259: Crete Pt. 4 - Naval Victory, Naval Disaster

As the first day of the German invasion of Crete drew to a close on May 20th, 1941, neither side held the clear advantage they had hoped for — the Germans had failed to secure their primary objectives, while the British commander General Freyberg struggled with poor communications and an overriding fear of a seaborne invasion that would shape his decisions in the days ahead. This episode examines the Royal Navy's critical role in the battle for Crete, exploring both the strengths and significant weaknesses of Admiral Cunningham's fleet — including the limitations of their anti-aircraft systems against the Luftwaffe — and the aggressive positioning of British naval forces north of the island to intercept German supply convoys. The episode then covers two pivotal naval engagements: the night interception of the 1st Motor Sailing Flotilla by British cruisers and destroyers, which turned back the first German reinforcement convoy with the loss of at least eight vessels and 327 men, and the pursuit of the Sagittario convoy on May 22nd, which drew British ships northward into withering Luftwaffe attack and resulted in the loss of the cruisers Gloucester and Fiji, the Warspite damaged, and over a thousand sailors killed — a day that demonstrated both the courage and the cost of the Royal Navy's commitment to holding Crete. History of the Second World War is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(368)

275: War at Sea '41 Pt. 13 - Lucky Strike

After Bismarck slips away from her British pursuers, the Royal Navy launches a desperate search before dwindling fuel supplies force the chase to end. This episode follows the intelligence breakthroug...

16 Syys 29min

Listener Questions. Pt 7

Greece, First World War Blockade Breaking, Crete, and WW2 Main Battery shell reliability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11 Syys 25min

274: War at Sea '41 Pt. 12 - On a Wing and a Prayer

With Bismarck damaged and making for France, the Royal Navy concentrated an enormous collection of ships to contain and destroy her while Admiral Lütjens worked to release Prinz Eugen and escape his p...

9 Syys 24min

273: War at Sea '41 Pt. 11 - The End of the Mighty Hood

The Battle of the Denmark Strait opened with British fire directed at the wrong German ship before Bismarck and Prinz Eugen concentrated their guns on Hood. This episode follows Hood’s catastrophic de...

2 Syys 24min

272: War at Sea '41 Pt. 10 - On the Eve of Battle

As Hood and Prince of Wales raced toward Bismarck and Prinz Eugen, worsening weather, uncertain contact reports, and the limitations of Hood’s armor shaped Admiral Holland’s plan of attack. This episo...

26 Elo 25min

271: War at Sea '41 Pt. 9 - Found and Followed

As Bismarck and Prinz Eugen entered the Denmark Strait, the cruisers Suffolk and Norfolk made contact and began the difficult task of shadowing them through fog, ice, and dangerous proximity to the Ge...

19 Elo 22min

270: War at Sea '41 Pt. 8 - The Operation Begins

As Bismarck and Prinz Eugen departed for the Atlantic, British reconnaissance exposed their presence in Norway and set the Royal Navy’s response in motion. This episode follows the German ships throug...

14 Elo 27min

269: War at Sea '41 Pt. 7 - This Seems Risky

In May 1941, the German battleship Bismarck prepared for its first and only wartime cruise into the Atlantic. This episode examines the strategic pressures behind Operation Rheinübung, the compromises...

6 Elo 24min