Guys :

Can you believe it, it will be the 62nd anniversary this month of this epic battle. Gents, can we please list on this thread what books are available about this struggle ?
I can start with After the Battle # 47.........others please !

also everyone's thoughts on the what if's or why the Germans did what they di during the airborne portion of the op. Had they known the New Zealand/Greek Defences.......etc.

Danke

E

There is a good article from some guys from the 5th Kompanie of the 6th Fallschirmjaeger Regiment who went to crete for the 60th anniverserary of the battle. It can be found at: Battle For Crete 60th Anniverserary

The same guys are going back for this years event, so hopefully we'll see another After Action Report as to what went on soon.

Langemann

Erich, as a matter of fact--I just spotted a new book about Crete at Barnes and Nobles just yesterday. It is in a format very similar to the Osprey titles--is published by some publishing house in the U.K, I just cant remember the name of the title or publisher--I had never heard of them before.

At any rate--I briefly looked at the contents--and does look like a good book. I picked it up along with a few others and was about to buy them when..................... I spotted a new book by Antony Beevor. He is the auther who wrote Stalingrad--which I loved. This book is on the Battle for Berlin--and im greatly anticipating getting the chance to read it. Unfortunately for the other books--I bought this one instead.

Also, I have I think 4 other books to read first (im still on the one: Through Hell For Hitler) by: Henry Metelmann, and when finished with that--im going to read my new Franz Korowski paperback on German RKTs, then ny newly recieved gift from out friend Stevin O. which he gave me as a B-day presant, a nice book about Sepp Dietrich--which I also greatly anticipate reading.

I wonder if there is a book that is like The Blonde Knight of Germany is--but about Werner Molders, Hermann Graf, Heinz Bar, Johannes Steinhoff and Hajo Herrmann. I NEED more info on Luftwaffe

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

I almost forgot this strange thought.

When I was looking at the pictures in Antony Beevors book, I spotted one of a kid in the Hitler Youth, who looks EXACTLY like a young German actor who played a kid in the Hitler Youth in the movie: "Decision Before Dawn" with Richard Basehart, Werner Graf (?) and Hans-Christian Bleith. The kid LOOKS in the movie looks a bit older than the period photo of the kid in the Hitler Youth--but he does look EXACTLY like him. Eerie isnt it?

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Thanks guys for the site and thoughts so far. Carl, do you remember the name of the book. It appears that the Battle is not that well covered in book form.
Was looking on the net and found....

www.crete-1941.org.uk

and http://homepages.force9.net/rothwell/crete.htm this covers the British forces on the island.

E

Gulp--I wish I did, but, when I get off work tonight--ill try to go by B&N to look for it. Im at a new job and for the most part--I THINK my hrs will be noon to 8pm or 2 pm to 10pm--not zactly sure yet. Ill let you know though as soon as I can go check and see.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Well those swing shift hours really suck Carl ! Let me know what you find out. My Barnes and Nobles folks are pretty behind the times and just look at me with a blank stare when I order something not off the shelves.

Back to the thread at hand.......here is something nice on the German order of battle for Crete. goes nicely with the British OOB that I posted link to yesterday.

Greg Way's Fallshirm seite.

http://www.eagle19.freeserve.co.uk/crete.htm

more to come, and now to try and catch Jack Mahrol who fought in Sicily, and France during 43-44 for an article that I have promised for over a year now. He is still in Germany and Switzerland with his lovely wife. Jack learned English at a young age and was a Fallshirmajäger, fighting in rear guard actions all over Sicily, finally setting charges with others at the bay of Messina, he took the last ship or two out over the bay as it was shelled and bombed to Italy and then up to southern France to Normandy where he was wounded in action and then captured. Because of his excellent English he was used as an English/German translator during the rest of the conflict going on to work for Allied intellignece after the war.

E

Hi Carl & Erich: I have a list of books for you on the "Battle of Crete": #1 "Ten Days to Destiny: The Battle for Crete, 1941", by G.C. Kiriakopoulos, PB June 97, #2 "Crete: The Battle and the Resistance (History and Warfare)", by Antony Beevor, PB March 94, #3 "Crete1941, the battle at sea", by David Author Thomas, out of print, #4 "Operation Mercury: the battle for Crete, 1941", by Tony Simpson, out of print, #5 "The Lost Battle: Crete 1941", by Callum MacDonald, HB November 93, #6 "Battle for Crete", by John Hall Spencer, out of print, #7 "Battle of Crete", by George Forty, HB April 02, #8 "Expendable: the story of the battle for Crete from the point of view of a common soldier", by Peter Winter, out of print, #9 "The battle for Crete (Sea battles in Close-up,5" by S.W.C. Pack, textbook binding, March 73, out of print.
This should keep you busy for awhile anyways. let me know if you cant find them, I have a friend who deals in out of print books and might be able to find them.

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The soldier above all others prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. General Douglas Macarthur

Way Kühl Steve !

thanks for checking and taking the time to respond with many a title. And like you said will keep all of us busy to say the least......

out of print titles eh ? Anything on the context/ops of the Junkers Ju 290 ?

I'll post on the Atlanctic forum in a minute......

danke Schön !

E

Thank you for the list of books Steve, and Erich--I didnt get the time to go there yesterday but will tonight at 8pm. I dont have to pick up the Sarge today. Yep--swing shifts bite the big one

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

I picked up quite some books about the war in Crete, when I was there two years ago. One that jumps top mind is THE FLOWERS OF RHETMYNON. This was written by an Australian veteran who was there. I also picked up ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT, about the British SOE succes of kidnapping a German General of the garrisson there and taking him to Cairo. (AMAZING!). Written by one of the British operatives. Am at work, can't look up the name of the general or his division. They came from the eastern front, I believe, and stayed in Crete for about 3 years! (again, I believe)

For all future Crete goers; visit the ruins of the town of Gortys, in the south. It is near the town of AGIO DEKA and certainly worth your while when interested in antiquaties. And of course the German and Allied cemeteries.

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"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

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www.basher82.nl

Sounds like book review material, hint, hint...

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Otto, I think your reading Erichs mind---kinda.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Well actually I did want a list of titles but not necessarily book reviews but that is ok too. Just wanted to recognize the Battle for both sides of the conflict since it is this month. As per reviews yes they would need to be on the books/publications forum but I thought this might be ok for people to give their own opinion on what would be the best book(s) or what books were available as Steve and Stevin both accomplished......

In fact I do believe sticking with the Med theme, that the fional Battle(s) of Cassino have an anniversary this month as well ? ! Stevin, did you visit the area here as well ?

thanks gents.....

E

No, I haven't been to Cassino (yet). Think I passed it by train when I went to Pompeii. Some Italian guy in the train talked about it. This was over 10 years ago. I do have some info lying around somewhere, I believe, on the Polish involvement in the battle. From my Polish Forces research buddies. Cassino is DEFINATELY on my To Visit list. Might have to wait a while though. Definately worth anybody's attention. By what I have read and the pictures I have seen....wow!

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"Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!" - Homer Simpson

(banner by Otto)
www.basher82.nl

Stevin :

thanks for the private message, you have been quite busy sir ! I'll answer that one by the weekend if my fingers don't blow out of their little sockets.......uk
Say, if you ever get a chance to visit Cassino please let me know. I've got a few books on the battle(s) but wouldn't mind some more info of course. The Polish viewpoints sound very interesting, is it possible to send some materials my way when you find them.
Have to give the Fallshirmtruppen credit for their stout defence on that lonely hill and blasted town below just as the brave Greeks, British and New Zealanders did on Crete......Bravo men !

E

Thousands of Fallshirmjägern dropped down on a small island today to capture strategic airfields and inland installations..........thousands would die !

A brave salute to those who fell both Allied and German. An air drop so large and so costly that we would never see the likes of the Fallshirm truppen take on such a task ever again.

E Glück ab !