The attack and defence of Crete presen problems: in some ways is similar to the German attack on Norway, but there are imp iffcre attack on Nor very cart prepared. and formed ar astute ce! bination of aerial, and land forces. It had the ad side" help, peace with German were able to send soldiers c the holds of just the clift was neutral and so the ground could be carefully prep:
Norway was well situated for German warships to cover the attack. but even so the German Navy suffered heavily, and but for luck and bad weather the losses would have been much heavier. Our chief difficulty in Norway was that we lacked, fighter aircraft support for our forces, for the air-bases in the south were promptly seized by the enemy, who was situated much nearer to them.
But Crete is at war. not peace. and it lacks good harbours for naval landings. The island rises steeply from deep sea. and even Suda Bay ig handicaped a9 an anchorage by deep water. The R.A.F. had a number of planes on its own airfields, and the small army on footing expecting attack.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.