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Crete: The Battle And The Resistance
A riveting account of the fall of Greece, the Battle of Crete, and the Cretan Resistance, from the beginning of World War II to its end.
Nazi Germany expected its airborne attack on Crete in 1941 to be a textbook victory based on tactical surprise. Little did they know that the British, using Ultra intercepts, had already laid a careful trap. It should have been the first German defeat of the war when a fatal misunderstanding turned the battle around.
Prize-winning historian and bestselling author Antony Beevor lends his gift for storytelling to this important conflict, showing not only how the situation turned bad for Allied forces, but also how ferocious Cretan freedom fighters mounted a heroic resistance. Originally published in 1991, Crete 1941 is a breathtaking account of a momentous battle of World War II.
Nazi Germany expected its airborne attack on Crete in 1941 to be a textbook victory based on tactical surprise. Little did they know that the British, using Ultra intercepts, had already laid a careful trap. It should have been the first German defeat of the war when a fatal misunderstanding turned the battle around.
Prize-winning historian and bestselling author Antony Beevor lends his gift for storytelling to this important conflict, showing not only how the situation turned bad for Allied forces, but also how ferocious Cretan freedom fighters mounted a heroic resistance. Originally published in 1991, Crete 1941 is a breathtaking account of a momentous battle of World War II.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
327 people are currently reading
2052 people want to read
About the author
Antony Beevor
40 books2,603 followersSir Antony James Beevor is a British military historian. He has published several popular historical works, mainly on the Second World War, the Spanish Civil War, and most recently the Russian Revolution and Civil War.
Educated at Abberley Hall School, Winchester College, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Beevor commanded a troop of tanks in the 11th Hussars in Germany before deciding in 1970 to leave the army and become a writer. He was a visiting professor at Birkbeck, University of London, and the University of Kent. His best-selling books, Stalingrad (1998) and Berlin: The Downfall 1945 (2002), have been acclaimed for their detailed coverage of the battles between the Soviet Union and Germany, and their focus on the experiences of ordinary people. Berlin proved very controversial in Russia because of the information it contained from former Soviet archives about the mass rapes carried out by the Red Army in 1945.
Beevor's works have been translated into many languages and have sold millions of copies. He has lectured at numerous military headquarters, staff colleges and establishments in Britain, the US, Europe, and Australia. He has also written for many major newspapers.
Educated at Abberley Hall School, Winchester College, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Beevor commanded a troop of tanks in the 11th Hussars in Germany before deciding in 1970 to leave the army and become a writer. He was a visiting professor at Birkbeck, University of London, and the University of Kent. His best-selling books, Stalingrad (1998) and Berlin: The Downfall 1945 (2002), have been acclaimed for their detailed coverage of the battles between the Soviet Union and Germany, and their focus on the experiences of ordinary people. Berlin proved very controversial in Russia because of the information it contained from former Soviet archives about the mass rapes carried out by the Red Army in 1945.
Beevor's works have been translated into many languages and have sold millions of copies. He has lectured at numerous military headquarters, staff colleges and establishments in Britain, the US, Europe, and Australia. He has also written for many major newspapers.
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August 27, 2020
The Italian invasion of Greece, launched on October 28, 1940, was undertaken remarkably carelessly. Originally, Mussolini wanted to invade Yugoslavia, but the idea was firmly vetoed by Hitler.
Yugoslav raw materials were almost as important to Germany's war effort as Romanian oil. It was, to some extent, a surprise that Hitler did not also veto the attack on Greece because he had enough warning of what the Italians were up to, especially after his meeting with The Duce in Brenner on October 4.
Mussolini presented his prospective campaign as a part of a double attack on Britain's position in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the time, this plan concurred with Nazi 'peripheral strategy' of attacking Britain other than by a direct assault across the Chanel, but Hitler had not fully appreciated Italian regime's apptitude for disaster.
Emanuele Grazzi, the Italian minister in Athens, woke General Metaxas at 3 am to deliver an ultimatum, without even knowiny the conditions in detail. The diplomatic charade added insult to injury since Italian troops had already crossed the Albanian frontier. The popular demonstrations next day showed that Greece had united instinctively. Metaxas' 'No' to Grazzi is still commemorated each year on October 28th with the national holiday.
Believing that the campaign would be short and easy, the Italian army in Albania had not been provided with engineer units. The lack of strategy – a futile push into the mountain mass of Epirus instead of cutting towards the key point of Salonika – annoyed Hitler as much as the incompetence with which the campaign was executed. He pretended to have had no former knowledge of the whole venture.
Instead of a sharp campaign which would have barred the enemy from the continent of Europe, Mussolini's action, Hitler feared, had triggered the British guarantee of Greek independence given in April 1939 after the Italian invasion of Albania, and endangered his Rumanian oil supplies.
Hitler's fears were rather exaggerated because the presence of the Royal Air Force in Greece was much less a threat than he imagined. Metaxas' government refused to allow the British to threaten Rumanian oilfields.
During the Greek army's astonishingly successful campaign against the Italians, the Chiefs of Staff in London did not want British aid to go beyond the fighter and the bomber squadrons. One way of helping both the Greeks and British interests was to take responsibility for Crete, which the Italians wanted to occupy as an air and naval base. Thus, a categorical assurance was passed to the Greek government: "We will look after Crete."
This decision – a logical move provided the British government fulfilled their promise – was later bitterly lamented by the Cretans. "If only the Division were here!" became a universal cry when the Luftwaffe invasion of the island took place six months later. (The Cretan Division had impressed the British with its bravery in quite a few battles with the Italians.)
The invasion of Crete was the first major test of Ultra in operational conditions. The Germans were considering a Mediterranean island as a target for a major parachute attack, and then an indication came that this island would be Crete. Little did the Germans know that the British had already laid Ultra intercepts, and what was expected to be a short triump for the Nazi would become a prolonged struggle...
"The Battle of Crete" is a brilliantly written, detailed, and compelling account of the events preceding the battle and of the battle itself. Recommended.
Yugoslav raw materials were almost as important to Germany's war effort as Romanian oil. It was, to some extent, a surprise that Hitler did not also veto the attack on Greece because he had enough warning of what the Italians were up to, especially after his meeting with The Duce in Brenner on October 4.
Mussolini presented his prospective campaign as a part of a double attack on Britain's position in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the time, this plan concurred with Nazi 'peripheral strategy' of attacking Britain other than by a direct assault across the Chanel, but Hitler had not fully appreciated Italian regime's apptitude for disaster.
Emanuele Grazzi, the Italian minister in Athens, woke General Metaxas at 3 am to deliver an ultimatum, without even knowiny the conditions in detail. The diplomatic charade added insult to injury since Italian troops had already crossed the Albanian frontier. The popular demonstrations next day showed that Greece had united instinctively. Metaxas' 'No' to Grazzi is still commemorated each year on October 28th with the national holiday.
Believing that the campaign would be short and easy, the Italian army in Albania had not been provided with engineer units. The lack of strategy – a futile push into the mountain mass of Epirus instead of cutting towards the key point of Salonika – annoyed Hitler as much as the incompetence with which the campaign was executed. He pretended to have had no former knowledge of the whole venture.
Instead of a sharp campaign which would have barred the enemy from the continent of Europe, Mussolini's action, Hitler feared, had triggered the British guarantee of Greek independence given in April 1939 after the Italian invasion of Albania, and endangered his Rumanian oil supplies.
Hitler's fears were rather exaggerated because the presence of the Royal Air Force in Greece was much less a threat than he imagined. Metaxas' government refused to allow the British to threaten Rumanian oilfields.
During the Greek army's astonishingly successful campaign against the Italians, the Chiefs of Staff in London did not want British aid to go beyond the fighter and the bomber squadrons. One way of helping both the Greeks and British interests was to take responsibility for Crete, which the Italians wanted to occupy as an air and naval base. Thus, a categorical assurance was passed to the Greek government: "We will look after Crete."
This decision – a logical move provided the British government fulfilled their promise – was later bitterly lamented by the Cretans. "If only the Division were here!" became a universal cry when the Luftwaffe invasion of the island took place six months later. (The Cretan Division had impressed the British with its bravery in quite a few battles with the Italians.)
The invasion of Crete was the first major test of Ultra in operational conditions. The Germans were considering a Mediterranean island as a target for a major parachute attack, and then an indication came that this island would be Crete. Little did the Germans know that the British had already laid Ultra intercepts, and what was expected to be a short triump for the Nazi would become a prolonged struggle...
"The Battle of Crete" is a brilliantly written, detailed, and compelling account of the events preceding the battle and of the battle itself. Recommended.
February 1, 2016
Anthony Beevor has a distinct writing style of blending the operational aspects with human interest stories. Beevor was a regular in the 11th Hussars of the British Army. His book on Stalingrad won many prizes including the Wolfson History Prize.
This book about Crete is divided into three parts. The first part is Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece by German and Italian forces and the subsequent evacuation of the Allied forces to Crete. The second part is the largest taking up half of the book; it covers the invasion of Crete by the Germans and the evacuation of the Allied forces to Egypt. The third and last part is the organized resistance movement on Crete after the Allied defeat.
The British should have won; they had the Ultra intercepts and knew the German’s plans, but a fatal misunderstanding turned the battle to a lost. Beevor as a former soldier writes with a soldier’s eye and a historian’s insight. The author dissects the leadership of both sides illuminating their achievements and follies. In particular he found fault with the New Zealand, General Freyberg, in command of Crete. The book does not cover new information but the writing is excellent. He shows the confusion of the high command and the bravery of soldiers of both sides. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. James Langton does a good job narrating the book.
This book about Crete is divided into three parts. The first part is Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece by German and Italian forces and the subsequent evacuation of the Allied forces to Crete. The second part is the largest taking up half of the book; it covers the invasion of Crete by the Germans and the evacuation of the Allied forces to Egypt. The third and last part is the organized resistance movement on Crete after the Allied defeat.
The British should have won; they had the Ultra intercepts and knew the German’s plans, but a fatal misunderstanding turned the battle to a lost. Beevor as a former soldier writes with a soldier’s eye and a historian’s insight. The author dissects the leadership of both sides illuminating their achievements and follies. In particular he found fault with the New Zealand, General Freyberg, in command of Crete. The book does not cover new information but the writing is excellent. He shows the confusion of the high command and the bravery of soldiers of both sides. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. James Langton does a good job narrating the book.
January 2, 2020
This is a good book by the Beevs. It almost reads like two books: The first is part is the invasion itself and the 2nd part is the guerrilla campaign against the Germans. Both parts of the book are important to understand but I found the actual battle for Crete much more interesting than the guerrilla campaign. The latter was sort of an anticlimax.
The invasion for the German airborne was nearly a disaster. I’m still trying to understand how the British didn’t happen to win. They referred to shooting the Luftwaffe airborne troops as “Turkey hunting.” It is amazing how the British have a tendency to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. Hitler was hesitant to approve the invasion plan and this time his instincts were correct. The Germans would never try an all airborne campaign again. I’ll give the first part of the book, the invasion of Crete by the Luftwaffe a 5 and the second part of the book, the guerrilla campaign a 3 and a 4 overall.
Happy reading!
The invasion for the German airborne was nearly a disaster. I’m still trying to understand how the British didn’t happen to win. They referred to shooting the Luftwaffe airborne troops as “Turkey hunting.” It is amazing how the British have a tendency to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. Hitler was hesitant to approve the invasion plan and this time his instincts were correct. The Germans would never try an all airborne campaign again. I’ll give the first part of the book, the invasion of Crete by the Luftwaffe a 5 and the second part of the book, the guerrilla campaign a 3 and a 4 overall.
Happy reading!
December 21, 2025
Beevor writes detailed histories of wars, battles, and campaigns. This book is no exception. The story is told from the standpoint of the British. It describes the initial opposition by British, New Zealand and Māori troops to the German airborne assault and the British evacuation. It goes on to provide an in-depth description of the Cretan resistance against the German and Italians, both during the initial paratroop landing by the Germans and the German and Italian occupation of the island and British support of those actions.
I knew very little about the WWII activities on Crete. I think this is in part because I am American many of the books most available to me tend to center on the American battles and I have missed some of the major events where Americans did not participate. If you want a comprehensive view of the battle and resistance on the island, this is a good book to read.
I knew very little about the WWII activities on Crete. I think this is in part because I am American many of the books most available to me tend to center on the American battles and I have missed some of the major events where Americans did not participate. If you want a comprehensive view of the battle and resistance on the island, this is a good book to read.
Read
June 4, 2021Για εμένα αποτελεί ένα εξαιρετικό έργο με την πληρότητά του αλλά και την μυθιστορηματική γραφή, δεν στέκεται απλά στα γεγονότα της μάχης αλλά παρέχει όλο το ιστορικό πλαίσιο απαραίτητο για την κατανόησή της και συνεχίζει με την εξίσου σημαντική περίοδο της κατοχής και μέχρι την απελευθέρωση.
Δικαίως είναι από τους πιο αγαπητούς ιστορικούς.
Περισσότερα στο Ex Libris 196.
Δικαίως είναι από τους πιο αγαπητούς ιστορικούς.
Περισσότερα στο Ex Libris 196.
October 14, 2018
This is a very good book and one that is great pleasure to read. It is not however a masterpiece on the same level as Stalingrad or Berlin, the Downfall 1945.
Antony Beevor's fans will not be disappointed by this admirable book nor will those simply interested in a solid work on the battle of Crete.
Antony Beevor's fans will not be disappointed by this admirable book nor will those simply interested in a solid work on the battle of Crete.
July 28, 2015
I read this book whilst in Crete, and with a fair amount of prior knowledge.
I'd previously read Patrick Leigh Fermor: An Adventure by Artemis Cooper, The Cretan Runner: His Story of the German Occupation by George Psychoundakis, and Abducting a General: The Kreipe Operation and SOE in Crete by Patrick Leigh Fermor
I knew, from George Psychoundakis, that Crete has a long history of occupation and counter-resistance. The conflict in Crete between the Cretan guerrillas, supported by a handful of British soldiers, and the Nazi occupiers was extreme. The hated Germans behaved barbarically to the Cretans and punished acts of insurrection by torturing and destroying entire communities.
What I didn't know much about, was the lead up to the Battle of Crete, how the conflict played out, and a more detached perspective on the occupation. I'm a confirmed Antony Beevor fan so, reading this book, whilst visiting Crete, seemed like a logical next step.
The battle is brought vividly to life. Numerous errors of judgement meant the Germans prevailed when the Allied forces could and should have repelled the invasion. Bernard Freyberg emerges as a flawed commander whose failure to understand intelligence reports and inability to push home his advantage at key moments resulted in the avoidable defeat.
The latter part of the book describes the resistance and covers a lot of ground quickly. I was glad I had read more about this aspect of the conflict however I still gained helpful insights into Cretan politics and the broader Greek context.
This book is not in the same league as Beevor's Berlin: The Downfall, 1945 or Stalingrad, but then what is? That said it is a great read - compelling, and imbued with Antony Beevor's customary rigour and readability.
I'd previously read Patrick Leigh Fermor: An Adventure by Artemis Cooper, The Cretan Runner: His Story of the German Occupation by George Psychoundakis, and Abducting a General: The Kreipe Operation and SOE in Crete by Patrick Leigh Fermor
I knew, from George Psychoundakis, that Crete has a long history of occupation and counter-resistance. The conflict in Crete between the Cretan guerrillas, supported by a handful of British soldiers, and the Nazi occupiers was extreme. The hated Germans behaved barbarically to the Cretans and punished acts of insurrection by torturing and destroying entire communities.
What I didn't know much about, was the lead up to the Battle of Crete, how the conflict played out, and a more detached perspective on the occupation. I'm a confirmed Antony Beevor fan so, reading this book, whilst visiting Crete, seemed like a logical next step.
The battle is brought vividly to life. Numerous errors of judgement meant the Germans prevailed when the Allied forces could and should have repelled the invasion. Bernard Freyberg emerges as a flawed commander whose failure to understand intelligence reports and inability to push home his advantage at key moments resulted in the avoidable defeat.
The latter part of the book describes the resistance and covers a lot of ground quickly. I was glad I had read more about this aspect of the conflict however I still gained helpful insights into Cretan politics and the broader Greek context.
This book is not in the same league as Beevor's Berlin: The Downfall, 1945 or Stalingrad, but then what is? That said it is a great read - compelling, and imbued with Antony Beevor's customary rigour and readability.
January 14, 2014
Incredibly well-researched, and the opening chapters on the battle itself are compelling. But Beevor has difficulty maintaining his trademark readability in the face of a plethora of important historical figures, and the complex web of minor incidents and political intrigue that marked the resistance movement.
January 23, 2023
Ο Beevor με ένα βιβλίο που θα πρέπει να βρίσκεται σε κάθε βιβλιοθήκη της Κρήτης, παραθέτει αμερόληπτα και δίχως δραματοποίηση, όλα τα γεγονότα που έλαβαν χώρα στο νησί πριν, κατά τη διάρκεια, και μετά τη μάχη της Κρήτης. Με εξαιρετική ακρίβεια σε περιοχές, τοπωνύμια, και ιστορικά πρόσωπα, γίνεται μία ιστορική αναδρομή που θα εκτιμήσει δεόντως ο αναγνώστης!
Ξεκινώντας από τα γεγονότα που διαδραματίστηκαν κατά την επίθεση εναντίον της Ελλάδας, μέχρι και τη παράδοσή της, παρασκηνιακά λάμβανε χώρα η προετοιμασία για την άμυνα του νησιού κατά την επερχόμενη Γερμανική εισβολή. Η Κρήτη αποτελούσε διαχρονικά ένα γεωπολιτικό στόχο υψίστης σημασίας και κάθε υπερδύναμη την ήθελε στη κατοχή της. Οι Άγγλοι και οι Συμμαχικές δυνάμεις προετοιμάστηκαν με σχεδόν 45.000 στρατιώτες να δώσουν μία μάχη μέχρι τελικής πτώσης. Τα διαδοχικά λάθη της διοίκησης όμως, η οποία ήταν πεπεισμένη ότι οι Γερμανοί θα προβούν σε απόβαση διά θαλάσσης, στέρησε έναν τεράστιο αριθμό στρατιωτών από τα αεροδρόμια που δέχθηκαν ισχυρά πλήγματα και «έπεσαν» στα χέρια του εχθρού από τη δεύτερη κιόλας ημέρα με έναν πολύ μικρότερο αριθμό Γερμανών στρατιωτών. Από τη στιγμή που ο ανεφοδιασμός των Γερμανών τα αεροδρόμια πραγματοποιούταν απροβλημάτιστα, ήταν προδιαγεγραμμένο το άδοξο τέλος…
Παρ’ όλα τα λάθη των Συμμάχων, η αντίσταση που βρήκαν οι Γερμανοί δεν είχε προηγούμενο. Ενώ η Γερμανική προπαγάνδα προετοίμαζε τους στρατιώτες της για μία εύκολη νίκη και θριαμβευτική υποδοχή από τους κατοίκους του νησιού, η τελική έκβαση ήταν σοκαριστική. Δε μπορούσαν να πιστέψουν πως ο άμαχος πληθυσμός θα εναντιωνόταν στις ειδικές δυνάμεις των αλεξιπτωτιστών με απαρχαιωμένο εξοπλισμό. Αυτό είχε σαν αποτέλεσμα το θάνατο (ακόμα και μαρτυρικό) μερικών χιλιάδων αλεξιπτωτιστών που ήρθαν αντιμέτωποι με ομάδες ατάκτων και είχε σαν μετέπειτα εξέλιξη την αρχή τρομακτικών αντιποίνων. Χωριά κάηκαν συθέμελα και άμαχοι εκτελούνταν βάναυσα σε καθημερινή βάση όσο η αντίσταση συνεχιζόταν για όλη τη διάρκεια της κατοχής.
Μέχρι το τέλος του πολέμου και την ολική παράδοση της Γερμανίας το 1945, οι απώλειες εκατέρωθεν ήταν τεράστιες και οι πληγές που άφησε ο πόλεμος στο νησί ήταν βαθιές. Αυτό που δε μπόρεσαν όμως να υποτάξουν οι Γερμανικές δυνάμεις με κανένα τρόπο, ήταν το άσβεστο πάθος για την ελευθερία που είχε «ποτίσει» γενιές και γενιές Κρητικών λόγω της μακράς περιόδου Τουρκοκρατίας που διήρκησε μέχρι το 1896!
Ξεκινώντας από τα γεγονότα που διαδραματίστηκαν κατά την επίθεση εναντίον της Ελλάδας, μέχρι και τη παράδοσή της, παρασκηνιακά λάμβανε χώρα η προετοιμασία για την άμυνα του νησιού κατά την επερχόμενη Γερμανική εισβολή. Η Κρήτη αποτελούσε διαχρονικά ένα γεωπολιτικό στόχο υψίστης σημασίας και κάθε υπερδύναμη την ήθελε στη κατοχή της. Οι Άγγλοι και οι Συμμαχικές δυνάμεις προετοιμάστηκαν με σχεδόν 45.000 στρατιώτες να δώσουν μία μάχη μέχρι τελικής πτώσης. Τα διαδοχικά λάθη της διοίκησης όμως, η οποία ήταν πεπεισμένη ότι οι Γερμανοί θα προβούν σε απόβαση διά θαλάσσης, στέρησε έναν τεράστιο αριθμό στρατιωτών από τα αεροδρόμια που δέχθηκαν ισχυρά πλήγματα και «έπεσαν» στα χέρια του εχθρού από τη δεύτερη κιόλας ημέρα με έναν πολύ μικρότερο αριθμό Γερμανών στρατιωτών. Από τη στιγμή που ο ανεφοδιασμός των Γερμανών τα αεροδρόμια πραγματοποιούταν απροβλημάτιστα, ήταν προδιαγεγραμμένο το άδοξο τέλος…
Παρ’ όλα τα λάθη των Συμμάχων, η αντίσταση που βρήκαν οι Γερμανοί δεν είχε προηγούμενο. Ενώ η Γερμανική προπαγάνδα προετοίμαζε τους στρατιώτες της για μία εύκολη νίκη και θριαμβευτική υποδοχή από τους κατοίκους του νησιού, η τελική έκβαση ήταν σοκαριστική. Δε μπορούσαν να πιστέψουν πως ο άμαχος πληθυσμός θα εναντιωνόταν στις ειδικές δυνάμεις των αλεξιπτωτιστών με απαρχαιωμένο εξοπλισμό. Αυτό είχε σαν αποτέλεσμα το θάνατο (ακόμα και μαρτυρικό) μερικών χιλιάδων αλεξιπτωτιστών που ήρθαν αντιμέτωποι με ομάδες ατάκτων και είχε σαν μετέπειτα εξέλιξη την αρχή τρομακτικών αντιποίνων. Χωριά κάηκαν συθέμελα και άμαχοι εκτελούνταν βάναυσα σε καθημερινή βάση όσο η αντίσταση συνεχιζόταν για όλη τη διάρκεια της κατοχής.
Μέχρι το τέλος του πολέμου και την ολική παράδοση της Γερμανίας το 1945, οι απώλειες εκατέρωθεν ήταν τεράστιες και οι πληγές που άφησε ο πόλεμος στο νησί ήταν βαθιές. Αυτό που δε μπόρεσαν όμως να υποτάξουν οι Γερμανικές δυνάμεις με κανένα τρόπο, ήταν το άσβεστο πάθος για την ελευθερία που είχε «ποτίσει» γενιές και γενιές Κρητικών λόγω της μακράς περιόδου Τουρκοκρατίας που διήρκησε μέχρι το 1896!
August 21, 2020
I found this book - the first in Antony Beevor's justly celebrated histories of various campaigns of World War II - incredibly hard to read. Not because Beevor's writing is flawed - far from it: but because the story of Crete in World War II is a tragic one of flawed tactics, wrong-headedness and missed opportunities on both sides, and an appallingly unnecessary loss of life.
After the debacle of the Greek Campaign, which Beevor briefly touches on, there was little doubt that the Wehrmacht intended to take Crete. In fact the British knew, thanks to their ability to read the German code, not only the German's intentions, but also to a great extent the timing and size of the attack.
One would think that, even with troops still recovering from retreat and defeat on the mainland, this advantage would be decisive, especially considering they outnumbered the German troops by a factor of almost 2:1. The problems stemmed from the top: General Freyberg, whilst undoubtedly brave and caring of his men, was very fixed in his ideas and not gifted tactically. He seems to have almost willfully mis-interpreted the Ultra signals, and fixed his mind on the idea that the main invasion force was to come by sea, with the paratroop drop merely a precursor. This mistaken view was the main reason the Allies lost the island.
And what of the German side? General Student's plan of drops at all airfields on the Northern coast meant that his forces were stretched dangerously thin, with little ability to co-operate if they were hard pressed. The appalling lack of intelligence meant that Student was deceived into thinking the numbers of Allied troops were much less than the actual numbers on the island, and so he thought his paratroops could take the island purely by airborne assault (it is one of the ironies of war that Student was the officer commanding troops at Arnhem during Operation Marketgarden, troops the Allies didn't know were there because of an intelligence failure).
Both sides were heinously deficient in radio equipment, vital in a country both mountainous and with poor transport infrastructure. The lack of communication would affect the British very much in the first days of the invasion.
The upshot of all these failings is that most German paratroops dropped into a hail of gunfire, and while their losses were appalling, Freyberg's misjudgment and the lack of communication between his troops meant that one airfield was taken by German troops, and this was enough to allow them to bring in enough re-inforcements to win the battle. Beevor describes this disaster well, describing some very heroic (and some not-so-heroic) actions on both sides.
The second part of this book describes the four years of occupation and resistance to Nazi control over Crete, focusing mainly on the work of the British SOE operatives that were in constant touch with the bands of Cretan resistance forces that based themselves in the mountains and kept pressure on the occupying forces. Beevor covers the politics of the various Cretan forces: republican, nationalist, and communist, as well as the politics of the special forces, with their jealousies and rivalries affecting at different times not only operations in Crete, but across the Balkans.
The heroism of the Cretans, from the armed bands to the village women who risked all to shelter Allied soldiers, is hard to fathom in the modern world, but is as admirable as any other sacrifice made in those much harder times.
While Crete might have only been headline news during the War in the few short weeks when it was the frontline (and after Leigh-Fermor kidnapped General Kriepe, which Beevor covers briskly and well), there was much activity there for a long period. It is hard to think of a book that covers it better than this one.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
After the debacle of the Greek Campaign, which Beevor briefly touches on, there was little doubt that the Wehrmacht intended to take Crete. In fact the British knew, thanks to their ability to read the German code, not only the German's intentions, but also to a great extent the timing and size of the attack.
One would think that, even with troops still recovering from retreat and defeat on the mainland, this advantage would be decisive, especially considering they outnumbered the German troops by a factor of almost 2:1. The problems stemmed from the top: General Freyberg, whilst undoubtedly brave and caring of his men, was very fixed in his ideas and not gifted tactically. He seems to have almost willfully mis-interpreted the Ultra signals, and fixed his mind on the idea that the main invasion force was to come by sea, with the paratroop drop merely a precursor. This mistaken view was the main reason the Allies lost the island.
And what of the German side? General Student's plan of drops at all airfields on the Northern coast meant that his forces were stretched dangerously thin, with little ability to co-operate if they were hard pressed. The appalling lack of intelligence meant that Student was deceived into thinking the numbers of Allied troops were much less than the actual numbers on the island, and so he thought his paratroops could take the island purely by airborne assault (it is one of the ironies of war that Student was the officer commanding troops at Arnhem during Operation Marketgarden, troops the Allies didn't know were there because of an intelligence failure).
Both sides were heinously deficient in radio equipment, vital in a country both mountainous and with poor transport infrastructure. The lack of communication would affect the British very much in the first days of the invasion.
The upshot of all these failings is that most German paratroops dropped into a hail of gunfire, and while their losses were appalling, Freyberg's misjudgment and the lack of communication between his troops meant that one airfield was taken by German troops, and this was enough to allow them to bring in enough re-inforcements to win the battle. Beevor describes this disaster well, describing some very heroic (and some not-so-heroic) actions on both sides.
The second part of this book describes the four years of occupation and resistance to Nazi control over Crete, focusing mainly on the work of the British SOE operatives that were in constant touch with the bands of Cretan resistance forces that based themselves in the mountains and kept pressure on the occupying forces. Beevor covers the politics of the various Cretan forces: republican, nationalist, and communist, as well as the politics of the special forces, with their jealousies and rivalries affecting at different times not only operations in Crete, but across the Balkans.
The heroism of the Cretans, from the armed bands to the village women who risked all to shelter Allied soldiers, is hard to fathom in the modern world, but is as admirable as any other sacrifice made in those much harder times.
While Crete might have only been headline news during the War in the few short weeks when it was the frontline (and after Leigh-Fermor kidnapped General Kriepe, which Beevor covers briskly and well), there was much activity there for a long period. It is hard to think of a book that covers it better than this one.
Check out my other reviews at http://aviewoverthebell.blogspot.com.au/
September 3, 2022
Almost a begrudging 3-stars. Overall it a fairly satisfactory account of the battle, the lead-up and the aftermath. However for a historian of Beevor's reputation (at least on a popularity basis, not sure how he is viewed by professionals) it is a shockingly one-sided account. For instance, he did a lot of interviews and correspondence as the sources show, perhaps about 100. Of which exactly one (von der Hedyte) was with a German participant. While recognizing the difficulties in gathering German sources that seems just a 'bit' one-sided. Likewise with the bibliography and sources. This bias comes across in numerous ways in the book. British and Commonwealth plans and actions are described in great detail while German movements are almost puppet-like and always clumsy. Yet somehow the Germans prevailed against an enemy that had nearly perfect intelligence on their strength and plans. The description of what Ultra dispatches were actually delivered to General Freyberg is a real plus of this book (and the complete listing of them relevant to the campaign is in the appendices). I cannot recall a WW2 book incorporating this amount of such crucial historical information to such an extent. Basically, it is almost criminal that the Allies lost this battle (or any battles) given the incredible advantages in battlefield intelligence conferred by the Ultra dispatches, which were in far greater detail than I have ever realized. Basically the German paratroopers prevailed on Crete despite extremely long odds and that fact is really not acknowledged. In addition, there is author's double standard with respect to the numerous war crimes committed by British and Greek troops and irregulars against wounded and surrendering German soldiers. Nowhere is the 'Geneva Convention' mentioned in these accounts, whereas it is trotted out against the Germans when necessary to emphasize the evil enemy (while brushing off Allied transgressions). Winners rule. The maps are substandard while the reference section excellent with a complete OOB, references and the Ultra dispatches. One last note, is that the book is packed with names, some appearing for only a time of two but there is the feeling that Beevor is paying homage to his own class by mentioning every SOE (British OSS) participant with any role whatsoever as well as overstating their effect on the campaign. Especially in the last section on the Resistance, which is real slog of names, towns and political factions.
January 11, 2015
Antony Beevor's story of Crete, its capture, occupation, resistance and eventual withdrawal of the occupiers is as brilliantly researched and thrillingly told as his other books about the Second World War and events in Spain and France before and after the war.
The fall of Crete was one of those military disasters which bedevilled Britain and the Commonwealth in the early years of the war. There is little doubt that different tactics and better use of the Ultra intelligence that had originated at Bletchley Park might well have brought a different outcome rather than the humiliating defeat at the hands of the Germans.
That the Commonwealth troops, along with their Greek and Cretan allies, fought extremely bravely, both during the battle for Crete and during the post defeat resistance is never in doubt. Beevor manages to convey the horrors of warfare without resorting to the use of graphic violence. He also describes campaigns in understandable detail and makes a pretty good first of leading the reader through the minefield of Greek names, places and political organisations.
The author chooses to end the story with the moments that the Germans leave, wisely making only cursory reference to the civil war that raged in Greece until 1949.
Crete, The Battle and the Resistance is another superb military history from a master in the field
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil (thebluepencil.co.uk)
The fall of Crete was one of those military disasters which bedevilled Britain and the Commonwealth in the early years of the war. There is little doubt that different tactics and better use of the Ultra intelligence that had originated at Bletchley Park might well have brought a different outcome rather than the humiliating defeat at the hands of the Germans.
That the Commonwealth troops, along with their Greek and Cretan allies, fought extremely bravely, both during the battle for Crete and during the post defeat resistance is never in doubt. Beevor manages to convey the horrors of warfare without resorting to the use of graphic violence. He also describes campaigns in understandable detail and makes a pretty good first of leading the reader through the minefield of Greek names, places and political organisations.
The author chooses to end the story with the moments that the Germans leave, wisely making only cursory reference to the civil war that raged in Greece until 1949.
Crete, The Battle and the Resistance is another superb military history from a master in the field
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil (thebluepencil.co.uk)
March 27, 2017
Excellent book by Beevor, if you love his other works youll love this one. Excellent overview and in depth look at Crete by the men who fought it, and the subsequent reistance and liberation. The story of Crete plays out like a poorly written drama, but as they say truth is stranger than fiction. The ups and downs, the missed opportunities, and the various personalities and politics all play their role in a story that wouldnt be out of place in a modern soap opera. Highly reccomended for those interested in the subject or just a fan of Beevors writing.
April 11, 2012
Overall not a bad look at the battle of Crete and all of the characters involved in it. For me though it was not up there with the authors other books. The narrative did not grip me and I found myself wandering and having to read some section over again.
February 28, 2018
I listened to this on Kindle. If you are familiar with Antony Beevor books, more of the same, although I don't feel it was as good as his books on Stalingrad and D-Day. You will enjoy the book if you don't get too obsessed with keeping the cast of characters straight.
There is a very large cast of characters. I had to consult a map of Crete to get my bearings. The last part of the book, which dealt with the resistance and special forces operations, had by far the largest cast of characters, including a number of Greek names that were difficult to distinguish. I found it almost impossible to keep people straight, but the book gives a good overview of the Cretan campaign overall.
There is a very large cast of characters. I had to consult a map of Crete to get my bearings. The last part of the book, which dealt with the resistance and special forces operations, had by far the largest cast of characters, including a number of Greek names that were difficult to distinguish. I found it almost impossible to keep people straight, but the book gives a good overview of the Cretan campaign overall.
September 11, 2023
Beevor writes well, and in so much detail. I had never known about the invasion of Crete. Now I do. And about the arrogance of the Brits. and the futility of war. I did know about that last one already. We all should.
October 5, 2018
Fascinating account of the occupation and resistance in Crete, with accounts of the battle, quickly degenerating into farse, particular highlights. However, it was a dry read occasionally, with numerous bit-part characters introduced every other sentence in some sections. However, I can appreciate why this was necessary, given the historical significance of the events described
January 28, 2020
an education as I had no prior knowledge to the occupation of Crete
June 19, 2022
Muy interesante y entretenido.
March 24, 2025
Not an easy read. A lot of names and a lot of different dates. Was interesting to learn about the battle though as it’s not one of the more famous battles of WW2 that gets covered often.
September 3, 2024
Too many British-isms made the book difficult to understand.
Also, assume a knowledge of who the Greek political leaders were before/during the start of the war.
Otherwise a decent book but not as good as Beevor's other books.
Also, assume a knowledge of who the Greek political leaders were before/during the start of the war.
Otherwise a decent book but not as good as Beevor's other books.
April 24, 2013
I saw a review of Beevor's new book on Normandy. I was not familiar with him and looked at his previous work. I found this book on Crete. I had read articles and chapters about the battle but never a full length work. So I picked this up. Overall the book is good but with a couple of faults, there were some natural questions I feel he left unanswered.
Beevor covers the allied point of view from boots on the ground to high level command. The German point of view is covered but just supplemental.
The book is organized in three parts. Part I sets up the context with British special forces, spys and professor and the battle for the Grecian mainland. Part II is the battle for Crete and Part III is the resistance eventual evacuation. This is one of the best elements of the book, you can't understand the battle without understanding the mainland conflict immediately prior and covering the resistance completes the story.
A lot of the first part is about British professors and eccentrics in special forces. Some very interesting stories about Ian Flemming's brother Peter. Germany realized the importance of Crete, seemingly as an after thought of the mainland campaign. Britain realized the value sooner but not by much. It seems to me Britain would have been better served to use their limited troops and resources to fortify Crete and avoid conflict on the Greek mainland entirely. He points out how this coudl have been useful but never addresses it directly.
Beevor mentions that had Crete remained in Allied hands it could have become a massive airbase capable of bombing, among other things Ploiesti oilfields earlier and more consistently than the actual course of the war.
In short the German's landed spread out over the island in a plan more suited to a light or unorganized resistance. Some Anti-aircraft unit cleverly held their fire against the faster fighters and diver bombers and waited for the slower and more vital transports. British forces on the ground stoutly resisted but did not organize counterattacks. Once an airfield was captured the German pulled a logistical miracle landing enough troops quickly enough to secure victory. The window for successful counterattacks had passed.
I think the book could really benefit from more material from the German leadership point of view. Why did the spread their forces around three major objectives instead of concentrating on one. The story behind landing enough troops quickly enough to secure the victory is incredible but only told from the observer point of view.
Beevor lets his own point of view influence his writing I think he is transparently upset that this was a lost opportunity instead of the first British land victory of the war.
Much of Beevor's ire is aimed at New Zealand, Major-General Bernard Freyberg the UK commander on the island. He feels he should have trusted his ultra reports more and ignored the possible sea landings and focused on the airborne threat. He did make mistakes but, I think Beevor gives him too much heat and too high expectations. He is asking a combat veteran to completely trust a brand new source of information, ignore a form of invasion existing since man first made a raft and focus entirely on a mode of island invasion that had never occurred before in history. True airborne troops had contributed to invasions but never been the soul or primary force.
It is a good book on an generally under the radar topic. Despite the areas I would build out more or disagree with I am happy I read it and recommend it.
Beevor covers the allied point of view from boots on the ground to high level command. The German point of view is covered but just supplemental.
The book is organized in three parts. Part I sets up the context with British special forces, spys and professor and the battle for the Grecian mainland. Part II is the battle for Crete and Part III is the resistance eventual evacuation. This is one of the best elements of the book, you can't understand the battle without understanding the mainland conflict immediately prior and covering the resistance completes the story.
A lot of the first part is about British professors and eccentrics in special forces. Some very interesting stories about Ian Flemming's brother Peter. Germany realized the importance of Crete, seemingly as an after thought of the mainland campaign. Britain realized the value sooner but not by much. It seems to me Britain would have been better served to use their limited troops and resources to fortify Crete and avoid conflict on the Greek mainland entirely. He points out how this coudl have been useful but never addresses it directly.
Beevor mentions that had Crete remained in Allied hands it could have become a massive airbase capable of bombing, among other things Ploiesti oilfields earlier and more consistently than the actual course of the war.
In short the German's landed spread out over the island in a plan more suited to a light or unorganized resistance. Some Anti-aircraft unit cleverly held their fire against the faster fighters and diver bombers and waited for the slower and more vital transports. British forces on the ground stoutly resisted but did not organize counterattacks. Once an airfield was captured the German pulled a logistical miracle landing enough troops quickly enough to secure victory. The window for successful counterattacks had passed.
I think the book could really benefit from more material from the German leadership point of view. Why did the spread their forces around three major objectives instead of concentrating on one. The story behind landing enough troops quickly enough to secure the victory is incredible but only told from the observer point of view.
Beevor lets his own point of view influence his writing I think he is transparently upset that this was a lost opportunity instead of the first British land victory of the war.
Much of Beevor's ire is aimed at New Zealand, Major-General Bernard Freyberg the UK commander on the island. He feels he should have trusted his ultra reports more and ignored the possible sea landings and focused on the airborne threat. He did make mistakes but, I think Beevor gives him too much heat and too high expectations. He is asking a combat veteran to completely trust a brand new source of information, ignore a form of invasion existing since man first made a raft and focus entirely on a mode of island invasion that had never occurred before in history. True airborne troops had contributed to invasions but never been the soul or primary force.
It is a good book on an generally under the radar topic. Despite the areas I would build out more or disagree with I am happy I read it and recommend it.
October 6, 2024
Mi nota es un
8,75/10.
puede tener spoiler.
La batalla de Creta es una obra que se enmarca en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, específicamente en los acontecimientos que tuvieron lugar en la isla de Creta en mayo de 1941. Antony Beevor , reconocido por sus investigaciones históricas rigurosas y su habilidad para hacer accesibles episodios complejos de la historia militar, presenta un relato detallado y preciso de los días críticos de la invasión alemana, los enfrentamientos entre las fuerzas del Eje y los Aliados, y las consecuencias de la ocupación.
El libro comienza con un contexto estratégico. Para Alemania, la captura de Creta tenía importancia por su ubicación en el Mediterráneo, lo que les permitiría asegurar una base estratégica para futuras operaciones en el norte de África y los Balcanes. Para los Aliados, la defensa de la isla representaba una oportunidad para frenar el avance alemán en la región.
Creta se convierte en el escenario de una de las primeras grandes operaciones aerotransportadas de la historia, la Operación Merkur (Mercurio), diseñada por los alemanes. relata Antony Beevor con gran detalle cómo el ataque aéreo fue el principal componente de la invasión. Los paracaidistas alemanes, los Fallschirmjäger, fueron lanzados sobre diferentes puntos clave de la isla, con la intención de capturar los aeródromos estratégicos que permitirían el posterior aterrizaje de tropas y refuerzos. Este tipo de ataque, nunca antes visto a tal escala, sorprendió a los defensores británicos, neozelandeses, griegos y a los propios cretenses, que se unieron a la lucha armados con lo que pudieron encontrar.
Sin embargo, la invasión no fue tan sencilla como los alemanes esperaban. La resistencia de los defensores fue feroz, particularmente en torno al aeródromo de Maleme. Antony Beevor describe con detalle las decisiones tácticas erróneas y los problemas de coordinación que complicaron la defensa de la isla. Por ejemplo, señala que los Aliados, a pesar de contar con información crítica proporcionada por el sistema de inteligencia británico Ultra (que había logrado descifrar los códigos alemanes), no supieron utilizarla de manera efectiva. La falta de liderazgo eficaz y las comunicaciones deficientes entre los diferentes cuerpos militares jugaron un papel crucial en la caída de Creta.
Uno de los episodios más dramáticos que narra Antony Beevor es la lucha cuerpo a cuerpo que tuvo lugar entre los paracaidistas alemanes y las fuerzas aliadas en zonas como Galatos y Suda. A pesar de las pérdidas alemanas iniciales, los refuerzos lograron asegurar el aeródromo de Maleme, lo que permitió que llegaran más tropas alemanas a la isla. Este punto marcó el inicio del fin para las fuerzas aliadas, que no pudieron contener el avance alemán.
Lo más significativo del libro es el enfoque en las experiencias humanas tanto de los soldados como de los civiles. Antony Beevor introduce testimonios de ambos lados del conflicto, incluidos los relatos de los paracaidistas alemanes que aterrizaron bajo fuego enemigo, los soldados aliados atrapados en la defensa caótica y los civiles cretenses que tomaron las armas para defender su tierra. La brutalidad de la ocupación alemana posterior a la batalla, con represalias masivas contra la población civil por su participación en la resistencia, añade un componente trágico y conmovedor al relato.
Antony Beevor también destaca las divisiones internas dentro de las fuerzas aliadas, sobre todo entre los oficiales británicos y los oficiales neozelandeses, lo que contribuyó a las fallas en la defensa de la isla. La retirada final de las fuerzas aliadas hacia Egipto, y la desastrosa evacuación de Creta, se narra con gran tensión, mostrando cómo los soldados británicos y sus aliados se vieron atrapados en la costa, bajo constantes bombardeos de la Luftwaffe, mientras intentaban escapar.
Aunque La batalla de Creta no es una obra de ficción con personajes tradicionales, Antony Beevor centra su narrativa en varias figuras clave del conflicto que representan a los distintos bandos.
General Kurt Student (Alemania): Comandante de la operación aerotransportada alemana, Student fue el cerebro detrás del innovador pero arriesgado plan de invadir Creta usando paracaidistas. Aunque su estrategia finalmente tuvo éxito, Antony Beevor muestra cómo subestimó tanto la resistencia aliada como la capacidad de la población civil para luchar, lo que resultó en graves pérdidas para las fuerzas alemanas.
General Bernard Freyberg (Nueva Zelanda): Comandante de las fuerzas aliadas en Creta, Freyberg fue un líder respetado, pero sus decisiones durante la batalla han sido objeto de debate. Antony Beevor señala cómo su incapacidad para coordinar eficazmente a las diferentes tropas, así como su reticencia a aprovechar plenamente la información proporcionada por Ultra, contribuyeron al fracaso de la defensa.
Los Cretenses: Aunque no son personajes específicos, Antony Beevor resalta el papel fundamental de los civiles cretenses en la batalla. Armados con herramientas agrícolas y rifles antiguos, los cretenses lucharon junto a los soldados aliados y jugaron un papel clave en la resistencia contra la ocupación nazi. La brutal represión posterior muestra la valentía del pueblo cretense y la crueldad de las represalias alemanas.
El mensaje más evidente en la obra de Antony Beevor es que la guerra es impredecible y, a menudo, los errores en la toma de decisiones pueden tener consecuencias catastróficas. Tanto los alemanes como los aliados cometieron errores tácticos y de comunicación durante la batalla, lo que llevó a pérdidas humanas significativas.
Otro mensaje clave es la importancia del valor humano. Antony Beevor no solo relata los movimientos estratégicos, sino que pone un fuerte énfasis en el coraje de los individuos. Los cretenses, en particular, son un símbolo de resistencia frente a un enemigo superior en armamento y número. Su historia es un recordatorio del costo humano de la guerra y del impacto duradero que estos conflictos tienen en las comunidades locales.
Finalmente, Antony Beevor también señala que la victoria no siempre es suficiente para justificar las pérdidas sufridas. La invasión de Creta fue una victoria para Alemania, pero las enormes bajas sufridas por los Fallschirmjäger hicieron que Hitler abandonara futuras operaciones aerotransportadas a gran escala, lo que marcó un punto de inflexión en la guerra.
La batalla de Creta es un libro de historia militar meticulosamente investigado, que combina el análisis táctico con el impacto humano del conflicto. Antony Beevor es hábil en la representación de la complejidad de la guerra y en la humanización de los actores involucrados, desde los generales hasta los soldados rasos y los civiles. El autor presenta un equilibrio entre la narrativa de los grandes movimientos militares y las historias individuales, lo que lo convierte en un relato accesible pero profundamente detallado.
puede tener spoiler.
La batalla de Creta es una obra que se enmarca en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, específicamente en los acontecimientos que tuvieron lugar en la isla de Creta en mayo de 1941. Antony Beevor , reconocido por sus investigaciones históricas rigurosas y su habilidad para hacer accesibles episodios complejos de la historia militar, presenta un relato detallado y preciso de los días críticos de la invasión alemana, los enfrentamientos entre las fuerzas del Eje y los Aliados, y las consecuencias de la ocupación.
El libro comienza con un contexto estratégico. Para Alemania, la captura de Creta tenía importancia por su ubicación en el Mediterráneo, lo que les permitiría asegurar una base estratégica para futuras operaciones en el norte de África y los Balcanes. Para los Aliados, la defensa de la isla representaba una oportunidad para frenar el avance alemán en la región.
Creta se convierte en el escenario de una de las primeras grandes operaciones aerotransportadas de la historia, la Operación Merkur (Mercurio), diseñada por los alemanes. relata Antony Beevor con gran detalle cómo el ataque aéreo fue el principal componente de la invasión. Los paracaidistas alemanes, los Fallschirmjäger, fueron lanzados sobre diferentes puntos clave de la isla, con la intención de capturar los aeródromos estratégicos que permitirían el posterior aterrizaje de tropas y refuerzos. Este tipo de ataque, nunca antes visto a tal escala, sorprendió a los defensores británicos, neozelandeses, griegos y a los propios cretenses, que se unieron a la lucha armados con lo que pudieron encontrar.
Sin embargo, la invasión no fue tan sencilla como los alemanes esperaban. La resistencia de los defensores fue feroz, particularmente en torno al aeródromo de Maleme. Antony Beevor describe con detalle las decisiones tácticas erróneas y los problemas de coordinación que complicaron la defensa de la isla. Por ejemplo, señala que los Aliados, a pesar de contar con información crítica proporcionada por el sistema de inteligencia británico Ultra (que había logrado descifrar los códigos alemanes), no supieron utilizarla de manera efectiva. La falta de liderazgo eficaz y las comunicaciones deficientes entre los diferentes cuerpos militares jugaron un papel crucial en la caída de Creta.
Uno de los episodios más dramáticos que narra Antony Beevor es la lucha cuerpo a cuerpo que tuvo lugar entre los paracaidistas alemanes y las fuerzas aliadas en zonas como Galatos y Suda. A pesar de las pérdidas alemanas iniciales, los refuerzos lograron asegurar el aeródromo de Maleme, lo que permitió que llegaran más tropas alemanas a la isla. Este punto marcó el inicio del fin para las fuerzas aliadas, que no pudieron contener el avance alemán.
Lo más significativo del libro es el enfoque en las experiencias humanas tanto de los soldados como de los civiles. Antony Beevor introduce testimonios de ambos lados del conflicto, incluidos los relatos de los paracaidistas alemanes que aterrizaron bajo fuego enemigo, los soldados aliados atrapados en la defensa caótica y los civiles cretenses que tomaron las armas para defender su tierra. La brutalidad de la ocupación alemana posterior a la batalla, con represalias masivas contra la población civil por su participación en la resistencia, añade un componente trágico y conmovedor al relato.
Antony Beevor también destaca las divisiones internas dentro de las fuerzas aliadas, sobre todo entre los oficiales británicos y los oficiales neozelandeses, lo que contribuyó a las fallas en la defensa de la isla. La retirada final de las fuerzas aliadas hacia Egipto, y la desastrosa evacuación de Creta, se narra con gran tensión, mostrando cómo los soldados británicos y sus aliados se vieron atrapados en la costa, bajo constantes bombardeos de la Luftwaffe, mientras intentaban escapar.
Aunque La batalla de Creta no es una obra de ficción con personajes tradicionales, Antony Beevor centra su narrativa en varias figuras clave del conflicto que representan a los distintos bandos.
General Kurt Student (Alemania): Comandante de la operación aerotransportada alemana, Student fue el cerebro detrás del innovador pero arriesgado plan de invadir Creta usando paracaidistas. Aunque su estrategia finalmente tuvo éxito, Antony Beevor muestra cómo subestimó tanto la resistencia aliada como la capacidad de la población civil para luchar, lo que resultó en graves pérdidas para las fuerzas alemanas.
General Bernard Freyberg (Nueva Zelanda): Comandante de las fuerzas aliadas en Creta, Freyberg fue un líder respetado, pero sus decisiones durante la batalla han sido objeto de debate. Antony Beevor señala cómo su incapacidad para coordinar eficazmente a las diferentes tropas, así como su reticencia a aprovechar plenamente la información proporcionada por Ultra, contribuyeron al fracaso de la defensa.
Los Cretenses: Aunque no son personajes específicos, Antony Beevor resalta el papel fundamental de los civiles cretenses en la batalla. Armados con herramientas agrícolas y rifles antiguos, los cretenses lucharon junto a los soldados aliados y jugaron un papel clave en la resistencia contra la ocupación nazi. La brutal represión posterior muestra la valentía del pueblo cretense y la crueldad de las represalias alemanas.
El mensaje más evidente en la obra de Antony Beevor es que la guerra es impredecible y, a menudo, los errores en la toma de decisiones pueden tener consecuencias catastróficas. Tanto los alemanes como los aliados cometieron errores tácticos y de comunicación durante la batalla, lo que llevó a pérdidas humanas significativas.
Otro mensaje clave es la importancia del valor humano. Antony Beevor no solo relata los movimientos estratégicos, sino que pone un fuerte énfasis en el coraje de los individuos. Los cretenses, en particular, son un símbolo de resistencia frente a un enemigo superior en armamento y número. Su historia es un recordatorio del costo humano de la guerra y del impacto duradero que estos conflictos tienen en las comunidades locales.
Finalmente, Antony Beevor también señala que la victoria no siempre es suficiente para justificar las pérdidas sufridas. La invasión de Creta fue una victoria para Alemania, pero las enormes bajas sufridas por los Fallschirmjäger hicieron que Hitler abandonara futuras operaciones aerotransportadas a gran escala, lo que marcó un punto de inflexión en la guerra.
La batalla de Creta es un libro de historia militar meticulosamente investigado, que combina el análisis táctico con el impacto humano del conflicto. Antony Beevor es hábil en la representación de la complejidad de la guerra y en la humanización de los actores involucrados, desde los generales hasta los soldados rasos y los civiles. El autor presenta un equilibrio entre la narrativa de los grandes movimientos militares y las historias individuales, lo que lo convierte en un relato accesible pero profundamente detallado.
March 7, 2012
One of the striking things about this book is the portrait of British class society. The use of golfing and shooting metaphors by British officers for example: such and such a regiment had to "walk the course" or "bagged a brace of Germans before breakfast." British society does indeed appear absurd. The contrast is all the stronger because it is in the face of war. This is something that Evelyn Waugh later exploited in Officers and Gentlemen, and is used in effect as part of the reason for the loss of Crete. When reading Beevor it is clear that it had nothing to do with the loss of Crete, the reasons for the success of the German airborne invasion are clear enough in the self-delusion of the New Zealand commander and the persistence of the Germans in their use of Maleme airfield.
There are many tales of "derring-do" involving British toffs and scholars, which were undoubtedly of very little military significance, but because many of those involved were writers, achieved more post-war coverage than they truly deserved.
This is a good book by Beevor, but I am much more interested in his Stalingrad and generally in hearing about the "Great Patriotic War" of Russia than reading stories like Crete.
There are many tales of "derring-do" involving British toffs and scholars, which were undoubtedly of very little military significance, but because many of those involved were writers, achieved more post-war coverage than they truly deserved.
This is a good book by Beevor, but I am much more interested in his Stalingrad and generally in hearing about the "Great Patriotic War" of Russia than reading stories like Crete.
June 8, 2024
Antony Beevorin "Taistelu Kreetasta" (WSOY, 2012) käsittelee saksalaisten laskuvarjojääkärien hyökkäystä Kreetalle keväällä 1941, liittoutuneitten tappioon päättynyttä taistelua ja sitä seurannutta miehityskautta aina toisen maailmansodan päättymiseen asti ja vähän ylikin.
Saksalaisille olisi voinut jäädä operaatiosta lyhyt tikku käteen, mutta epäonnekseen puolustajat uskoivat viimeiseen asti varsinaisen hyökkäyksen tulevan mereltä.
Saksalaisten näkökulma jää kirjassa yllättävän vähälle, mutta sen sijaan vastarintaa organisoineiden englantilaisten erikoisagenttien vaiheet tulevat kartoitettua yksityiskohtaisesti.
Välimeren alueen sotatapahtumat eivät ainakaan itselleni ole kovin tuttuja, joten siinä mielessä kirja tarjosi ihan yleissivistävän katsauksen aiheeseen. Lisäksi se herätti mielenkiinnon tutustua saarella palvelleen ja kokemuksistaan puolifiktiivisesti kirjoittaneen Evelyn Waughin tuotantoon.
Saksalaisille olisi voinut jäädä operaatiosta lyhyt tikku käteen, mutta epäonnekseen puolustajat uskoivat viimeiseen asti varsinaisen hyökkäyksen tulevan mereltä.
Saksalaisten näkökulma jää kirjassa yllättävän vähälle, mutta sen sijaan vastarintaa organisoineiden englantilaisten erikoisagenttien vaiheet tulevat kartoitettua yksityiskohtaisesti.
Välimeren alueen sotatapahtumat eivät ainakaan itselleni ole kovin tuttuja, joten siinä mielessä kirja tarjosi ihan yleissivistävän katsauksen aiheeseen. Lisäksi se herätti mielenkiinnon tutustua saarella palvelleen ja kokemuksistaan puolifiktiivisesti kirjoittaneen Evelyn Waughin tuotantoon.
October 25, 2015
He leído otros libros de Antony Beevor y los he disfrutado, este no se encuentra entre ellos, me costó concentrarme ya que hay una lista interminable de personajes, es posible que mi estado actual no esté para leer hazañas bélicas, digo esto en defensa del señor Beevor y su obra. Una cosa que si saqué de este libro es que la resistencia Griega fué feroz y tenaz, al contrario que la resistencia francesa durante su ocupación, muchos franceses cooperaron con los invasores por razones de supervivencia o ideológicas, miles de mujeres después de la ocupación fueron acusadas de cooperación horizontal y vituperadas por ello. En Creta el odio de sus ciudadanos a los invasores es siempre obvio y consistente a través de este libro.
Tendré que leer este libro en el futuro para ver si le puedo añadir una o dos estrellas mas.
Tendré que leer este libro en el futuro para ver si le puedo añadir una o dos estrellas mas.
January 26, 2015
Though I have shelved it in War, it is not really a War book. It is a series of anecdotes and trivia, first about the conquest of Greece, then the parachute assault on Crete, and finally the Resistance movement in the island. The colorful Britons that populated the Mediterranean are plentiful here, but a discussion of the hows and the whys is quite lacking. The best part is the resistance, as it fits well with the author's search for human color instead of actual tactical information.
Probably not so bad if you want some details about that trying period, but as a description of a battle, very poor.
Probably not so bad if you want some details about that trying period, but as a description of a battle, very poor.
April 6, 2013
Another excellent piece of work by Antony Beevor. He tells great history in a very acceable way, and this is no exception. He gives first hand accounts, sometimes very funny, of the fighting, and also about the immense sacrifices of the Cretians themselves, and the great resistance they put up, and courage in sheltering Allied soldiers. I read this while on holiday in Crete, and it certainly made the whole read a lot pore poignant.
April 23, 2013
I was surprised how boring this book was. Beevor usually writes history like a thriller. This one was a dud.
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