The Lost Battle--Crete, 1941: Crete 1941

The battle for the Mediterranean island of Crete (May 20-June 1, 1941) was unique in three respects: it was the first airborne invasion in history; it was the first time the Allies took major operational advantage after breaking the German ``Enigma'' code; and it was the first time that invading German troops encountered mass resistance from a civilian population. MacDonald describes how General Kurt Student developed Germany's airborne doctrine during the '30s, tested it in 1940 against the Belgian fortress of Eban-Emael, then led his paratroops into Crete. The Allied defenders (Britain, Australia, New Zealand) put up a good fight but were eventually forced to withdraw to a tiny beachhead from which most of the survivors were evacuated by sea. MacDonald ( Korea: The War Before Vietnam ) staunchly defends British commander Bernard Freyberg, whom he believes performed as ably as any general could under ``impossible'' circumstances. Ironically, the breaking of Enigma's secret severely restricted Freyberg's tactical options lest the enemy discover that the Allies were ``reading his mail.'' Packed with ripsnorting action, MacDonald's battle narrative is a major account of a minor but interesting WW II campaign. Photos. (Nov.)