Book "The Lost Battle - Crete 1941" by Callum MacDonald


The book "The Lost Battle:  Crete 1941" by Callum MacDonald was published in 1994 by Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group.

I have included a Synopsis of the book along with a list of the 6 Greek names mentioned in the book.

If you are interested in accessing this book, it is available through the U.S. Inter-library loan program, you can work with your local library to obtain a copy.

6 NAMES MENTIONED IN THIS BOOK
Aghiomyrianakis (Priest)
Drosoulake, Georgios
Drosoulake, Ariste
Gregorakes, Antonios
Psychoundakis, George
Tsouderos, Emmanuel

Synopsis  
The battle for the Mediterranean island of Crete (May 20-June 1, 1941) was unique in three respects: it was the first airborne invasion in history; it was the first time the Allies took major operational advantage after breaking the German "Enigma" code; and it was the first time that invading German troops encountered mass resistance from a civilian population. MacDonald describes how General Kurt Student developed Germany's airborne doctrine during the '30s, tested it in 1940 against the Belgian fortress of Eban-Emael, then led his paratroops into Crete. The Allied defenders (Britain, Australia, New Zealand) put up a good fight but were eventually forced to withdraw to a tiny beachhead from which most of the survivors were evacuated by sea. MacDonald ( Korea: The War Before Vietnam ) staunchly defends British commander Bernard Freyberg, whom he believes performed as ably as any general could under "impossible" circumstances. Ironically, the breaking of Enigma's secret severely restricted Freyberg's tactical options lest the enemy discover that the Allies were "reading his mail." Packed with ripsnorting action, MacDonald's battle narrative is a major account of a minor but interesting WW II campaign. Photos.


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