In much the same way as Dunkirk, the Battle of Crete was an event of heroism during a retreat. Angus Konstam has presented a battle that took place on the Eastern Front of World War II in 1941, but delves into the details of all that surrounded the British defeat. In his new book by Osprey Publishing entitled, “Naval Battle of Crete 1941: The Royal Navy at Breaking Point,” we get an insightful breakdown into the commanders, the warships and aircraft, and the tactical maneuvers between the British Commonwealth, the Italians, and the Germans. All of the aforementioned are perfectly illustrated by Adam Tooby.
Mr. Konstam gives a brief overview of what immediately preceded the Battle of Crete, which took place at the end of May. Operation Demon was a late-April Allied effort to evacuate troops from the Greek mainland. By many accounts, it can be considered a success, despite losses of several warships and hundreds of troops. But the operation did, according to the author, safely evacuate approximately 50,000 Allied soldiers. And this is where Mr. Konstam helps the reader understand why the Battle of Crete was set up for near disaster.
A Powerful Reason
Just as the Allies, led by the British Mediterranean Fleet, had evacuated the Greek mainland, they would soon have to do the same for Crete, the large Greek island located about 100 miles south of the mainland.But why would the British risk so much in the face of certain defeat? Mr. Konstam raises a very powerful notion―and viable reason―which was uttered by the admiral in command of the fleet. It was Adm. Andrew B. Cunningham who made the decision based not on the short-term possibilities, but on the long-term effects of not evacuating the army.
“It has always been the duty of the Navy to take the army overseas to battle, and if the army fails, to bring them back again,” Mr. Konstam quotes Adm. Cunningham stating to his staff. “If we now break with that tradition, ever afterwards when soldiers go overseas they will tend to look over their shoulders instead of relying on the Navy.”
Breaking up the Fleet
Mr. Konstam discusses how Cunningham broke up the fleet into several groups termed “Forces.” They would primarily move about at night, as Mr. Konstam writes that “only the arrival of night would bring an end to the [Luftwaffe’s] relentless air attacks.”
The Forces had received intelligence that the Germans planned to reinforce the land troops on Crete by sea. One interesting moment that Mr. Konstam discusses is the Lupo convoy, which was an assortment of 20 vessels ranging from fishing boats to pleasure boats. This convoy was led by the Spica-class torpedo boat Lupo. It makes for interesting reading, while at the same exemplifying how the British conducted reconnaissance at night.
British Tenacity
It becomes an exhilarating read when dawn breaks over the course of those several days from May 20 to June 1. While commanders of battleships, destroyers, and cruisers attempted to keep their soldiers and sailors alive and their vessels afloat, the numerous German bombers resorted to their “relentless air attacks.” It is during this time that the expended anti-aircraft ammunition becomes most pivotal. A prime example being the light cruiser HMS Fiji resorting to firing flares and starshells at enemy aircraft before being sunk.But it also goes to demonstrate the courage and will of the Mediterranean Fleet’s commanders to take on such a near impossible task and still come away relatively victorious: Victorious based on the mission, a mission based on retreat. Mr. Konstam again quotes Cunningham, which summarizes the Battle of Crete, stating “There is rightly little credit or glory to be expected in these operations of retreat, but I feel that the spirit of tenacity shown by those who took part should not go unrecorded.”
Mr. Konstam’s recording of events demonstrates that tenacity, which is certainly a reflection of the British people during the 1940s. The author has written a work that is insightful and easy to follow, and it is made even easier to follow and understand by the illustrations of Adam Tooby. It is possibly the finest military short piece I’ve read from Osprey.
