Battle of Crete
The Battle of Crete
Crete, the largest of the islands in the southern Mediterranean, was the site of one of the most unique battles in World War 2. Using airborne troops Hitler invaded Crete on the 20th of May 1941. The three main causes of the battle was Mussolini’s invasion of Greece, Crete’s strategic importance and the Paratroopers wanting to prove themselves. The consequences can be seen from all three of the main fighting sides; the Germans, the Allies and the Cretans. Each with different effects taken away from the battle.
Mussolini’s Invasion of Greece:
Originally, Hitler had no plans to be involved with Greece at all. At the time, Greece was controlled by dictator Ioannis Metaxas and Hitler believed Greece would give him no trouble as both were run under anti-monarchical dictators. Hitler had no belief that Greece would go against him and as long as they weren’t opposing him then he felt no need to invade. He believed the Greeks would sympathize with the Nazis without the need for a formal declaration of alliance. However, this all changed when Benito Mussolini, Italy’s fascist dictator, invaded Greece on 28th October 1940, a year before The Battle of Crete. He did this because he felt threatened by Greece’s easy access to Italy, meaning that if the British controlled Greece they could attack Italy without too many obstacles. Mussolini also wanted to expand Italian territories in an effort to restore his his dream to forge a new Roman Empire in Africa and the Balkans. Historically, Greece was economically and strategically tied to Britain and the Greek Royal Family had strong connections to the British. Mussolini believed that if he invaded Greece it would pre-empt the British using their ties and making a move into Greece that would directly threaten Italy. If the British gained control of Greece it would give them another base from which to base operations against the Italian advance into Northern Africa and also threaten the Rumanian oilfields.
Crete, the largest of the islands in the southern Mediterranean, was the site of one of the most unique battles in World War 2. Using airborne troops Hitler invaded Crete on the 20th of May 1941. The three main causes of the battle was Mussolini’s invasion of Greece, Crete’s strategic importance and the Paratroopers wanting to prove themselves. The consequences can be seen from all three of the main fighting sides; the Germans, the Allies and the Cretans. Each with different effects taken away from the battle.
Mussolini’s Invasion of Greece:
Originally, Hitler had no plans to be involved with Greece at all. At the time, Greece was controlled by dictator Ioannis Metaxas and Hitler believed Greece would give him no trouble as both were run under anti-monarchical dictators. Hitler had no belief that Greece would go against him and as long as they weren’t opposing him then he felt no need to invade. He believed the Greeks would sympathize with the Nazis without the need for a formal declaration of alliance. However, this all changed when Benito Mussolini, Italy’s fascist dictator, invaded Greece on 28th October 1940, a year before The Battle of Crete. He did this because he felt threatened by Greece’s easy access to Italy, meaning that if the British controlled Greece they could attack Italy without too many obstacles. Mussolini also wanted to expand Italian territories in an effort to restore his his dream to forge a new Roman Empire in Africa and the Balkans. Historically, Greece was economically and strategically tied to Britain and the Greek Royal Family had strong connections to the British. Mussolini believed that if he invaded Greece it would pre-empt the British using their ties and making a move into Greece that would directly threaten Italy. If the British gained control of Greece it would give them another base from which to base operations against the Italian advance into Northern Africa and also threaten the Rumanian oilfields.
Bibliography: By: Antill, P. (20 July 2002) Date visited 16/6/14 http://about-crete.gr/battle-of-crete.html 1941 Hong Kong: Hidder and Stoughton Limited, 1981 1991 London: John Murray (Publishers), 2005