As Axis forces fell from the Cretan skies and emerged from the Aegean Surf, a battered and weary Anglo-Commonwealth force could only hold for so long. Professor Grove highlights the costly but vital involvement of the Royal Navy in the evacuation of Crete.
For Britain, the situation looked promising. Although the German airborne invasion of Crete began on 20 May 1941, and was to be supported by German mountain troops and Italian marines, landed by sea, British Signals intelligence and confirmatory reconnaissance had revealed the presence of an invasion fleet of 25 small coasters and sailing caïques each loaded with about a hundred troops, ammunition and artillery.
Assailed by an overwhelming British force of three cruisers and four destroyers, the weak Italian escort, a single torpedo boat, Lupo, was driven off and all but three transports were sunk; none got to Crete. However, effective rescue led by Lupo meant as few as 314 Axis personnel were lost, with more than 2,000 Germans plucked from the sea.
Unfortunately British Imperial forces ashore were unable to exploit this maritime success and attempted counterattacks on the captured airfield of Maleme. They failed, despite the blunders, heavy losses,…
