TODAY IN HISTORY

See more

1905, 'Originals' kick off All Black tradition

German paratroops assault Crete

20 May 1941

New Zealand, British, Australian and Greek forces defending the Mediterranean island of Crete fought desperately to repel a huge airborne assault by German paratroopers.

The Battle for Crete raged for 12 days before the Allies were driven off the island. Casualties were high on both sides. More than 650 New Zealanders were killed and 2000 taken prisoner. Read more...

Image: German paratroops over Crete

Read more on NZHistory

The battle: days 1-3 – The Battle for Crete Peter Fraser Howard Kippenberger

External links

Official history of the Battle for Crete (NZETC)

Previous calendar date: May 19

Next calendar date: May 21

How to cite this page

'German paratroops assault Crete', URL: /page/german-paratroopers-assault-crete, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 14-Jun-2016

RELATED TO GERMAN PARATROOPS ASSAULT CRETE

Events

24 May 1943

Turning point in Battle of the Atlantic
15 October 1942

NZ coastwatchers executed by the Japanese
17 August 1942

Attack on the Nino Bixio
7 June 1940

Fighter ace Edgar ‘Cobber’ Kain killed
24 April 1941

Sinking of the Hellas
2 October 1941

NZ pilot saves Scottish village
19 December 1941

HMS Neptune lost in Mediterranean minefield
13 December 1939

Battle of the River Plate
19 August 1944

Kiwi pilot's sacrifice saves French village
27 November 1940

Liner sunk by German raiders off East Cape
11 November 1942

Troopship Awatea goes down fighting
14 May 1941

NZ minesweeper sunk off Bream Head
15 March 1944

NZ forces capture Castle Hill at Cassino
26 April 1943

NZ ship torpedoed in Tasman
23 February 1940

100,000 welcome home HMS Achilles crew
9 May 1945

NZ celebrates Victory in Europe
12 June 1942

First US troops arrive in Auckland
2 November 1942

NZ Division helps Allies break through at El Alamein
22 November 1939

Freyberg takes command of NZ Expeditionary Force
8 December 1941

New Zealand declares war on Japan
19 June 1940

Niagara sunk by German mines off Northland
15 August 1945

The war is over! VJ Day
16 August 1944

CORSO formed
20 August 1940

Turakina sunk by German raider in Tasman
3 September 1939

New Zealand declares war on Germany
5 September 1939

PM declares NZ's support for Britain
27 October 1943

NZ troops make first opposed landing since Gallipoli
25 February 1943

49 killed in Featherston POW incident
17 December 1944

Major Major, mascot of 19 Battalion, dies of sickness
7 March 1941

NZ troops arrive in Greece
19 March 1946

Main body of Jayforce lands in Japan
3 April 1943

'Battle of Manners Street'
29 March 1942

Nazi sabotage hoax
11 May 1945

Upham presented with VC
16 January 1941

Women's Auxiliary Air Force founded
21 January 1944

NZ and Australia sign the Canberra Pact