Part 9: Turn 5: 1500 20th May (Part 2)

Game Turn 5: 1500, 20th May (Part 2)

In the Kastelli sector, Detachment Meurbe attempts to extricate itself out of its perilous position, but accurate fire from the Greeks prevents them from moving. Eventually, the Greek infantry manags to round up the remaining Germans, and they are marched off towards Kastelli under armed guard. Det Gentz keeps up the stalemate against the Royal Marines, as its fire (again) has little effect on the British troops. Sporadic mortar fire does little to dissuade the defenders of Hill 107 as well.



Back in Rethymnon, the artillery piece on the hill is hit by accurate mortar fire from 12th Company, 2FJR, destroying most of its pieces. This frees the paratroopers on the coast to move forward, where A Company on the coast receives some MG fire from the Germans, with some effect. All other units move forward, trying to reach the airfield and clear the Allied forces.



The guns of the LLSR can be heard once again, and Hill 107 receives a hard pounding, but the Kiwis on top are unphased, their leaders effectively rallying the men. Another attempt is made to storm the Hill, but the men of 7th Company retreat after facing determined fire from the MG emplacements. An attack from the Norh by 6th Company is similarly uneffective.



CREFORCE finally starts moving. Around Canea, the 1 Welch, Rangers and DDF (Dock Defence Force) are kept close as a force reserve, but the Royal Perivalians, Royal Marines and Australians make their way towards the fight.



19th Australian Brigade forces near Georgeoupolis also start the long trek towards Canea.



In the Rethymnon Sector, 19th Aus Bde troops fire at the Germans, causing some light casualties and forcing the Germans nearest to the airfield to search for cover. Some of the Australians move up to pour even more fire on the Germans, which sustain even more casualties.



Fighting erupts around Maleme Airfield as the 5th Bde attempts to close the distance and threaten the airfield before it can be fully protected, along with reinforcing Hill 107. The Surrounded Germans in Pirgos receive a entire Brigade worth of firepower, but keep holding on, somehow. Units are infiltrated in order to threaten to attack the eastern end of the runway, but the attack itself never materialises.