Drawing on original sources and the experiences of key participants, this book recounts the fall of Greece in World War II, the Battle of Crete and the resistance from beginning to end. The invasion of Crete totally from the air, unique in the history of warfare, turned into one of the closest-run battles of the war. The slaughter of German paratroopers on the first day by New Zealand, Australian and British troops was so great that if just one Allied platoon had still been in place at the key position of Maleme airfield ...
Read More
Drawing on original sources and the experiences of key participants, this book recounts the fall of Greece in World War II, the Battle of Crete and the resistance from beginning to end. The invasion of Crete totally from the air, unique in the history of warfare, turned into one of the closest-run battles of the war. The slaughter of German paratroopers on the first day by New Zealand, Australian and British troops was so great that if just one Allied platoon had still been in place at the key position of Maleme airfield the next morning, the Germans would have been forced to admit defeat. It was in the battle for Crete that Ultra intelligence played a key role for the first time. How General Freyburg, Churchill's favourite hero from World War I, handled that information and the battle itself remains controversial. This book shows how Freyburg misread an Ultra signal at the crucial moment - and with disastrous consequences. The book also considers some of the characters involved in the campaign: Peter Fleming, with his private army known as "Yak Mission"; the archaeologist John Pendlebury, with his glass eye and sword-stick; and commando leader Bob Laycock and his intelligence officer, Evelyn Waugh, for whom the retreat over the mountains to Sphakia triggered deep disillusionment and self-loathing.
Read Less
Add this copy of Crete: the Battle and the Resistance (History and to cart. $12.00, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by Westview Press.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Crete: the Battle and the Resistance [Series: History to cart. $19.00, like new condition, Sold by Tiber Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Cockeysville, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by Westview Press, Boulder.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. 8vo, paperback. As new condition. Contents bright, crisp & clean, unread; covers glossy. Shallow bend to rear cover corner from storage. xiii, 383 p., illus. First published in 1991 by John Murray Publishers, London (hardcover), and by Penguin Books, London (paper).
Add this copy of Crete: the Battle and the Resistance (History and to cart. $43.26, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by Westview Press.
Add this copy of Crete: the Battle and the Resistance (History and to cart. $85.88, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by Westview Press.