Air Assault: Crete - The Matrix Games version of West Front

Maleme, Crete: [Best played as Axis] While the Royal Navy controlled the Mediterranean, the only way Hitler's plans for operations in the Middle East could be supported was by gaining an airbase from which the sea-lanes could be dominated. With its existing airfields and proximity to Italian and Greek ports, the island of Crete was selected as the next to feel the might of the Wehrmacht. The threat of the Royal Navy made a seaborne invasion risky at best, but the Germans had a proven weapon in its parachute troops. Early on 20 May, following what had become a daily air bombardment, the 5th NZ Brigade defending the Maleme area was surprised to see transport aircraft mixed with the bombers. As parachutes from the 7th Air Assault Regiment dotted the sky and troops poured from grounded gliders, the Commonwealth defenders began to react. The German skytroopers found themselves facing a slaughter unless they could capture the airfield and clear Hill 107 so that reinforcements could be landed without delay.