AUSTRALIAN TROOPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1941, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN TROOPS

NOW FIGHTING IN CRETE VETERANS OF WESTERN DESERT AND GREECE. LARGE NUMBER OF GERMANS KILLED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 23. A large body of Australian troops —veterans of the Western Desert and Greek campaigns—are now fighting in Crete. They are under the command of Major-General Freyberg, and are fighting as an Anzac force. Large numbers of Germans have been killed accidentally as a result of their planes crashing, or by parachutists falling into trees. The parachutes, opening instantly from a low altitude, swing violently like pendulums, and arc most difficult to hit. It takes about ten minutes for the men to free themselves and pick up their packs, guns and ammunition. Our troops find this the best time to attack. It is authoritatively stated that the German claims of losses inflicted on our ships in the Mediterranean are exaggerated. The British Navy has succeeded in defeating all attempts to land forces in Crete from the sea. A big convoy, going to Crete, was scattered and driven north .and Italian ships were seen picking up survivors. Heavy aerial attacks, in comparatively confined waters, prevented the British ships chasing the enemy to their lairs. The Navy is facing a tough proposition, be-i cause it must carry on a ceaseless fight in close proximity to enemy aerial bases. The Germans are using power-! ful formations of dive-bombers, so it is' almost inevitable that there must be| some losses under such circumstances. Naval anti-aircraft guns have taken toll of the enemy bombers.