Operation Mercury: the German Invasion of Crete
Map of German operations and plans in Crete
Towards the end of the Battle of Greece, many Greek and British soldiers had evacuated to Crete, making Crete an important British base that Hitler wanted eliminated.
A German Newsreel about Crete, used for propaganda.
Battle of Crete
German planes land in Northern Greece on May 19 to prepare for the attack
The battle began on May 20, 1941. Operation Mercury, involving 25,000 soldiers, was primarily an air attack.
Weapons were in short supply for the Cretans. Regardless, the defenders were able to able to hold off German advances for 10 days.
Weapons were in short supply for the Cretans. Regardless, the defenders were able to able to hold off German advances for 10 days.
Losses and Effects
A dead German paratrooper
Germany won at such a high cost that they never attempted another massive air paratrooper landing after Crete.