Crete: The Airborne Invasion (Opening Day) (hour by hour)
WW2/Battles of WW2/Hour-by-Hour • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Hour-by-hour account of the opening day of the German airborne invasion of Crete — the war's largest paratroop assault, and its costliest for the attackers. (20 May 1941)
Chronological Storyline (16 Milestones)
May 20, 1941 CE
Allied positions hold at end of day one
By evening, Allied forces still held all three airfields at Maleme, Rethymno, and Heraklion, and German paratrooper casualties had been catastrophic. However, the German foothold near Tavronitis and the imminent arrival of mountain troops by air the next morning would prove decisive. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Heraklion sector drops begin
German paratroopers of the 1st Parachute Regiment dropped around Heraklion, where British, Australian, and Greek defenders held strong positions. The drops were scattered by wind and defensive fire, and the attackers failed to capture the airfield or the town. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Freyberg holds reserves at Canea
General Bernard Freyberg, the Allied commander on Crete, withheld his primary reserve brigade from counterattacking toward Maleme, believing further landings near Canea or Suda Bay were imminent. This decision allowed the surviving German paratroopers near Maleme to regroup without facing a concentrated counterattack. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Freyberg
Photo of Lieutenant General Bernard Cyril Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg in 1952. By Archives New Zealand - https://www.flickr.com/photos/archivesnz/22905441885/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149145454
May 20, 1941 CE
Luftwaffe dominates the skies
With no Royal Air Force presence on Crete, German fighters and bombers operated with complete air superiority throughout the day, strafing Allied positions and supply lines continuously. The relentless air attacks hampered Allied movement and prevented effective reinforcement of threatened sectors. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Germans land gliders near Tavronitis bridge
German assault gliders landed near the Tavronitis river bridge and coastal positions west of Maleme, delivering troops who attempted to secure crossings and establish footholds. Some glider-borne troops managed to seize the bridge, but most were killed or captured by New Zealand defenders. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Fallschirmjäger land at Rethymno
The second wave's parachute drop west and east of Rethymno airfield placed German troops into well-prepared Australian and Greek defensive positions. The 2nd Australian Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Ian Campbell engaged the parachutists, preventing any approach to the airfield. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Heavy casualties among Maleme parachutists
Many Fallschirmjäger were shot while descending or landed far from their designated drop zones, suffering severe casualties in the opening minutes. Generalmajor Meindl himself was seriously wounded shortly after landing, disrupting German command and control at Maleme. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Second wave delayed by refueling issues
The second German wave targeting Rethymno and Heraklion was delayed by refueling difficulties and poor coordination on Greek mainland airfields. The delay allowed Allied defenders at those sectors additional time to prepare, and the later drops suffered accordingly. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Luftwaffe bombs Allied positions
German bombers and dive-bombers struck Allied positions, anti-aircraft batteries, and communication lines across western Crete, aiming to soften defenses before the parachute drops. The bombardment caused casualties and disrupted command networks but left many defensive positions intact. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Battle of Crete 1941 - World War II DOCUMENTARYInformation added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
First Fallschirmjäger drop over Maleme
The first wave of German paratroopers from the Assault Regiment landed west and south of Maleme airfield, the primary objective. Generalmajor Eugen Meindl led the assault regiment, whose troops descended directly into heavy defensive fire from New Zealanders of the 5th Brigade. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Germans consolidate near Tavronitis
Surviving Fallschirmjäger under the wounded Meindl's subordinates consolidated a small perimeter near the Tavronitis river and the coast, west of Maleme airfield. Though unable to take the airfield, they maintained a foothold and established contact with reconnaissance elements. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Cretan civilians join the fight
Cretan civilians, armed with hunting rifles, knives, and captured weapons, began attacking scattered German paratroopers who had landed in fields and villages. The civilian resistance, while uncoordinated, inflicted additional casualties and disrupted German attempts to consolidate. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
22nd Battalion holds Maleme airfield
Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Andrew's 22nd New Zealand Battalion, defending Maleme airfield and the surrounding high ground, repelled German attempts to seize the airstrip. The defenders inflicted heavy losses on the paratroopers, who lacked heavy weapons and were scattered across the area. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
Germans prepare second day reinforcements
General Kurt Student, commanding XI Fliegerkorps from the mainland, prepared to fly additional mountain troops and supplies into Maleme the following morning, betting that the airfield could be made operational. The fate of the battle hinged on whether the Allies could eliminate the German beachhead overnight. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Student
Title: Kurt Student Extra information: General der Fallschirmjäger Kurt Student (rechts) vor einem Eisenbahnwaggon stehend (Befehlszug von Hermann Göring?) People in the image: Student, Kurt: General der Flieger, Ritterkreuz (RK), Luftwaffe, Deutschland (GND 118619616) For documentary purposes the German Federal Archive often retained the original image captions, which may be erroneous, biased, obsolete or politically extreme. Factual corrections and alternative descriptions are encouraged separately from the original description. Additionally errors can be reported at this page to inform the Bundesarchiv. Alemannisch | العربية | Boarisch | беларуская | беларуская (тарашкевіца) | català | čeština | Deutsch | English | Esperanto | español | suomi | français | हिन्दी | hrvatski | magyar | italiano | 한국어 | македонски | Plattdüütsch | polski | português | română | русский | sicilianu | slovenčina | slovenščina | svenska | українська | 中文 | 中文（简体） | 中文（繁體） | +/− Original historic description: By Unknown author - cut from image:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1979-128-26, Bernhard-Hermann Ramcke, Kurt Student.jpg Deutsches Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archive), Bild 146-1979-128-26, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5621945
May 20, 1941 CE
Allied defenders detect approaching aircraft
New Zealand and Greek defenders manning positions around Maleme airfield and the coast reported large formations of German transport aircraft approaching from the north. The defenders, warned by intelligence and radar, had been on alert since before dawn. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
May 20, 1941 CE
22nd Battalion weakens at Maleme
The 22nd New Zealand Battalion at Maleme, though still holding the airfield, had suffered significant casualties and was running low on ammunition after repelling multiple German assaults. Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Andrew requested reinforcement, but none was immediately dispatched. · Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Crete
Information added by Wikimedia users. Crete, Nazi Germany paratrooper landing operation By Unknown - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5418734
