What happened to Crete during ww2?

Crete’s residents joined 40,000 British, Greek, Australian and New Zealand troops in defending the island, often shooting down parachutes using their own rifles. However, the Allied forces misjudged the attack and, after an intense eight days of fighting, Crete fell to the Germans and the Allied forces withdrew.

When did Crete fall in ww2?

May 1941

What were the causes of the Battle of Crete?

A lack of water and limited food caused some soldiers to collapse on the side of the road. During the day most sought shelter under the olive trees. Once the navy had arrived the evacuation of soldiers began. Fighting troops were taken first with the wounded and those who had fought the longest.

Why was the Battle of Crete significant to New Zealand?

THE BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE OF CRETE [edited text] The island of Crete became a target for the German’s after they secured the Greek mainland in April 1941. It became a target because they would be able to use the island to attack British shipping and also to stop the British use of the Suez.

When was the Battle of Crete in World War 2?

Battle of Crete , World War 2 , Maleme 1941 The Battle of Crete is considered one of the most sensational events os t he Second World War ( in 1941 ) . It highlights the final act of the German – Greek war .

When did the Germans bomb the island of Crete?

On 20 May 1941, Crete was bombed by the Germans and thousands of paratroopers were dropped over the island. Crete was defended by only limited Greek and Allied forces, as the Cretan 5th Division had been transferred to mainland Greece the previous November.

Who was the king of Crete during the Cretan War?

As a result, the Macedonian king Philip V gained hegemony over Crete which lasted to the end of the Cretan War (205–200 BC), when the Rhodians opposed the rise of Macedon and the Romans started to interfere in Cretan affairs. In the 2nd century BC Ierapytna ( Ierapetra) gained supremacy on eastern Crete.

Where was the Cretan resistance during World War 2?

Massacre of civilians in Kondomari by German paratroopers in 1941. The Cretan resistance ( Greek: Κρητική Αντίσταση) was a resistance movement against the occupying forces of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy by the residents of the Greek island of Crete during World War II.