Crete 1941
Germany's lightning airborne assault
Published on 5. February 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
96 pages
978-1-84176-844-1 (ISBN)
Description
Operation Mercury, the German airborne assault on the island of Crete in May 1941, was the first strategic use of airborne forces in history.
The assault began on 20 May, with landings near the island's key airports, and reinforcements the next day allowed the German forces to capture one end of the runway at Maleme. By 24 May, the Germans were being reinforced by air on a huge scale and on 1 June Crete surrendered.
This book describes how desperately close the battle had been and explains how German losses so shocked the Fuehrer that he never again authorised a major airborne operation.
The assault began on 20 May, with landings near the island's key airports, and reinforcements the next day allowed the German forces to capture one end of the runway at Maleme. By 24 May, the Germans were being reinforced by air on a huge scale and on 1 June Crete surrendered.
This book describes how desperately close the battle had been and explains how German losses so shocked the Fuehrer that he never again authorised a major airborne operation.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
75 b/w; 11 col
Dimensions
Height: 249 mm
Width: 188 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84176-844-1 (9781841768441)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2012
1st Edition
Osprey Publishing
€16.49
Available for download
E-Book
11/2012
1st Edition
Osprey Publishing
€16.49
Available for download
Persons
Peter D Antill has a background in international politics and defence studies, with a BA in International Relations from Staffordshire University and an MSc in Strategic Studies from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. Having worked as a Research Assistant in the Department of Defence Management and Security Analysis at Cranfield from 1998 to 2002, Peter is now pursuing a career as a writer.
Howard Gerrard has been a freelance designer and illustrator for over 20 years. He has worked for a number of publishers and is an associate member of the Guild of Aviation Artists. He has previously illustrated a number of titles in the Campaign series, including volumes 77: Tarawa 1943, 81: Iwo Jima 1945, 92: St Nazaire 1942, and 96: Okinawa 1945. He lives and works in Kent, UK.
Howard Gerrard has been a freelance designer and illustrator for over 20 years. He has worked for a number of publishers and is an associate member of the Guild of Aviation Artists. He has previously illustrated a number of titles in the Campaign series, including volumes 77: Tarawa 1943, 81: Iwo Jima 1945, 92: St Nazaire 1942, and 96: Okinawa 1945. He lives and works in Kent, UK.
Content
Introduction
Chronology
Opposing Commanders
Opposing Forces
Opposing Plans
The Assault on Crete
Aftermath
The Battlefield Today
Bibliography
Index
Chronology
Opposing Commanders
Opposing Forces
Opposing Plans
The Assault on Crete
Aftermath
The Battlefield Today
Bibliography
Index