“France fell in eight days. Why is Crete still resisting?” Hitler cabled the officer commanding the first airborne invasion of an island-fortress in military history. For ten dramatic and bitterly fought days, the British Commonwealth and Greek soldiers fought with the valiant assistance of Cretan civilians - men and women, young and old - to hold their island against the Nazi onslaught. This is the documented story of one of the most important yet least acknowledge battles of World War II.

Part one. The advent. “No, it is war!” -- War comes to the land of Minos -- Mercury is born – “Determine the next German objective” – “Any day after the seventeenth” -- Scorcher on Colorado – “Just a circle on the map” -- The hunters from the sky -- It is only a rumor -- Part 2. The attack. Mercury is airborne – “They are coming!” – “It was like a terrible dream” -- It was magnificent, but it is not war” – “That the German shall not pass!” – “With axes, with shovels, and with their bare hands” – “Hence they have to preserve my head” – “Be back by 4:30 p.m.” – “If you must, then you must” -- Part 3. The aftermath. “Press on regardless” – “It has been a great responsibility” – “The whole world is watching your splendid battle” – “Malta would control the Mediterranean” – “Stand for New Zealand!” – “Why is Crete still resisting?” – “300 years to build a new tradition” – “Crete has become the graveyard of the German paratrooper”