Part 32: Turn 28: 1300 23rd May

Game Turn 28: 1300, 23rd May

The Luftwaffe descends from the skies and strikes the positions of the Australians, targeting the mortars and infantry of B Company, 2/8 Infantry, but the strikes do not produce any significant results. (Random Event: Air Strike)



The battle continues in both Rethymnon and Heraklion, with CREFORCE units moving to engage the remaining Germans in either sector, with mixed results in terms of the fire, since the enemy formations are only lightly disrupted by it.





As for the front line near Canea, both the 19th Aus Bde and the 4th NZ Bde pull back some of their units, while entrenching operations are still taking place right behind them, with the plan being to hold the line there until the defences are in place and both Brigades can retreat back to them for a more defensible position.



Not wanting to give the Allies a chance to recuperate, the LLSR presses on, re-engaging the Australians so they can't retreat back further without risking further fire from the paratroopers. There is some light mortar and artillery fire, but it is largely desultory.



The GJR 100 also attempts to reconnect with the retreating Commonwealth troops, but also pull back some of their companies in order to give them some rest and respite, as their cohesion is rather low. Some artillery is also sent to help the retreats, and does little but make some New Zealanders duck. In the south, the GJR 100 is thinner, and thus somewhat of a no-man's-land is created.



In Kastelli, the situation is looking grim, as the GJR 85 continues to assault the Greek troops there, taking out the northern part of the line. Thanks to their defensive positions in the south, however, the Greeks hold strong, forcing some casualties on the Germans.