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Struggle for Crete, The - A Story of Lost Opportunity, 20th May-1st June 1941

By: Oxford University Press

Type: Softcover

Product Line: Historical Books (Oxford University Press)

Last Stocked on 8/23/2022

Product Info

Title
Struggle for Crete, The - A Story of Lost Opportunity, 20th May-1st June 1941
Category
Author
I.M.G. Stewart
Publish Year
1991
Pages
552
Dimensions
5.25x7.75x1.75"
NKG Part #
2147570910
Type
Softcover

Description

By the spring of 1941 Hitler had conquered Western Europe. As a last preparation for his invasion of Russia he determined to secure his southern flank by occupying Crete. On 21 May his elite Air Division landed on the island, to encounter a chance collection of New Zealanders, Australians, and British, most of them survivors of the campaign in Greece. For ten days the conflict raged among olive groves and across terraced hillsides, until eventually the allies were forced to withdraw.

The author was a Medical Officer with the 1st Welch in Crete. Drawing on many fresh sources he has made the most comprehensive study yet of the battle, concluding that it was a great opportunity lost; that the Germans could have been repulsed, and Crete saved to become a base from which to threaten Hitler's hold on the Balkans.

This gripping and authoritative account will appear to the general reader as much as to the military historian.