Part 55: Turn 51: 1100 26th May

Game Turn 51: 1100, 26th May

Supply Levels



GJR has almost bypassed the Allied positions, and once down the hill, is poised to either attack Suda from the back, or make an attempt at cutting off the road to the south.



The LLSR finally makes contact with the defenders of Canea. The artillery and mortar barrage is extensive, but the densily packed houses provide more than enough cover, and the artillery barrage has little effect on the British troops holding the city. 1 FJR is almost done with capturing the last few companies of the Black Watch that are currently trying to escape near Heraklion.



The CREFORCE units keep retreating towards the south, with some fortifications set up near Neon-Charion. The 19th Australian is also on the way to the village, avoiding the road south to Skafia and instead coming to help shore up the defences.



The attack by the GJR 85 continues, causing casualties on the 2nd NZ Division defenders: even with so much firepower aimed at the Kiwis, they still manage to hold on for now.



A quarter of an hour passes before the onslaught continues. The entire GJR 85 line charges down at the Kiwis, and although they are able to hold back most of the Germans, the final assault overtakes the Allied position, getting the Germans that much closer to Suda and the port. The GJR 100 has started its descent on the other side of the town as well. Return fire from the Kiwis does little, with even the artillery fire against the massed German forces not having any effect.



Within Heraklion, the last pockets of Allied resistance have been rounded up and captured, with the rest of the 14th Brigade now well on their way to the south coast of Crete. The fighting near the city has finally died down and the remaining paratroopers head to secure the city and airfield to the north.

GJR 141 is also pressing Canea closely, with ample artillery bombardments and some ineffective small arms fire. Light casualties are sustained by the defending Welch and Australian Regiment troops.



The MNDBO fires back, and has more success than the Germans, with many casualties amongst the Gebirgsjager of the 85th GJR, which are attacking Suda. The rest of the formation either keeps digging near Neon-Charion or continues marching for the safety of the south.