Part 26: Turn 22: 1700 22nd May

Game Turn 22: 1700, 22nd May

The two sides, having made contact, are now simply slugging it out, hoping to be the first that breaks the defensive line so that they can save their comrades. The 2nd NZ Division is the first to begin festivities, as artillery and light mortars light the sky with fire. The pioneers on the very southern edge of the German inner line finally give way, and the 4th Brigade is getting closer and closer to achieving their aims and contacting the imperilled 5th Brigade. The 5th Gebirgs troops also sustain some light casualties of their own.





The 7th Flieger Division gets reorganised and saves supplies, and although some fire is sent towards the Allies, it does little. The LLSR, after about a quarter of an hour, sends a more serious storm of lead towards the position of the 5th Brigade, but the heavy entrenchments save most of them from harm.



Light Mortar fire from the CREFORCE units seems to have little effect apart from harassing the Germans, although in Heraklion some casualties are felt.

The MNDBO, wanting to finally finish the German 3 FJR, mounts a spirited attack. The 13th Company 3 FJR guns are attacked, with many casualties although the Germans repulse the attack. Near Aghya Prison, where the 11th Company had held out for so long, the continuous fire from the siege finally has an effect on the paratroopers, who stop firing back at their attackers. Seeing a chance, the Hussars finally force an assault, and some extraordinary bravery on their part finally takes the prison, forcing the Germans to surrender. The fight for the titular prison is finally over.



The paratroopers of KG Ramcke get hit hard by 19th Aus Bde, and gaps start appearing in their defensive lines: it's likely they won't be able to hold much longer, but night is quickly approaching.



Over in Rethymnon, the German resistance is starting to disintegrate, and only a few platoons of infantry are left, although an MG Company on the west side proves to have some bite left after several assaults fail.



Partisans near Ropaniana to the west of Maleme attempt another time to attack the artillery pieces, but yet again are repulsed by their crews.