I waited for the Luftwaffe to appear before the game was stopped in the 14th turn of 20 turns. The advent of the German Air Force in. the 12th turn is crucial because the paratroopers will have an extremely tough time defeating half of a Maori battalion (12 platoons infantry). The Maoris were up for the fight here. For one thing, they drew very powerful leaders using the ILS, Including the wicked 11-2-2 lieutenant (I named him 1st Lieutenant Willy Woggly). He was put at the front of the Maori spearhead to circle wide behind the Germans, ultimately outflanking them and trapping them in Pythgos, a victory objective and largest town on board 99. The strategy would prove to be excellent. Woggly was given two infantry platoons and a HMG. With this contingent of troops, he personally had 22 DF points under his leadership. He would not be touched by the host of German DF or BF attacks on him (no Assaults; the enemy wouldn’t dare). He eventually got his hands on the senior German commander and decapitated him. At that point, German continuation of the scenario was futile.

Unfortunately for the Germans, the planes that appeared put in a very weak showing. There were no results in air attacks over three turns. At that point the Commonwealth had the Germans beat. The Maoris were largely responsible. They couldn’t be destroyed in the least. They lost two steps. Their close in fighting completely eviscerated the Assault Regiment in Pythgos. Another Assault outside of Pythgos was an extremely hard fought affair, with the Germans finally being destroyed by the Maoris (who lost their leader) after 10 turns! That battle cost the paratroopers six steps and ultimately three leaders.The NZ force played more of a blocking role in the front and flanks of the Germans on board 99. Board 98 was more of an equal fight. Here, a lucky bombardment almost killed the senior commander of the 21st NZ Infantry contingent.

The final tally was at least 23-5 in favor of the Commonwealth with Pythgos completely captured.When the Assault Regiment lost its Lieutenant Colonel, game was stopped, even though major objectives remained to be captured. Technically the Germans had more points at this time, but all the Commonwealth had to do was to walk into board 97 with the airfield and the adjoining town of Vlaheritossa. Only Hill 107 may have been left in German hands. Thus the potential final score would have been 43-11 in favor of the Commonwealth; an overwhelming victory. If these recreated events would have really happened, it’s my opinion that Crete would have remained in Allied hands. I think Mike Perryman or Dr. B named the scenario well: A Sad Tale. This connotes the fact the battle was crucial for the Allies to win. It has been said that Creforce commander Freyburg let the beaten German force slip away during the night of May 20/21 and lost the battle of Crete. This scenario points to the same conclusion: The Commonwealth was so close....