War to the Knife MTO (id:#65426)

(Dispatches from the Bunker #51 ID: DB161)   [next]   [previous]

Kandanos, Crete 1941-05-23 (1 other)

Overview:

OPERATION MERCURY, the invasion of Crete, began on 20 May 1941 with large scale landings of German Airborne troops at Malème Airfield, and other areas along the Northern coast of the island. In support of airborne operation, the Luftwaffe bombed several vital crossroad towns in the interior, to hamper allied efforts to reinforce the invasion areas. On May 23rd, German commanders worried the port of Paleokhora on the southern coast, could be used to land fresh British units from Egypt. A motorcycle unit from the 5th Gebirgs-Division was dispatched to make a lightning dash across the island and seize the small port. At first light on May 23rd, lead elements of the 55th Motorcycle Battalion rumbled toward the smoldering, bombed out town of Kandanos. The Gebirgsjägers of the 55th Motorcycle Battalion crashed headlong into a small blocking force in the village. A wild, close-quarters firefight erupted as enraged Cretans boiled from every house; armed with shotguns, farm tools, axes and knives.

Defender: Greek (8th Greek Regiment and Local Partisan Forces)  

Errata (source)