Part 14: Turn 10: 0900 21st May

Game Turn 10: 0900, 21st May

The fighting in the Heraklion sector does not let up, although the artillery preparations seem to do little, especially in the city, where the Germans are hunkered down in the buildings and hard to extricate. In the east, the paratrooper attack is stalled, but the few casualties caused seem to be done by the Heavy AA near the airfield, which sends precise fire down the coast, hitting and scattering the men of 1st Company, 1FJR.



Over in Rethymnon, the barrage of fire is also beginning to tell. The Australians attempt to close the distance with the support weapons of the Germans, but the fire from the recoilless rifle of 13th Company sends the Australians to the ground. Casualties are mounting for the Germans, however, with the forces in the west especially decimated, although the men stranded in the middle of the landing zone are still holding on despite the firepower brought against them.



The rest of 19th Australian Bde has finally reached Suda bay and past it to reach the outskirts of Canea. Their aim is to go past the fighting in Prison Valley and reinforce the Kiwis at Maleme.



Mortar fire continues near Heraklion, with some German casualties caused. The fighting around here seems to be turning into a lost cause for the paratroopers, as the weight of fire and numbers of the Allies are too much to hope for any breakthrough.

Over in Maleme, even though the 5th NZ Brigade is hard-pressed, they manage to cause some casualties on the Germans defending the airfield thanks to their light mortars. In Prison Valley, many Germans are forced to dive for cover as the light mortars keep thudding: the paratroopers are slowly being chipped away by the intense pressure brought upon them. Artillery also starts targeting the German mortar teams.

Artillery fire is unrelenting near Maleme, with the Germans firing back and forcing some of the New Zealanders to the ground. The remaining sectors, however, are relatively quiet, as the Germans are attempting to conserve ammunition.



The MNDBO increases the pressure on the 3FJR, with many Germans forced into cover by the attacks.