POSITION DEFINED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1941, Page 5

POSITION DEFINED

LANDINGS FROM THE AIR CONTINUE I ADVANTAGES OF ATTACK & DEFENCE. KING GEORGE OF THE HELLENES STILL IN CRETE. (Received This Day. 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 23. It is authoritatively announced that the Germans had made no seaborne landings in Crete prior to dusk on May 22 but landings from the air continue. The Germans still hold the Malemi aerodrome, which apparently is the only foothold of any size gained for any length of time. It is pointed out that our troopcarriers would be forced to land in the face of almost unopposed enemy bombing if British reinforcement by air were attempted. The British position regarding ammunition supplies is regarded as more favourable than the enemy’s. It is believed that the British troops in Crete have suffered minimum casualties from dive-bombing because the nature of the country affects the accuracy of bombing. The British troops would be well dug in. King George of the Hellenes is believed to be still in Crete. “TOUGH PROPOSITION” FOR DEFENDING FORCES

BUT SITUATION STILL SATISFACTORY. NAVY PLAYING VITAL PART. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY. May 23. As the battle for Crete continues and develops from hour to hour, no precise indication of the Navy’s part in the stout defence is possible. Some indication of the value of the naval contribution can. however, be gathered from the fact that during three days’ of fighting there has been no seaborne invasion of Crete . Convoys which by their size can be taken as evidence of Germany’s intention to support to the fullest extern; the operations by parachute troops and other airborne troops have been dispersed—not unscathed — but it is pointed out such successes can clearly not be achieved without some damage to the defending forces, though German claims of damage inflicted, on our forces are exaggerated. The massive attacks by German dive-bombers which are taking place are necessarily rendered more difficult of interception' in confined waters by lack of fighter air support, caused in its turn by lack of aerodromes in depth. Though undoubtedly the operations in general constitute a “tough proposition” for the defending forces, it can be stated that the situation is as satisfactory as it was yesterday afternoon.