The Battle of Crete began with the first and last division sized German airdrop of glider and parachute infantry into battle during World War II. The airdrop would be hotly contested by Allied forces on the island, and if not for a massive airlift relief operation might have ended quickly and badly for the German forces. After a hard and costly fight the German forces succeeded in taking the island, but this pyrrhic victory would have far reaching strategic aftereffects for the Germans and Allies alike.
The Battle of Crete began with the first and last division sized German airdrop of glider and parachute infantry into battle during World War II. The airdrop would be hotly contested by Allied forces on the island, and if not for a massive airlift relief operation might have ended quickly and badly for the German forces. After a hard and costly fight the German forces succeeded in taking the island, but this pyrrhic victory would have far reaching strategic aftereffects for the Germans and Allies alike.
