Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1941. BATTLE OVERTURE IN CRETE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1941, Page 4

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1941. BATTLE OVERTURE IN CRETE.

that lias happened yet in Crete evidently must be regarded as the opening phase only of a stern and bitter struggle—a struggle whic-h represents, as a cablegram observes, the challenge of the enemy dive-bombers to British seapower in the .Mediterranean. At the stage to which events are carried at time of writing, the situation is described as well in hand, with a large part of the enemy forces, which have landed by parachute or otherwise, killed or accounted lor.

It. is a feature of the initial invasion attempt that some of the German troops wore New Zealand battle dress and others English uniforms. This is not only a flagrant breach of the recognised rules of war, making the men concerned liable, to be shot, as spies, but appears to have been, in the circumstances, ail extremely futile procedure. It suggests that the Germans counted upon a far greater measure ol success than they were able to achieve and hoped to sow confusion in the ranks of the. defenders. Obviously, in tiny case, measures to cope with and defeat enemy foul tactics am! treachery must take an important place in plans for the defence ol Crete.

Satisfactorily as the first, round has gone from the Allied standpoint, it is to be taken for granted that the Germans will press their attack on Crete with all possible energy and with an unsparing call on human and material resources. It is also well assured, however, as Mr Churchill has said, that “a most stern and resolute resistance will be offered to the enemy’ by the British. New Zealand and Greek forces commanded by Major-General Kreyberg, V.C.

Situated only GO miles south ol Cape Malea, at the southeastern extremity of the Greek mainland, and within easy striking distance of The enemy’s communications through Smyrna and with Africa by way of Rhodes and other islands of the Dodecanese group, Crete is a terrible thorn in the side of the Nazis in the projects of aggression they are no-w shaping, ■with Irak, Egypt and the Persian .Gulf listed among their objectives. Besides being meantime the last stronghold of Greek independence, the island is ol immense strategic importance as a base for air and naval attack upon the enemy’s lines of communication and upon his mainland and other bases. It is of great value to the Allies also as a base lor ultimate offensive action on a greater scale than is at present practicable.

The facts of the island’s location and strategic importance of necessity mean also that it is exposed to heavy attack from comparatively short range. As has been stated, it is separated by only sixty miles of sea from the lip ol the Peloponnesus and in that territory the Germans have convenient and virtually unlimited facilities for assembling all the air force they are. able to bring to bear. There can be no doubt about the magnitude and formidable character of the enemy threat to Crete. A major effort by the Lul'twaft'e is to he .expected as a matter of course and the Germans are endeavouring to use boat transport also in furtherance of their invasion.

Time and events must determine the outcome, but it may he noted that, apart from the known quality of ils garrison, Crete has many of the characteristics ol a fortress island, not easily to he subdued. With a total area of about 3,330 square miles, this famous island has a length of 155 miles and its width varies from 7 to 35 miles. Much of the surface is mountainous. In the west, the massive range of tin 1 A\ kite Mountains culminates in Mount. Theodores, nearly 8,000 feet high. In the centre of the island the mountains run generally lower, but the principal peak," the almost isolated Mount Psiloriti (ancient. Ida) exceeds 8.000 feet in height. There are other ranges .further oast. Though it has fertile plateaus, the mountainous country is cut up by deep and precipitous ravines, in which snow remains throughout the year. The rivers of the island are in general mere mountain torrents.

Of Hie few plains in Crete, lite largest is tliat of .\lessara, extending' from the southern (‘oust to the Imsithi range over an expanse of nearly 400 square miles. Next ii-i order ol size comes the plain of Canea, in the north, and toivards the western end of the island. It was here that the Germans made the initial landing reported yesterday. The coasts ol Crete are generally steep and unfavourable for harbourage, but the north coast is deeply indented and along this coast are situated the bays of Canea, Suda and others, some of which are useful naval bases. The island has few good roads.

With its generally mountainous character, Crete has plains affording adequate space for the air 'oases which play an allimportant part in modern defence and provided these plains are held and safeguarded in adequate strength, the topography of the rest of Crete should lend itself well Io defence against air or other attack.

The final determining factor no doubt will be tho strength of the air, hind and naval forces available for flu' defence of Crete and in view of the vital importance of the island there should be no doubt that these forces will bo adequate. Apart from the British and New Zealand forces included in the garrison under Major-General h'reyberg’s command, a fairly substantial part of the Greek' Army no doubt escaped to Crete. Some indication of the strength of the British air forces operating in and from Creti' is given in the news of heavy and damaging attacks lately made on enemy-occupied aerodromes in Southern Greece. There should he no doubt that the garrison will be able to count upon the loyalty and steadfastness of the civil population of Crete—a people with an honourable history of gallant and indomitable struggle through generations for liberty and independenee.

The outcome of the bailie for Crete which has now opened evidentlv must have a very iinjiortant bearing on the general course of the war in the Eastern M'editcrraneaii and further afield, ft is remarkably appropriate that an island containing relics of one ol' the most ancient of’known civilisations should stand today, in a vortex of conflict, as a bastion and stronghold of democracy against the onslaught of the forces of Nazi barbarism and bestiality.