Part 37: Turn 33: 0700 24th May

Game Turn 33: 0700, 24th May

Supply Levels:



The dawn bombardment begins with the Australian mortars, who manage to catch the men of the LLSR sleeping: the 3rd Company, reconstituted from the remains of the glider-borne troops and other paratroopers gathered in the Maleme area, is rendered combat-ineffective once again. The paratrooper company north of them is also hit hard by the barrage.



In Rethymnon, the AT guns of the Germans are successfully captured after an assault, and the remaining German infantry is very hard pressed to the north.



The last remnants of the Prison Valley pocket are assaulted again and again by MNDBO forces, as well as attacks on Detachment Gentz, but the Germans still hold out for now. Some of the MNDBO forces start moving north in preparation of backing up the 19th Australian Brigade.



The 14th Brigade hits the Germans in Heraklion hard, with mortars managing to take out a surprising number of Germans even through the protective shield of the city.



The start of the German attack near Modion is pre-empted by a strafe of the enemy mortar teams by the Luftwaffe: largely ineffective, the only success is in the south, where a 4th Bde mortar team gets taken out by a strafing run.



The LLSR opens up on the Australian, and the storm of lead forces the Australian officers to go on a frenzy trying to make sure their soldiers return fire and remain alert despite the attack. Casualties are limited, but both the Kiwis and Aussies are being stretched thin. The 4th Brigade fires some of its mortars back, but they fail to find their mark: some supplies, however, do make it to the front, helping the Allied troops on the line. (Allied random event: Supply Drop)



Attempts are made in Rethymnon for the 2 FJR to fight back, but there aren't enough Germans left to make an impact: the little firepower they can produce doesn't make a dent on the Australian troops.



The 4th NZ Brigade keeps up the fire, lighting up the positions held by the GJR 100, but the effect of the fire is low, as the German officers and NCOs keep the soldiers in line.



With their artillery ranged, the LLSR lets loose again, and this time the fire is much more effective, decimating D Company, 20th Battalion of the 2nd NZ Division, which takes high casualties and becomes exposed by small arms fire from the paratroopers, which proceed to pick them off as they retreat.



Light mortar fire from the various CREFORCE units does little, although the MNDBO starts approaching the trenches being created: backing the line is crucial at this point in the battle.



A desperate attack is attempted in Heraklion, but the houses and maze-like alleys prove too difficult to traverse for the paratroopers, and the whole thing is called off after a few quarters of an hour.

More reinforcements come up for the 5th Gebirgs Division, this time in the form of bicycle troops and a bicycle-towed heavy mortar. The GJR 85 keeps moving up the road in order to get into position, and artillery strikes the Australians, causing many casualties.