- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Phoenix; Mass Mkt Paperback edition (11 Dec 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0304364002
- ISBN-13: 978-0304364008
- Product Dimensions: 1.3 x 12.7 x 19.7 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 625,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Book Description
An epic of naval endurance - the Royal Navy's evacuation of British invasion forces from Crete to Egypt, under constant enemy attack, only partly achieved, and with great losses.
Product Description
This is a chronicle of naval defeat, covering a six-week period between April and June 1941 in the waters around Greece and Crete. The Royal Navy was subject to constant aerial bombardment, with little or no air support from the RAF. Even though there was no opposing sea fleet, this was a running battle that could hardly be won. There was no protection from Luftwaffe attacks, the Germans having air bases all around: there was nowhere for the British ships to hide. Three cruisers, eight destroyers and 2,000 men were lost, many other major ships badly damaged. It was Admiral Cunningham's calculated risk that the evacuation of the troops must continue; as a result, the British maintained their vital presence in the Eastern Mediterranean. This account makes for tragic reading, but throws light on the development of naval strategy in the entire Mediterranean theatre.
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First Sentence
BY THE SPRING of 1941 British fortunes in World War II were reaching their nadir. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
BY THE SPRING of 1941 British fortunes in World War II were reaching their nadir. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I remember reading a book on the subject of this book a long time ago so decided to buy this book and read the details again. Good book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Excellent Book
16 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback
This is an enoyable, well-written and very even-handed treatment of a fascinating, discrete subject. One marvels at the heroism, tradition and bravery of the RN, and the author gives due credit to the aggressive tactics of the Luftwaffe. As for the Italian Navy,well, the author is fair, and says good things about the few things he can. I actually had no idea the Italian navy could have so easily swept the British from the Eastern Mediterranean, if they had the will, and the tradition. It always amazes me when I read books like this, meaning well-written ones, how brave people at war can be. Also a very fair view taken of Cunningham, not just hagiography. Finally, after getting their behinds kicked by the Luftwaffe due to no air cover for its ships, how could the Brits possibly have sent out the Repulse and Prince of Wales (w/o air cover) in December of the same year?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
CASSELL MILITARY PAPERBACKS
21 Feb 2005
Format:Paperback
This is only one of the numerous CASSELL paperback reprints in my collection, and I really believe that for the money, versus the history given, these are some of the best books available.
This one concerns the battle for Crete, 1941, but as the cover clearly states, this has to do with the battle at sea. The land battle for Crete went to the Germans, and likewise the battle at sea. The RAF provided little to no protection, resulting in 'target practice' for the Luftwaffe. The Royal Navy wasn't too 'royal' losing 3 cruisers, 8 destroyers, 2 battleships and 1 aircraft carrier. While other cruisers and battleships suffered various degrees of damage. Oh yeah, close to 2,000 officers and men of the Royal Navy were killed in action.
All of this ties in with the several months of action for the Royal Navy in conjunction with the Yugoslavian, Grecian, and Crete campaigns. All of which would have been better for the British and the Royal Navy had they stayed home and skipped the debacle.
This book was originally published in 1972, and CASSELL is to be commended for reissuing it. Makes a good companion the other studies on the land battles for Crete. Very informative read.
Semper Fi.
This one concerns the battle for Crete, 1941, but as the cover clearly states, this has to do with the battle at sea. The land battle for Crete went to the Germans, and likewise the battle at sea. The RAF provided little to no protection, resulting in 'target practice' for the Luftwaffe. The Royal Navy wasn't too 'royal' losing 3 cruisers, 8 destroyers, 2 battleships and 1 aircraft carrier. While other cruisers and battleships suffered various degrees of damage. Oh yeah, close to 2,000 officers and men of the Royal Navy were killed in action.
All of this ties in with the several months of action for the Royal Navy in conjunction with the Yugoslavian, Grecian, and Crete campaigns. All of which would have been better for the British and the Royal Navy had they stayed home and skipped the debacle.
This book was originally published in 1972, and CASSELL is to be commended for reissuing it. Makes a good companion the other studies on the land battles for Crete. Very informative read.
Semper Fi.
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