NAZI ATTACK HELD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 9

NAZI ATTACK HELD

Fierce Fighting In Crete

GERMANS RETAIN ONLY ONE POINT

Convoys Scattered

Four days have now passed since the invasion of Crete began, and although the German attacks have increased in intensity, they are still being held. The enemy is flinging great masses of troops into the battle by parachute and troop-carrying planes, but has succeeded in holding only one point.

Tonight's news from the island shows that the invaders' main attack has been narrowed down to the area around Malemi, a few miles west of Suda Bay. Here they have taken enough ground around the aerodrome to enable them to land aircraft, but the aerodrome is still under the fire of the defenders and is being constantly attacked. A strong counterattack was launched on the enemy positions in this area on Thursday, but a horde of fresh German reinforcements has temporarily held up the British troops.

Fierce fighting is still going on, and both sides are using tommy-guns, machine-guns, and mortars. The British forces also have the use of tanks and artillery. Elsewhere in the island every German attempt to occupy yital positions has been frustrated.

The Navy is playing a magnificent part in the struggle, and is holding off all German attempts to land troops and supplies by sea. Despite continuous enemy dive-bombing, the warships are keeping the coast of Crete free from the. invader.

For three days a great battle—Air versus Sea—has been in progress off the island, and although it can scarcely be expected that constant dive-bombing attacks can be continued over such a period without certain naval losses, all the enemy convoys have been broken up and driven back to their bases. Some naval losses are to be expected, but the destruction meted out to enemy convoys more than justifies any losses.

The fate of the enemy convoy of 30 ships which was attacked yesterday is not yet known for certain. Not one ship reached the coast of Crete, and the convoy was driven northwards in confusion, and did not escape unscathed. Although the Navy could not chase the convoy right back to their bases, losses were inflicted, and an Italian destroyer was seen picking up survivors. German claims of losses inflicted on the British ships are exaggerated.

German dive-bombers have also suffered at the hands of naval anti-aircraft gunners. One advantage possessed by the British naval forces in an attempt to prevent enemy landings by sea is that there are very few places in Crete where these landings can be successfully carried out. One is Heraclion, which has a quay 650 feet long, and another is Suda Bay, which has a concrete pier 720 feet long. Canea possesses two jetties, but ships cannot be brought alongside either of them. HAND-TO-HAND ENGAGEMENTS.

Today's military communique from Cairo says that throughout yesterday Crete was again subjected to intensive attacks interspersed with determined efforts by the Germans to land more troops, both by parachute and from planes. The enemy succeeded in obtaining a temporary lodgment both at Heraclion (Candia) and Retimo, but after severe hand-to-hand fighting the German detachment was accounted for, and the situation at both places is now satisfactory.

In the Malemi area a British counterattack was partially successful, but later in the day the enemy was able to land considerable reinforcements by air in this sector.

LONDON, May 23.

The counter-attack came within an ace of success. Fierce fighting is still going on there. Australian, New Zealand, British, and Greek troops, fighting with great fury and determination, have fallen on every fresh batch of the enemy and either destroyed them or taken them prisoner. Anti-aircraft gunners are also doing good work. As the German losses show, both British and Empire forces have never rendered a better account of themselves. In the Heraclion sector, the Greek troops have also fought with the greatest gallantry. The invaders are still dependent on parachutists and air-borne troops for their attack on the island. The general position in Crete is regarded as being as satisfactory as it was 24 hours ago. The Germans are continuing to land troops by parachute and aeroplane, but they are instantly set upon by New Zealand, British, and Greek troops, who have inflicted tremendous losses on them.

There is ground for hoping that the j Allied casualties have not been heavy. It is thought in London that the British and Empire forces are unlikely to be suffering the heavy casualties that sometimes occur when troops are subjected to repeated enemy divebombing attacks. The nature of the ground on the island is not generally suitable for this kind of attack. The forces are also believed to be better supplied with ammunition than the enemy. It is understood that the King of Greece is still in Crete. BREAKING UP OF CONVOY. The, captain of a British warship described to Reuters correspondent how the first German convoy was broken up. The convoy consisted of many small merchantmen and sailing ships, escorted by a single Italian destroyer. Units of the Royal Navy, patrolling off Crete on Wednesday night, suddenly opened fire on a darkened ship. An enemy merchantman started burning from end to end and caused a great bonfire on the sea. Then the searchlights picked out the* Italian flag on an enemy destroyer, and the British forces again opened fire. One cruiser gave her a full 6-inch broadside, and there were violent explosions on the destroyer. Another steamer was left burning and a large number of sailing craft, were rammed. The sea was covered with Germans.

The entire action lasted about three hours,

At least 16 German troop-carrying planes have been destroyed since the invasion began, and many other heavy troop-carriers have crashed on landing, and a great number of parachutists have been killed or injured on landing.