Ten Days to Destiny: The Battle for Crete 1941

by G.C. Kiriakopoulos

This is the documented story, vividly retold, of one of the most important yet least acknowledged battles of World War II - the invasion of Crete in May, 1941.

Genres: World War II, History

464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Billy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unwieldy narrative of one of the least studied battles of WWII. The author swings wildly from tales of minute individual exploits all the way up to the strategic level with Hitler and Churchill. The explanation of the order of battle of both sides is very confusing and coupled with the lack of operational level maps, it makes the comings and goings on the battlefield almost incomprehensible. Not surprisingly, given the author's name, there is also a fair amount of hometeam cheering, and some of the oral histories related border on the credulous.

[Drpsychorat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very readable book on the German paratrooper invasion in May, 1941 and the heroic defense of the island by New Zealand, Australian, British, & Greeks troops and Cretan patricians. I would have liked more unit details as well as maps. But the book is well worth reading.

[Celia]

well-researched, previously untold story of the battle for Crete in world war II. It is a riveting story and the author brings it to Life, placing the reader right there in the hills and plains of Crete, following every aspect of the battle and riding a roller coaster of emotions. Good show, Mr. Kiriakopoulos!

[Bill V · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is the only detailed book on the battle of Crete that I've ever read I enjoyed it. The author's writing style is entertaining. My biggest criticsm is a lack of maps. There are also no photos which is a detraction. The book does have three of them but many places repeatedly mentioned are not on any of them.