Part 12: Turn 8: Night 20th May

Game Turn 8: Night, 20th May

By the time the orders for the 5th NZ Brigade arrive, night has descended already, but the objective is important enough that even with the difficulties of night, it must be taken. The Matildas are finally coaxed back into action and the men of B Company, 23rd Battalion are coaxed out of the cover they had taken by officers, the mortar fire from the Germans having finally died down. It is, however, difficult for the various mortars and artillery pieces to do more than pester the Germans, although the Kiwis do use the cover of night in order to advance, although they steer clear of the clear ground immediately south of the airfield, since with the Hill lost, it would become a deathtrap.



CREFORCE troops keep moving up the road, trying to encircle the 3 FJR as well, tightnening the noose around the Germans. The element of 19th Australian Brigade keeps moving throughout the night as well, trying to reach the Canea sector in time to help the 2nd NZ Division and their crucial fight for the Airfield.



Apart from the regular rhythm of light mortars firing throughtout the night, Rethymnon sector is quiet, as in Heraklion, where the Australian start digging some basic defensive positions.



The Matildas near Maleme, even as they are being repaired, show even more problems. A defect on the turret ring of one now starts only turning clockwise, and the other Matilda throws a tracks as it attempts to move. Seeing an opportunity, the LLSR AT gun crews mount up their guns using their small R75s and make their way to the western end of the airfield, ready to set up there using the cover of night. Mortar and artillery fire from the Germans is also more effective than the equivalent british, catching in the open the men of C Company, 21st Battalion, and forcing into cover the Maori A Company.



As for the 3FJR, the situation is not so good. A salient is abandoned, but even under the cover of night, the fire from the Allies is brutal. Men, under fire, attempt to build defensive positions, but only a few are built in time, and the allies inflict many some casualties.



Rethymnon is quiet, with the Germans gathering men and supplies and preparing for the day ahead. In Heraklion, the Germans press closer in the West, and manage to find some mis-dropped companies in the east.





In the nick of time, the guns of the LLSR unmount and set up with a clear shot to the Matildas. The confusion from the mortar and artillery fire means that the men of 5th NZ Brigade have not managed their aims, and their planned early morning attack is in danger of stalling before it even begins. With the Germans well rested and in defensive positions, will the New Zealanders manage to retake the Airfield in time?