World at War 47 - Crete 1941

Crete 1941 is an operational level wargame of the German airborne assault on the island of Crete in May 1941. This is a solitaire game; the player controls German forces (including the Italian forces) and the game system controls the opposing Allied (British Commonwealth and Greek forces) reaction. The objective of the game is for the Germans to capture Crete at the lowest possible cost in terms of casualties. You have the option to maneuver German units as you desire within the rules’ allowances. But, when a rule calls for the Allies to do something, you the player must execute that action.

There are two general types of turns in the game: Preparation and Operational. Preparation turns gives the players additional Operations Points (markers) that can be used to enhance actions, as well as refitting reduced units. In Operational turns, the player executes movement and combat with German forces. The map shows Crete and the surrounding seas, with displays representing the German staging areas in mainland Greece and each unit represents anything from a battalion to a brigade.

Components: One 22" x 34" map & 176 counters

articles :

Battle of Crete 1941: Airborne operations came into their own during World War II. The Germans first used airborne forces in Western Europe, striking against Allied forces in France, the Low Countries, and Norway. As the war progressed, Germany orchestrated an airborne assault on the island of Crete, an action that would leave Hitler hesitant to use this strategy later in the war.

Other Articles:

• The Defense of Bataan: With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan launched a corresponding invasion of the Philippines on 8 December 1941. Poorly organized and supplied, the American/Filipino forces waged a determined resistance against the Japanese invaders.
• Zhukov's Greatest Defeat? On 25 November 1942, the Soviet Union unleashed a massive barrage against German defenses in Operation Mars. The Soviets launched seven Tank Corps and 37 rifle divisions against the German Ninth Army. In the end, little ground was gained despite the heavy Soviet casualties suffered in the operation.
• Hitler's Greatest Mistake: In the summer of 1940, Germany was poised to control all of Europe. The last bastion of the Allies in Europe was Great Britian. Convinced he could knock Britain out of the war, Hitler commenced the Battle of Britian and prepared Operation Sea Lion. Great Britian survived, and helped lead the eventual downfall of Nazi Germany.