Part 52: Turn 48: Night 25th May

Game Turn 48: Night, 25 May

Supply Levels



The LLSR keeps moving up the road, trying to bypass Canea and join the GJR 85 heading towards Suda. The going is fairly slow during the night: after days of hard fighting, the soldiers of the LLSR surely need a rest.



In Heraklion, the chase keeps going, as the Germans attempt to entrap any fleeing allies, even though it is difficult for them to stop them during the night.



An unexpected boon for the Germans is that the LLSR paratroopers are joined by survivors of the ill-fated 3rd FJR that had been hiding out in prison valley when the regiment had been encircled and destroyed in detail. (Random Event: Lost Fallschirmjager)

CREFORCE keeps building up, and there is some good news for the defenders of Suda, as Layforce commandos arrive to help screen the Allied units and enable them to withdraw further down south. The DDF leaves the trenches, not equipped well enough to be more than a nuisance to the Germans. Meanwhile, the 19th Australian Brigade has nearly arrived near Gergeoupolis.



In Heraklion, the retreat is in progress throughout the night, and more elements of the 14th Brigade are able to slip away from the fight. The cover of night also allows some of the scattered remaining British troops to lose contact with the Germans.



What's left of the 2nd NZ Division either keeps digging on the Suda perimeter, or are transported to safety from Canea: the 10th Composite Battalion has left the island, although the remaining scratch companies are very badly shaken.

Under the cover of darkness, Gebirgsjager from the 141 and elements from the 85 infiltrate towards the guns, engaging them and preventing them from being able to screen the approaches to Canea. The fire from the AA guns is ineffective, and no casualties are sustained by the Germans during the infiltration. Once the approaches have been cleared, both GJR 85 and 141 have an easier time getting set up to either assault Canea or Suda. Reinforcements and more artillery also make their way out of Maleme towards the fight.



Night will soon end, and like the previous days, this will likely mean a concentrated attack by the German forces. The defenders of Suda and Canea can only hope that they will be able to get away.