Battle for Crete-克里特之战

作者：John Hall Spencer

书名：Battle for Crete《克里特之战》

中文背景：克里特岛战役是第二次世界大战中希腊战役的一部分，爆发于希腊克里特岛的战事。战斗开始于1941年5月20日早上，纳粹德国发动代号“水星行动”的军事行动，空降入侵克里特岛。防守该岛的为希腊抵抗军及盟军。

经过首天的战斗以英军为首的盟军承受了极高的伤亡，却无法有效阻断德军的进攻。第2天由于盟军方面的通讯出现问题，导致盟军指挥官无法及时掌握战况，致使岛上西面的马莱迈机场落入德军手中，令德军得以大量空运增援部队，在数量上压倒盟军并最终完全控制克里特岛。

英文简介：After two years' extensive research the author has written a thorough account of the political and military background to the German invasion of Crete and the bitter fighting that followed the first airborne assault on an island in history. The book tells of confused negotiations between the British and Greek governments; the misunderstandings between Winston Churchill's War Cabinet and commanders in the field; the near capture of the King of Greece; the lack of preparation by the defenders and the suppression of a critical post-battle report by General Wavell.

There are vivid individual accounts of the fighting both during the invasion and the subsequent campaign and ultimate retreat and evacuation. The Royal Navy and R.A.F.'s contribution is well documented as are the roles of the German air force.

Crete was a 'close run' campaign fought with aggression by both sides.