Scenario and AAR Crete 1 Maleme Airfield Dawn 20 May 1941

New Zealand troops dug in around Eastern end of airfield one platoon from 22 battalion. Air drop canister is one of the paratroops objectives 

Two Section facing the Taveronitis River. After the initial air raid which left 2 units pinned. The drop canisters arrive.

Platoon HQ dug in around a dispersal stand. Hurricane is a terrain piece. Representing the damaged planes abandoned when the RAF evacuated the airfield. 

Base HQ and main gate.  Held in force by dug in regular Infantry and from here the Vickers HMG could graze the entire airfield from it's dug out. The white smoke indicated it is on Ambush fire awaiting a target. 

The NZ infantry did not wait long . Three gliders loaded with elite members of Fallschirmjager of the Sturmbattalion. Landing heavily across the field. They spill out infantry into fierce rifle and MG fire. The Germans make for the canisters and the 40mm bofors AA gun dugout

One glider land right in front of the Vickers MG at point blank range. This would prove deadly for it's occupants.

Another group of paratroops would fail there close assault role to attack the dug in machinegun with catastrophic consequences when the machine gun caught them in the open on the airfield.

The RAF personnel represented as auxiliary Infantry race to defend base building. They would by roughly handled by the elite German Fallschirmjagers and their MG34. After a series a  brutally deadly short range fire fights. The dangers would destroy the AA gun position. But a lack of air support for their assault would leave the NZ defenders to claim a victory. By the narrowest of margins. Germans 21 BR British 19BR one off the BR total. 

Forces 

from Creforce

Points 301 20BR Officers: 2, Scouts: 0 

Infantry Units -Infantry Platoon Regular 

Platoon Command Squad Rifle Section 

Light Mortar Team 

3 Rifle Sections

Infantry Platoon Auxiliary Platoon 

Command Squad 

Light Mortar Team

3 Rifle Sections

Combat Medic

 

Defences -  

Mortar Pit with 3" mortar 

3 Foxholes 

Machine gun dug out with Vickers MG

Barbed Wire 

Bofors 40mm AA Gun Dug-out 

Minefield