When German paratroops dropped on Crete in 1941, it was the first and only time in the history of warfare that an island was conquered from the air. But the battle of Crete was a far greater triumph for the Nazis than most Americans know: three British cruisers and eight destroyers were sunk. The aircraft carrier Formidable was so badly damaged it was taken out of service. So were five cruisers and seven destroyers. Fully half the battleship strength of the Mediterranean Fleet was crippled. And two thousand sailors of the Royal Navy were killed. But this Luftwaffe victory could not be exploited by the Germans, who were committed to the Russian front. In fact, the Battle of Crete forced the German divisions to delay their advance into Russia until winter, when snows engulfed them. Crete, a bitter defeat for the Allies, contributed ironically to their final victory. From the book jacket.

First published in 1972 in London under title: Crete 1941, the battle at sea.

Mediterranean background -- Cunningham in command -- Balkan entanglements -- Defeat in Greece -- Retreat to Suda Bay -- Triumph and tragedy -- The Kalamata episode -- Assault on the island -- The Italian fleet shirks battle -- Battle for Crete: the invasion -- The Luftwaffe strikes -- The flight to Alexandria -- The battering of Force B -- The battle ends.