The Fall of Crete 1941: Was Freyberg Culpable?

Nonfiction, History, Germany, European General, Military, United States
Cover of the book The Fall of Crete 1941: Was Freyberg Culpable? by Major James Bliss, Lucknow Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Major James Bliss ISBN: 9781786250278
Publisher: Lucknow Books Publication: November 6, 2015
Imprint: Lucknow Books Language: English
Author: Major James Bliss
ISBN: 9781786250278
Publisher: Lucknow Books
Publication: November 6, 2015
Imprint: Lucknow Books
Language: English

On 20 May 1941, Generaloberst Kurt Student’s Luftwaffe XI Fliegerkorps conducted the first operational airborne invasion in history to seize Crete. Major-General Bernard Cyril Freyberg VC, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, commanded the British forces defending the island. Freyberg, forewarned of the details of the invasion, possessed numerical superiority over the enemy, but was defeated within twelve days. Freyberg, later blamed for the defeat due to his perceived faulty defensive dispositions, was dealt a losing hand from the start. His troops consisted of those that could be rescued from the failed Greek Campaign and lacked sufficient weapons, communications, and transport to conduct the defense. Despite the best efforts of the Royal Navy, overwhelming Luftwaffe air superiority in the absence of the Royal Air Force isolated Crete and the relentless drive of the attacking German forces captured it. Poor tactical leadership by Freyberg’s subordinate commanders and their failure to prosecute his operational plan led to defeat by the barest margin. While a tactical loss, Freyberg’s destruction of the 7th Flieger Division resulted in Hitler never considering an operational airborne assault again. Freyberg, although accepting responsibility for the defeat, should not be held entirely culpable for the loss of Crete.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

On 20 May 1941, Generaloberst Kurt Student’s Luftwaffe XI Fliegerkorps conducted the first operational airborne invasion in history to seize Crete. Major-General Bernard Cyril Freyberg VC, 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force, commanded the British forces defending the island. Freyberg, forewarned of the details of the invasion, possessed numerical superiority over the enemy, but was defeated within twelve days. Freyberg, later blamed for the defeat due to his perceived faulty defensive dispositions, was dealt a losing hand from the start. His troops consisted of those that could be rescued from the failed Greek Campaign and lacked sufficient weapons, communications, and transport to conduct the defense. Despite the best efforts of the Royal Navy, overwhelming Luftwaffe air superiority in the absence of the Royal Air Force isolated Crete and the relentless drive of the attacking German forces captured it. Poor tactical leadership by Freyberg’s subordinate commanders and their failure to prosecute his operational plan led to defeat by the barest margin. While a tactical loss, Freyberg’s destruction of the 7th Flieger Division resulted in Hitler never considering an operational airborne assault again. Freyberg, although accepting responsibility for the defeat, should not be held entirely culpable for the loss of Crete.

More books from Lucknow Books

Cover of the book The Captain Wears A Cross by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book Innovation In The Face Of Adversity: Major-General Sir Percy Hobart And The 79th Armoured Division (British) by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book Campaign Diary Of A French Officer by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book From "Poilu" To "Yank," [Illustrated Edition] by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book A Military Leadership Analysis Of Adolf Hitler by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book Operation Rösselprung And The Elimination Of Tito, 25 May 1944: A Failure In Planning And Intelligence Support by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book Surgeon In Arms [Illustrated Edition] by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book Alamein to Zem Zem [Illustrated Edition] by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book Germany's High Sea Fleet In The World War by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book Diary Of Section VIII, Of The American Field Ambulance Service by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book A Poet Of The Air; Letters Of Jack Morris Wright by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book The AAF In Northwest Africa [Illustrated Edition] by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book A Crusader Of France: The Letters Of Captain Ferdinand Belmont Of The Chasseurs Alpins (August 2, 1914-December 28, 1915) by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book The Man Who Started the War by Major James Bliss
Cover of the book A Red Triangle Girl In France by Major James Bliss
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy