Battle Of Crete: Hitler’s Airborne Gamble

Nonfiction, History, Germany, European General, Military, United States
Cover of the book Battle Of Crete: Hitler’s Airborne Gamble by Major Maria A. Biank, Lucknow Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Major Maria A. Biank ISBN: 9781782893219
Publisher: Lucknow Books Publication: August 15, 2014
Imprint: Lucknow Books Language: English
Author: Major Maria A. Biank
ISBN: 9781782893219
Publisher: Lucknow Books
Publication: August 15, 2014
Imprint: Lucknow Books
Language: English

As Adolf Hitler conquered most of the European continent in 1939-1941, the small island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea became vital to future operations in the Mediterranean region for both the Axis and Allied powers. If the Allies controlled Crete, their air and sea superiority would not allow the Germans a strategic military foothold in the region. For the Germans, Crete would secure the Aegean Sea for Axis shipping, loosen Great Britain’s grasp in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and provide air bases to launch offensives against British forces in Egypt. Therefore, the central research question is: Did the results of the German campaign in Crete justify its execution? The operational results of the German campaign in Crete and the strategic advantages gained from its success did not justify the execution of the battle. Although Germany’s conquest of Crete achieved all of the strategic advantages, Hitler did not accomplish the strategic objectives set forth at the beginning of the campaign. Crete was not used as a staging base from which to engage the British in offensive operations against the Suez Canal or North Africa. German losses to the highly trained air corps were staggering and Hitler never again employed parachutists on a large-scale airborne operation. Future war efforts were deprived of this elite, highly mobile striking force. Hitler did not capitalize on the hard fought victory in Crete by using the island as a stepping-stone, ultimately controlling the eastern Mediterranean region because he was hypnotized by the invasion of Russia.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

As Adolf Hitler conquered most of the European continent in 1939-1941, the small island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea became vital to future operations in the Mediterranean region for both the Axis and Allied powers. If the Allies controlled Crete, their air and sea superiority would not allow the Germans a strategic military foothold in the region. For the Germans, Crete would secure the Aegean Sea for Axis shipping, loosen Great Britain’s grasp in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and provide air bases to launch offensives against British forces in Egypt. Therefore, the central research question is: Did the results of the German campaign in Crete justify its execution? The operational results of the German campaign in Crete and the strategic advantages gained from its success did not justify the execution of the battle. Although Germany’s conquest of Crete achieved all of the strategic advantages, Hitler did not accomplish the strategic objectives set forth at the beginning of the campaign. Crete was not used as a staging base from which to engage the British in offensive operations against the Suez Canal or North Africa. German losses to the highly trained air corps were staggering and Hitler never again employed parachutists on a large-scale airborne operation. Future war efforts were deprived of this elite, highly mobile striking force. Hitler did not capitalize on the hard fought victory in Crete by using the island as a stepping-stone, ultimately controlling the eastern Mediterranean region because he was hypnotized by the invasion of Russia.

More books from Lucknow Books

Cover of the book Office Of The Strategic Services Operational Groups In France During World War II, July-October 1944 by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book Gliders of World War II: ‘The Bastards No One Wanted’ by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book Escape In Italy; The Narrative Of Lieutenant William L. Newnan by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book One Man’s War — The Diary Of A Leatherneck by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book Concepts Of Information Warfare In Practice: by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book Trooper Bluegum At The Dardanelles; Descriptive Narratives Of The More Desperate Engagements On The Gallipoli Peninsula by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book Beda Fomm: An Operational Analysis [Illustrated Edition] by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book The A.E.F. Of A Conscientious Subaltern [Illustrated Edition] by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book Field-Marshal Earl Haig by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book St Lô (7 July - 19 July, 1944) [Illustrated Edition] by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book TO BIZERTE WITH THE II CORPS - 23 April - 13 May 1943 [Illustrated Edition] by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book Trench Pictures From France by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book The Road To St. Mihiel [Illustrated Edition] by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book My Escape From Donington Hall, Preceded By An Account Of The Siege Of Kiao-Chow In 1915 by Major Maria A. Biank
Cover of the book The Peak of the Load; by Major Maria A. Biank
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy