Panzer Grenadier Battles on November 21st:
Desert Rats #16 - The Panzers Pull Back Desert Rats #19 - The Panzers Return
Desert Rats #17 - The Tomb Of Sidi Rezegh Jungle Fighting #7 - Line Of Departure
Desert Rats #18 - A Pibroch's Skirl South Africa's War #5 - Irish Eyes
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Maori Bayonets
Parachutes Over Crete #37
(Attacker) Germany vs Australia (Defender)
Maori (Defender)
New Zealand (Defender)
Formations Involved
Display
Balance:



Overall balance chart for PoCr037
Total
Side 1 1
Draw 0
Side 2 1
Overall Rating, 2 votes
5
4
3
2
1
4
Scenario Rank: --- of 940
Parent Game Parachutes Over Crete
Historicity Historical
Date 1941-05-27
Start Time 11:00
Turn Count 18
Visibility Day
Counters 92
Net Morale 0
Net Initiative 0
Maps 2: 96, 98
Layout Dimensions 56 x 43 cm
22 x 17 in
Play Bounty 171
AAR Bounty 227
Total Plays 2
Total AARs 0
Battle Types
Exit the Battle Area
Inflict Enemy Casualties
Urban Assault
Conditions
Randomly-drawn Aircraft
Terrain Mods
Scenario Requirements & Playability
Parachutes Over Crete Base Game
Introduction

On the 27th, Creforce commander Maj. Gen. Bernard Freyberg informed Middle East Command that Crete could not be held. Worn and tired New Zealand and Australian battalions took up a new defensive line south of Suda Bay, along a dirt road the dubbed “42nd Street.” Lt. Col. George Dittmer of the 28th “Maori” Battalion told his fellow commanders that he intended to allow the Germans to approach his positions, fire a short-range volley and then charge with the bayonet.

Conclusion

The 141st Mountain Regiment, part of the 6th Mountain Division, had only just landed on Crete and entered action when it met the crazed ANZACs. Just which battalion first went berserk and charged the Germans is disputed - all three battalion commanders made the claim in their after-action report. The Maoris paused first to perform a brief haka before attacking and so were probably not the first to charge. What is clear is that the three battalions assaulted the advancing jägers within minutes of one another, inflicting about 400 casualties. The “Bayonet Charge at 42nd Street” became part of the military lore of both nations.

Additional Notes

Gebirgsjäger leaders in Parachutes Over Crete use conventional named ranks. The library was setup using German rank references.

The production print of map 98 is missing 3 town hexes, Avalanche press has created a Map 98 overlay to correct this oversight. Philippe Leonard has also created a very nice overlay for map 98 on Board Game Geek.


Display Order of Battle

Australia Order of Battle
Army
Germany Order of Battle
Heer
New Zealand Order of Battle
28th "Maori" Infantry Battalion
  • Foot
New Zealand Army

Display Errata (1)

1 Errata Item
Overall balance chart for 353

INF unit 1112 has full firepower printed on the front and back of the counter. Back should be 4-2.

(garbare83686 on 2022 Feb 08)
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