Crete was a campaign unique in many respects, not the least of which was its ferocity. The film details the historic battle of crete during the second world war, on the 20th may, 1941, which lasted for ten days, as the 8,000 german. Two battalions of layforce commandos were landed between 24 and 27may41 to protect the disembarkation point of sphakia, on the southern coast of crete. Download one of the free kindle apps to start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, and computer. The bestselling author of the battle of arnhem and dday vividly reconstructs the epic wwii struggle for crete reissued with a new introduction nazi germany expected its airborne attack on crete in 1941 to be a textbook victory based on tactical surprise. The bestselling author of stalingrad and d day vividly reconstructs the epic wwii struggle for crete reissued with a new introduction nazi germany expected its airborne attack on crete in 1941 to be a textbook victory based on tactical surprise little did they know that the british using ultra intercepts had already laid a careful trap it should have been the first german defeat of the war. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. Commonwealth 1941 crete evacuation weapons and warfare. If you encounter problems opening our files, please try and download them right. The same time as on april 21, 1941 in larissa the commander of the greek forces, general papagos, capitulated and the balkans campaign so went almost to the end, a briefing took place at the advanced fuhrer headquarter on the semmering, which dealt with the question whether crete should be conquered. The film was created by producerdirector christos epperson and writerproducer michael epperson, and. A regular officer in the 11th hussars, he served in germany and england. Battle of crete 1941 world war 2, photos mike hotel. Christos epperson the 11th day chronicles the stories of the men, women, and children of the cretan civilian resistance movement and their relentless struggle against nazi occupation forces from 1941 1945.
A documentary about the cretan resistance during the german occupation era 1941 1945 the flashback scenes were filmed in locations where actual battles took place during the second world war. Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from wikipedia or other free sources online. The assault began on 20 may, with landings near the islands key airports, and reinforcements the next day allowed the german forces to capture one end of the runway at maleme. Operation mercury, the german airborne assault on the island of crete in may 1941, was the first strategic use of airborne forces in history. Nazi germany expected its airborne attack on crete in 1941 to be a textbook victory based on tactical surprise. The greek forces in the battle of crete, may 1941 1 contents introduction 3 chapter one defense plans before the war 6 the situation after the. A day in rethymnon crete rene miguel entertainment. Crete 1941 the road to sphakia australian battle of. The battle and the resistance antony beevor epub nazi germany expected its airborne attack on crete in 1941 to be a textbook victory based on tactical surprise. The bestselling author of the battle of arnhem and d day vividly reconstructs the epic wwii struggle for crete reissued with a new introduction nazi germany expected its airborne attack on crete in 1941 to be a textbook victory based on tactical surprise. There are a total of 25 invasion of crete ww2 timeline may 20th june 1st, 1941 events in the second world war timeline database. The film includes accounts by patrick leigh fermor, george doundoulakis, george tzitzikas, and other eyewitnesses. Known as operation mercury it was the first mainly airborne invasion in military history. Jun 24, 2014 praise for crete 1941 few battles in world war ii can surpass crete for high drama, both on land and sea.
They had expected to control the island within a few days. After 10 days of a fierce battle, the british, greek, cretan, australian and new. Dec 15, 2015 british intelligence estimated that in the 12 day battle for crete the luftwaffe had lost 60 aircraft in the air plus 14 probables and 34 destroyed on the ground, with a further six probables, of which 61 of the destroyed aircraft were known to be ju523ms. The battle and the resistance, by antony beevor if you are still puzzled on which one of guide crete 1941. The bestselling author of stalingrad and d day vividly reconstructs the epic wwii struggle for crete reissued with a new introduction. The bombing of heraklion aerodrome in crete by the luftwaffe. Overview the battle for crete nzhistory, new zealand. Lack of space on ships combined with a scarcity of supplies meant that 6500 troops including 2100 new zealanders were left behind on crete to face inevitable capture by the germans. This article is within the scope of wikiproject greece, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of greek history on wikipedia. A great variety of flammable and explosive materials was. Little did they know that the british, using ultra intercepts, had already laid a careful trap.
Why we fight, topaz, order castles of the third reich, nanking, the 11th day. Battle of crete 1941 world war 2, photos mike hotel apartments. Are you curious about primarily publications crete 1941. The combat action reconstruction parts of these films are misleading, as the germans shown are consistently dressed throughout as fallshirmjager paratroopers. Battle of crete the battle of crete luftlandeschlacht um kreta, also unternehmen merkur, operation mercury. Crete 1941 is a 2005 documentary film featuring eyewitness accounts from survivors of the battle for. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by the miniatures page. It was the beginning of the battle of crete the largest nazi airborne operation of world war ii.
From sacramento, california, begins the panamerican tour of the historical documentary entitled. Crete 1941 on may 20, 1941, thousands of elite nazi paratroopers assaulted the island of crete. On the morning of 20 may 1941, germany launched an airborne invasion of crete under the code name unternehmen merkur operation mercury. A very interesting insight into the events that followed the invasion of crete in 1941. Lack of space on ships combined with a scarcity of supplies meant that 6500 troops including 2100 new zealanders were left behind on crete. On may 20, 1941, thousands of elite nazi paratroopers assaulted the island of crete. Sep 09, 2005 the 11th day chronicles the story of the men, women, and children of the cretan civilian resistance movement and their relentless battle against nazi occupation forces from 1941 1945a battle which inspired churchill to proclaim, until now, we knew that greeks were fighting like heroes. For 12 days, with british, australian and greek troops and cretan civilians, they fought to repel a german airborne assault on a scale never before attempted. To the modern mind it is known primarily as a beach holiday destination, however the landscape is wonderfully. German airborne invasion of crete 1941 world war 2 documentary. Crete 1941 by antony beevor overdrive rakuten overdrive. Its on behalf of a friend whos work coleague is researching his grandfather dont have a name or number im afraid and mentioned he was a royal marine commando on crete and was made p. Beginning with the events of may 20, 1941 when german paratroopers stormed the island, the film explores.
Oct 02, 2005 crete marked the last time the nazis used an airborne assult in ww ii. Operation mercury, the german airborne assault on the island of crete in may 1941, was the first strategic use of airbor. This meant that a fundamental weakness of the british defence was the complete lack of air support and antiaircraft weaponry. Dec 15, 2014 on the morning of 20 may 1941, germany launched an airborne invasion of crete under the code name unternehmen merkur operation mercury. Crete 1941 is a 2005 documentary film featuring eyewitness accounts from survivors of the battle for crete during world war ii. Crete 1941 the battle and the resistance unabridged. Crete has to be one of the most beautiful greek islands, and some would argue that there is no other place like it. The campaign revealed though allied and axis accounts.
Other leading and trailing events may also be included for perspective. Battle for crete movie may 20 1941 operation mercury youtube. All members in good standing are free to post here. Little did they know that the british, using ultra intercepts, had already laid a. Greek and allied forces, along with cretan civilians. The premiere has been programmed for tomorrow, thursday, at the crest theatre. This is a free 15turnversion of crete 1941, which is a turn based strategy game set on the mediterranean theater during the second world war. The battle for crete in may 1941 is the most dramatic battle in which new zealand forces have participated. The battle of crete is considered one of the most sensational events os t he second world war in 1941 it highlights the final act of the german greek war. Crete 1941 by antony beevor and james langton audiobook. Documentary 72 usa 2007 a documentary about the cretan resistance during the german occupation era 19411945 the flashback. On the morning of may 20, 1941, hundreds of german planes appeared in the. Royal marine units on crete 1941 axis history forum. A riveting account of the fall of greece, the battle of crete, and the cretan resistance, from the beginning of world war ii to its end.
The battle and the resistance, by antony beevor that must be purchased, it is your time to not this site to try to find. Invasion of crete ww2 timeline may 20th june 1st, 1941. German airborne invasion of crete 1941 world war 2. Documentary 72 usa 2007 a documentary about the cretan resistance during the german occupation era 19411945 the flashback scenes were filmed in the 11th day trailer on vimeo join. Dec 16, 2008 with dramatic recreations and over 20 veterans interviewed from crete, england, australia, and new zealand, including leigh fermor himself, the 11th day is a heartpounding adventure story about. The bestselling author of the battle of arnhem and dday vividly reconstructs the epic wwii struggle for crete.
The 11th day dvd crete 1941 rare oop for sale online ebay. Crete 1941, which describes personal details during the course of the axis occupation of crete and the role that the cretan resistance played. Crete 1941 is a documentary film that chronicles the world war ii battle of crete through eyewitness accounts of survivors who lived through the nazi occupation of the greek island. Beevor, formerly of the 11th hussars, writes about that battle with a soldiers eye and a historians insight. Read download crete 1941 eyewitnessed pdf pdf download. He kept a hand written diary, in which he recorded his day to day experiences of the campaign. Praise for crete 1941 few battles in world war ii can surpass crete for high drama, both on land and sea.
Entries are listed below by dateofoccurrence ascending firsttolast. Crete 1941, 9786438807, please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from wikipedia or other free sources online. You are in command of the german forces taking part in the very risky airborne invasion of crete. The british officers in crete had showed more concern about the possibility of a sea invasion. The 11th day chronicles the story of the men, women, and children of the cretan civilian resistance movement and their relentless battle against nazi occupation forces from 1941 1945a battle which inspired churchill to proclaim, until now, we knew that greeks were fighting like heroes. Crete marked the last time the nazis used an airborne assult in ww ii. A detailed research on the battlefield based on accounts and archives. During the next ten days, the 22,000 fallschirmjager systematically and at a. The film was created by producerdirector christos epperson and writerproducer michael epperson, and funded by alex spanos. During the world war 2, the strategic interest of crete is worth the help of the allies, as england, which guarantees from 1938 the territorial integrity of the island.
Doc the greek forces in the battle of crete, may 1941 george. In 2005, a documentary was released titled the 11th day. Battle of crete, canadians, cold war, greek civil war, greeks, history of greece, simon fraser university, the 11th day. Read crete 1941 germanys lightning airborne assault by peter antill available from rakuten kobo. The film was created by producerdirector christos epperson and writerproducer. The 11th day chronicles the story of the men, women, and children of the cretan. On may 20th, 1941, hitler launched historys first ever airborne. It was the beginning of the battle of cretethe largest nazi airborne operation. Battle of crete 80th commemoration pilgrimage europe. Because of the occupacion of crete kriti was considered an unrealistic military obsective, no significand defense preparationshad been made of the island. It should have been the first german defeat of the. This book, crete 1941 the road to sphakia is a dedicated study of the courageous defence of the island of crete by australian, new zealand and allied forces against the german airborne invasion. Can anyone please help me, im looking for information on royal marine units present on crete during the invasion of 1941. Our pilgrimage starts today in athens, the capital city of greece.