%CG Crete Heraklion Historical - North Africa 1941

Heraklion, Central Crete, Greece: May 20th, 1941. (Scenario Size: Regiment+ Head to Head or Human vs AI for either side) Oberst Bruno Brauer was tasked with capturing Crete's largest city, Heraklion. Like Sturm's assault at Retimo, Brauer's 1st Fallschirmjaeger Regiment had the dual task of capturing the city for its deep-water port and the airfield a few kilometres to the east. Like Retimo, Brauer's troops were part of the second drop of the day. Insufficient transports, heavy casualties amongst the Ju-52's in the first wave and dust rendering visibility to nil all delayed the planned afternoon assault. At both Retimo and Heraklion arrivals were piecemeal - delayed by over three hours. With four battalions' the assault on Heraklion had twice the forces as landed at Retimo, but unfortunately faced an over strength Allied brigade. The Fallschirmjaeger were initially successful breaking into the walled city but the landings around the airfield were decisively counter attacked and the German losses extreme. Ultimately, the delayed arrival and heavy casualties thwarted the best efforts of Brauer's troops.