WON BY NAZIS IN CRETE AT HEAVY COST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1941, Page 6

WON BY NAZIS IN CRETE AT HEAVY COST

Mr ChnrchilFs Provisional Survey STRANGE AND GRIM BATTLE BEING FOUGHT NAVAL AND OTHER OPERATIONS (.British Official Wireless.) (Received This Dav, 11.59 a.in.) RUGBY. May 22. Making a statement, in the House of Commons, on the situation in Crete, Mr Churchill said: “This is a somewhat indeterminate moment in the battle for Crete at which to make a statement, and I can only give a very provisional account. Fighting is continuing with intensity, and although situation is in hand, the Germans have gained some local successes, at heavy cost. They are using a large number of airborne parachute troops and these are being increased daily. The position at Heraklion is that our troops still hold the aerodrome, although the Germans are now in what is called occupation of the town, which probably means that they are ensconced in certain buildings in the town. In the Rethymno district, there is no report of any particular fighting, although an attempt by the enemy to take an aerodrome in the vicinity yesterday morning was successfully held. ENEMY HOLDING AERODROME “In the Canea-Suda Bay sector, heavy air attacks in the early morning of yesterday were followed by further parachute landings, which were heavily engaged by our artillery and machine-guns. At Melema aerodrome, ten miles west of Canea, it appears that the enemy are now in occupation of the aerodrome and of an area to the west, but the aerodrome is still under our fire. Elsewhere the coastline of this sector remains in our hands. Fighting is going on and deepening in intensity and will certainly continue for some time. NAVY INTERCEPTS CONVOY “Last night the enemy began to try seaborne landings, but a convey making for Crete was intercepted by our naval forces. Two transports and a number of caiques—Greek boats—which probably contained troops intended for landing operations, were sunk and an enemy destroyer which was escorting the convoy was also sunk. During the course of the day much larger attempts were made by the enemy to, carry an army into Crete and a convoy of thirty vessels was discerned this morning by cur forces and was presumably attacked. The convoy turned away towards the islands of the Greek Archipelago and was being attacked by our destroyers and light forces, but I have not received any further information as to what happened, except that there has been a great deal of fighting during the day.. “Enemy air forces attacked our ships which were attacking the convoy, but I am sorry'that I have no definite information of the result. I feel, however, that it can hardly be other than satisfactory in view of the naval forces of Which we dispose in the Mediterranean zone.” CONFIDENCE IN TROOPS Replying to a member’s suggestion that an expression of admiration and confidence should be sent to the British troops in Crete, Mr Churchill added: “It is a strange and grim battle that is being fought. Our side has no Air Force, because they have no aerodromes—not because they have no aeroplanes. The other side has very little artillery or tanks—or none. Neither side has any means of retreat. It is a desperate, grim battle and I certainly will send the good wishes, encouragement and approval of the House to those men who are fighting what is undoubtedly a most important battle, which will affect the whole course of the campaign in the Mediterranean. ’ ’