940:
The defense of Crete is taken over by the British. The 5th Division of Cretans is transported to Athens.

April 15, 1941:
After many meetings, it is decided Crete to be seized by the Germans. In the 2nd half of April, the transfer of Hellenic and British forces from mainland to Crete is planned.

April 23, 1941:
The Hellenic government is transferred to Crete.

April 25, 1941:
A significant New Zealand force disembarked in Crete.

28 April 1941:
Hellene Prime Minister E. Tsouderos holds a meeting of the Hellenic leadership and British officials in Chania. Military reinforcements are asked for the better preparation and the most effective defense of the island.

April 29, 1941:
Commander of the New Zealand Division, General Freiberg, arrives in Crete and the next day he takes over the command of the Allied forces of the island.

14 May 1941:
Military targets of Crete are systematically bombarded by the German airforce.

18-19 May 1941:
German Air Force aircrafts are landing land at the airports of Attica and southern Hellas, preparing for the attack. The attack begins. Calendar writes May 20, 1941!

http://autochthonesellhnes.blogspot.gr/2014/05/20-1941.html

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20 May 1941:
At 6.30 am the German attack begins. Maleme airport receives a merciless bombardment from the select paratroop of German paratroopers. The afternoon of the same day Rethymno and Heraklion are attacked . The attack met the strong resistance of the defenders who waited for the enemy at the attack sites, since the English knew the plan of the German attack. The resistance of the people was universal and immediate. The Hellene soldiers and the allied forces and also the inhabitants were in possession of armaments decimated the first waves of the attackers.

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May 21, 1941 (Second Day of Attack):
None of the airports had fallen into the hands of the Germans. The paratroopers, considered to be the terrible and undefeated weapon of the Germans, had been decimated and were in a terribly difficult position. Many of the airplanes are either shot down or crashed into the ground. In Heraklion and in Rethymno they fail entirely. The attempts by the Germans to disembark troops from the sea did not work. The English fleet sailing around the island neutralizes the Germanforce that is heading for Crete. 15 impounded boats with an unknown number of victims are sunk. The afternoon of May 21st. The paratroopers of the 1st regiment occupy the airport of Maleme, on which they landed an army with a regiment of the 5th Mountain Division.

22 May 1941:
The German Air Force launches a heavy naval attack and sinks many ships. An attempt is made to retake Maleme airport by Hellenic and Allied forces without result. The 5th Mountain Division is backed up and some of the most bloody battles of the whole operation are being held. Hellenes and allies fight backward, but succumb to the perfect organization and equipment of the enemy, things that the defenders of Crete did not have.

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23 May 1941:
Churchill sends a message to the headquarters and stresses "The battle of Crete must be won".

24 May 1941:
The bombing of the cities of Crete continues. In Chania the Germans take the head of movements. The defenders in Rethymno and Heraklion declare that they will continue the battle "up to the end".

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May 25, 1941:
The Germans occupy Kandanos.

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26th of May 1941:
Galatas occupied. Allied forces are fighting to protect Chania. General Freiberg, in a statement, highlights the difficult position of the allied forces.

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May 27, 1941:
Chief General of the Middle East, Wavell, sends a message that the allied forces leave Crete. For the transportation and rescue, ships of the British fleet are sent. Chania and the port of Souda are occupied this day.

May 28, 1941:
The departure of the Allied forces towards Sfakia begins. The British, without informing the Hellenic forces, at night evacuate the city of Heraklion and board the ships that arrive for that purpose at the port. Meanwhile, Italian troops coming from the Dodecanese, land at Sitia and occupy Lassithi.

29-30 May 1941:
By May 30, Heraklion and Rethymnon fall under the pressure of the German forces, advancing eastwards with the paratroopers. 30 of May, General Freimberg leaves Crete.

June 1, 1941:
The withdrawal of the British forces, which were concentrated on the southern coast of Crete, is completed. Allied ships are transported initially to Egypt, then to South Africa to end up in London. The king and the Hellenic government left with them. The forces that fail to board and whose number is about 5,500 people surrender or leave to the mountains.

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The German occupation spreads all over the island. The German flag waves everywhere, at the same time the resistance of the Cretan people begins.

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The torture of Hellas begins(next post).

Sources: For pictures and articles searched the network for '' battle of Crete'' and ''battle of Crete pictures''

Till then , take care!

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Τους σκίσαμε με τις μαγγούρες XD

Tip!

Ήταν νηστικοί αλλά ψυχωμένοι τότε. Τώρα χορτάτοι αλλά φοβισμένοι..

Σε ευχαριστώ πολύ για τα τιπ. Αν έχεις προτάσεις για tag να μου λες.

interesante tu post de los tiempo de guerra

Grecia ha sufrido mucho. Gracias por el comentario y la votación. (google translator)

liked your post great post dear..Damn that is good beautiful writing...hope u will like my post too......please upvote me...

Thanks for your kind words. I'll check your post too.Take care .

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