Part 46: Turn 42: 0900 25th May

Game Turn 42: 0900, 25th May

Supply Levels



The artillery park for the Gebirgs Division is set up, and contact is made to the forces of the 85 and 100 GJR, ready for the coming bombardments. The GJR 100 is the first to act, attempting to storm the Hussars on the hill, but even with a heavy preliminary bombardment, the Gebirgsjager are unable to scale the heights.



The LLSR keeps attacking the MNDBO forces, especially on the hill, and they take a hard pounding, especially amongst the remnants of the 19th Australian Brigade, with a gap opening up on the line that is likely to be exploited by the Germans soon. Morale for the Commonwealth troops is flagging: this level of casualties can't be sustained for long.



Another attack by the GJR 85 devastates the MNDBO line: at this point, it is clear that the Allies need to pull back or lose most of their force in the fighting. but the Allies lack any sort of artillery that might be able to screen their forces. It seems that the time for the Allies in Crete is soon coming to an end.



Trying to help their comrades in the MNDBO, the 2nd NZ Divisional artillery, probably the largest concentration that the Allies have left within the Maleme/Canea sector, provides cover fire for the MNDBO troops to withdraw. Will it be enough?



One of the 2nd NZ Division Companies moves forward to provide spotting for more artillery fire, and the artillery keeps going down the line to allow the allied forces to retreat.



While the GJR 141 starts moving off the airfield, the rest of the Gebirgs Division renews the attack, wanting to press the Allies hard while they can. The Hussars on the front line get assaulted by the 1st Company Gebirgsjager, and are quickly forced to surrender, even after downing some of the charging Germans. The Royal Artillery company, acting as front line infantry, also gets charged and is forced to surrender. The front line is crumbling.



Although some supplies are making it through to the front, it is unlikely the swing the balance now, that has shifted firmly in the favour of the Germans and the constant reinforcements pouring in from Maleme. (Random Event; Supply Drop (allies))

The LLSR replicates some of the success down south, clearing the entire hill between the two fronts of Allied troops. Artillery and mortars saturation attempts to dislodge the southern end of the entrenched line, but the men stand fast in their heavily protected shelters.



After spotting for some more covering artillery fire, the 2nd NZ Division company retreats. With the situation untenable even with a second defensive line, the 2nd NZ Division retreats.