Poor General Student. Things aren’t going so well in Crete. On the second day, another drop attempt was made along with the Assault Regiment advancing from the West to East to capture Maleme and Pythgos. Both towns succeeded in resisting a punishing air attack and a two pronged assault with added pressure from a reinforced company from the South. If the logistics problems hadn’t occurred,the paratroopers probably would have done better. But when a critical shortage of ammunition happened 2+ hours into the battle, General Student called a halt to the attack.

It was a great day for theKiwis, who had their backs against the wall. All performed admirably, especially the 28th Maori, who assaulted the paratroopers in the East with great success. Freiburg was quite pleased, and gave the unit special mention in dispatches home. The New Zealanders also suffered ammunition shortages, but shot with reasonable accuracy. The Germans didn’t suffer so many losses, only three steps, but suffered many unit and leader demoralizations. This was especially true in the drop zone. Units simply could not get cohesion and organization and launch an attack on Pythgos. However, the air attack killed many troops around Pythgos. NZ losses were six steps here.

NZ forces were able to filter into Maleme and hold onto to that town as well. Thus, no part of the attack was a success for Germans.