Special Forces in Action: Afghanistan - Africa - Balkans - Iraq - South America (Battleground Europe)

The invasion was launched to round off Hitler's Balkan Campaign against Crete in May 1941. The Island was important to Britain's control of the Eastern Mediterranean and Churchill was determined that the Island would be held. The British garrison was largely made up of New Zealand and Australian troops who had been evacuated from Greece, with little more that what they stood up in. On the other hand the German Commander, Kurt Student, had overwhelming air superiority, which negated the Allied naval superiority. But the Germans had almost fatally underestimated the number of Allied troops. While British, New Zealand and Australian soldiers, however, showed what they were capable of, the battle for Crete was eventually won through sheer nerve, the confidence of the German soldier in his superiority and the power of the Luftwaffe. That said, the cost in killed and wounded was such that Hitler would never again contemplate another large airborne operation. The invasion was launched to round off Hitlers Balkan Campaign against Crete in May 1941. The Island was important to Britains control of the Eastern Mediterranean and Churchill was determined that the Island would be held. The British garrison was largely made up of New Zealand and Australian troops who had been evacuated from Greece, with little more that what they stood up in. On the other hand the German Commander, Kurt Student, had overwhelming air superiority, which negated the Allied naval superiority. But the Germans had almost fatally underestimated the number of Allied troops.While British, New Zealand and Australian soldiers, however, showed what they were capable of, the battle for Crete was eventually won through sheer nerve, the confidence of the German soldier in his superiority and the power of the Luftwaffe. That said, the cost in killed and wounded was such that Hitler would never again contemplate another large airborne operation. [Elib] The invasion was launched to round off Hitler s Balkan Campaign against Crete in May 1941. The Island was important to Britain s control of the Eastern Mediterranean and Churchill was determined that the Island would be held. The British garrison was largely made up of New Zealand and Australian troops who had been evacuated from Greece, with little more that what they stood up in. On the other hand the German Commander, Kurt Student, had overwhelming air superiority, which negated the Allied naval superiority. But the Germans had almost fatally underestimated the number of Allied troops.While British, New Zealand and Australian soldiers, however, showed what they were capable of, the battle for Crete was eventually won through sheer nerve, the confidence of the German soldier in his superiority and the power of the Luftwaffe. That said, the cost in killed and wounded was such that Hitler would never again contemplate another large airborne operation." Since the end of the Cold War there have been numerous conflicts and in all of these Special Forces have played a key role. This book examines their activities and operations in numerous theatres from Afghanistan and, Iraq today to the Balkans and Gulf War. Lesser known small wars such as Sierra Leone (and the spectacular rescue of British soldiers by the SAS) and Somalia are also well covered. We learn of long running drug busting operations in Columbia and of current operations pursuing war criminals in the Balkans. In addition there is an introductory chapter tracing the development of SF from their inception in the Second World War with brief descriptions of early operations. Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Introduction and Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Crete and the Mediteranean Chapter 2: Fallschirmjäger and the Invasion Plans Chapter 3: The Fly-In Chapter 4: The Maleme Drop Chapter 5: The Prison Valley Drop Chapter 6: The Defence of Rethymno Chapter 7: The Defence of Iraklio Chapter 8: Reinforcements and Counter -Attack Chapter 9: The Battle of Galatas Chapter 10: Souda Bay and 42nd Street Chapter 11: Withdrawal and Evacuation Chapter 12: The Abduction of General Kreipe Chapter 13: The Airborne Invasion Tours Appendix I: Victoria Cross Citations Appendix II: The Cemeteries Appendix III: Orders of Battle Index Since The End Of The Cold War, There Have Been Numerous Conflicts And Special Forces Have Played A Key Role In Several Of These Wars. This Book Examines Their Activities And Operations In Numerous Theatres From Afghanistan And, Iraq To The Balkans And Gulf War. It Has A Chapter Tracing The Development Of Sf From Their Inception In The Ww2. The First Gulf War -- Somalia -- The Balkans -- Drug Hunting In South America -- Sierra Leone -- Afghanistan -- Iraq -- Counter-terrorism. Alexander Stilwell. Includes Index. Details the Crete campaign of World War II, covering the opposing leaders, plans, execution and evacuation. This guide book also includes six different airborne invasion tours in which visitors can view the sites of battle via car, bus service, or by foot. A graphic, illustrated account and guide to the costly battle of Crete, the first airborne invasion.