H2H-Kiwi's & Edelweiss at Crete - Combat Mission: Afrika Korps

Operation MERCURY, the attack on the island of Crete is in it's crucial phase. Despite very heavy losses in the crack Fallschirmjaeger and Gebirgsjaeger units the brave Allied defenders are finally retreating and are evacuating the island. Gebirgsjaegerbattallion 27 was not included in the airlift operation, but arrived 2 days later. After debarkation the battalion was ordered to capture the harbor of Georgiopouli. Defending in the valley and blocking the entrance to the harbor is positioned 55 New Zealand Infantry battalion(-). The battalion is fresh and was not committed due to the Axis concentration on the airfields in the vicinity of MALEME, RETHEYMON and HERAKLION. But know after heavy losses in air assets, the requirements for harbors to unload reinforcements and heavy equipment is eminent.