The Devil’s Landing: Wargaming the Battle of Crete

The spring of 1941 was a dark time for the Allies in the Mediterranean. Greece had fallen, and the battered remnants of the British Expeditionary Force, alongside Australian, New Zealand, and Greek troops, had found precarious refuge on the island of Crete. For Nazi Germany, flushed with victory, Crete was both an obstacle and an opportunity. It was a potential unsinkable aircraft carrier for the Royal Navy and RAF, threatening Axis shipping lanes and the Romanian oil fields. Capturing it would secure the southern flank for the impending invasion of Russia and demonstrate the power of a revolutionary form of warfare. Thus began the planning for Operation Mercury, history’s first major, predominantly airborne invasion. For wargamers, the Battle of Crete offers a unique and brutal scenario, a desperate struggle defined by vertical envelopment, fierce close-quarters fighting, and critical command decisions made under extreme pressure.

Crete presented a formidable challenge. A long, mountainous island, its key strategic assets – the airfields at Maleme, Rethymno, and Heraklion, and the vital port facilities around Suda Bay – were strung along the northern coast. Defending these points was a mixed Allied force under the command of New Zealander Major-General Bernard Freyberg. His troops, designated ‘Creforce’, were short of heavy weapons, transport, tanks, and crucially, air support. The Luftwaffe reigned supreme in the skies above the island. Yet, they possessed one significant advantage: Ultra intelligence had forewarned them of the impending airborne assault, though the precise timing and scale remained uncertain, leading to debates about the best defensive posture.

Facing them were the elite Fallschirmjäger, Germany’s paratroopers, under the command of General Kurt Student. These were highly trained, motivated soldiers, pioneers of airborne warfare. Operation Mercury was their ultimate test, an audacious plan relying entirely on seizing enemy airfields from the air, then rapidly flying in reinforcements, including Gebirgsjäger mountain troops, before the defenders could react decisively. The Germans possessed overwhelming air superiority, capable of pulverizing defences and interdicting any sea reinforcement attempts. However, the paratroopers would be landing dispersed, lightly armed, and incredibly vulnerable during and immediately after their descent. Everything hinged on speed, surprise (despite Ultra), and the swift capture of those vital airfields.

Warlord Games Falschirmjager in tropical uniforms

On the morning of May 20th, 1941, the skies over Crete filled with the drone of Junkers Ju 52 transport planes and the ominous shapes of DFS 230 gliders. The invasion began. It was not the swift, surgical strike the Germans envisioned. Instead, it descended into immediate, brutal chaos. Gliders crash-landed amidst olive groves and vineyards, disgorging troops directly into heavy fire. Paratroopers, scattered by wind and defensive fire, drifted down across the island, many cut down before they could even reach the ground or struggling to find their units and heavy weapons canisters.

The fighting around the designated landing zones was ferocious from the outset. Near Maleme airfield in the west, New Zealand defenders, well-dug in on the crucial Hill 107 overlooking the runway, poured devastating fire into the descending Germans. The Fallschirmjäger suffered horrendous casualties, but their training and aggression shone through. Small groups coalesced, fighting desperately to gain footholds, their determination matched by the ferocity of the Commonwealth defence. At Rethymno and Heraklion, similar scenes unfolded. Australian and British troops, alongside Greek soldiers and determined Cretan civilians armed with whatever they could find, met the airborne attackers with immediate violence. German units were isolated, pinned down, and in many areas, faced annihilation. The first day was a catastrophe for the invaders.

Yet, the battle hung on a knife edge, particularly at Maleme. Despite their heavy losses, the surviving Germans relentlessly pressed the attack towards the airfield. Critically, confusion reigned in the Allied command structure. Misinformation, severed communication lines, and the sheer shock of the airborne assault led to fatal misinterpretations. A decision by a local commander, fearing encirclement and lacking clear orders, led to the withdrawal of the New Zealanders from the vital Hill 107 during the night. It was a pivotal moment. Finding the heights abandoned, the Germans swiftly occupied them, securing the western end of the Maleme airfield.

This single tactical gain proved decisive. Although still under fire, the Germans now held enough of Maleme to begin landing Ju 52s, often under direct mortar and machine-gun fire. These transports brought in the desperately needed Gebirgsjäger reinforcements, heavier weapons, and supplies. The balance began to irrevocably shift. While the defenders at Rethymno and Heraklion continued to hold out stubbornly for several more days, effectively isolating and neutralizing the German forces landed there, the main German effort consolidated around Maleme and began pushing eastwards.

The Commonwealth troops fought with tenacity and courage, launching counter-attacks, notably the determined but ultimately unsuccessful New Zealand attempts to retake Maleme airfield. The fighting degenerated into a brutal infantry battle across the rugged Cretan terrain, marked by close-quarter combat in villages and olive groves. However, without air support, adequate artillery, or tanks, and facing steadily increasing numbers of reinforced German troops, the Allied position became untenable. The Luftwaffe’s command of the air was absolute, strafing and bombing Allied positions at will and making any significant daylight movement suicidal.

The Royal Navy attempted a valiant rescue, running the gauntlet of German bombers to evacuate the beleaguered Creforce from the southern port of Sfakia. It was a costly endeavour. The Luftwaffe savaged the evacuation fleet, sinking numerous warships and transports, demonstrating the vulnerability of naval power without air cover. Thousands of Allied soldiers were successfully evacuated, but thousands more were left behind to become prisoners of war, alongside their Greek comrades. Cretan civilians, who had fought bravely alongside the Allies, faced brutal German reprisals in the aftermath.

By June 1st, the battle was over. Crete had fallen to the Germans. It was a German victory, but a pyrrhic one. The elite Fallschirmjäger divisions were shattered, having suffered irreplaceable losses in veteran troops and NCOs. Hitler was reportedly shocked by the casualty rate and forbade any further large-scale airborne operations, a decision that arguably impacted German strategic options later in the war. For the Allies, it was another bitter defeat, highlighting the critical importance of air power and the difficulties of defending against determined airborne assault without it.

Wargaming the Battle of Crete offers a wealth of compelling scenarios. The initial landings provide frantic, small-unit actions where scattered paratroopers must consolidate under heavy fire against determined defenders. The struggle for Maleme airfield is a classic objective-based fight, perfect for company or battalion-level games, where control of key terrain like Hill 107 dictates the flow of reinforcements and the ultimate outcome. The defence of Rethymno or Heraklion allows for scenarios focusing on isolated forces fighting against the odds. The naval evacuation under air attack presents a different type of challenge, blending air and sea elements.

The asymmetry of the forces is a key attraction. One side has total air supremacy and elite, albeit initially vulnerable, assault troops. The other has determined infantry, knowledge of the ground, and the potential support of partisans, but lacks mobility and heavy firepower. Command and control challenges, supply issues (especially for the Germans initially), and the impact of morale under intense pressure are all factors ripe for exploration on the tabletop. Whether you prefer skirmish actions focusing on glider assaults or larger battles deciding the fate of an airfield, Crete provides a dramatic backdrop. It’s a campaign defined by innovation, desperation, incredible bravery, and ultimately, the brutal calculus of modern warfare, making it an enduringly fascinating subject for any wargamer interested in the Second World War.

Wargaming Scenario for Battle of Crete: Assault on Hill 107 (Maleme)

Falschirmjaeger support force in 15mm for Flames of War

Historical Context: Morning, May 20th, 1941. Following waves of bombing, German Fallschirmjäger and glider troops descend upon the Maleme airfield sector, defended primarily by troops from the New Zealand 2nd Division. Hill 107 dominates the western approaches to the airfield and is crucial terrain. Its capture is vital for the Germans to secure the airfield; its retention is paramount for the defenders to prevent German reinforcements from landing. This scenario represents the initial, chaotic German assault on the hill against the prepared defenders.

Game Setting: This scenario is designed for company to battalion-level rules systems (like Bolt Action, Chain of Command, Flames of War with adjustments, etc.). The table should represent the terrain around Hill 107.

Table Setup:
The playing area should be roughly 6’x4′. The dominant feature is Hill 107, a reasonably large, sloped hill occupying a significant portion of one long table edge (the Allied deployment zone). The hill should offer good lines of sight over the surrounding area but also feature scattered cover like rocky outcrops, scrub, and perhaps a few weapon pits or sangars representing prepared positions.
The rest of the table represents the approaches to the hill – primarily olive groves (providing light cover/concealment), some stone walls or fences (linear obstacles/cover), maybe a small vineyard patch, and perhaps a single small stone farmhouse or shepherd’s hut. The edge opposite Hill 107 is the German entry zone. The ground should generally slope upwards towards the hill.

Forces:

• German Player (Attacker): Elements of III./Sturmregiment 1

  • Force comprises elite Fallschirmjäger. Represent roughly two reinforced Fallschirmjäger companies.

  • Include rifle sections, sections with MG34s, several light mortar teams (50mm), maybe a pioneer section with demolition charges, and company/battalion command elements.

  • Initial Weakness: The Germans begin the game having just landed. Heavy weapons (mortars, MGs deployed on tripods, anti-tank rifles if used) are initially unavailable. See Special Rule: Airborne Assault.

• Commonwealth Player (Defender): Elements of the New Zealand 22nd Battalion

  • Force comprises determined regular/veteran infantry. Represent roughly one reinforced infantry company plus attached support.

  • Include several rifle platoons (each typically 3 sections), company command, Vickers medium machine gun teams, and 2-inch or 3-inch mortar teams.

  • Defensive Advantage: The Commonwealth forces begin deployed in prepared positions. See Special Rule: Prepared Defences.

Deployment:

• Commonwealth Player: Deploys first. All units must be deployed on Hill 107 or within 6 inches of its base. A portion of the force (up to one-third of units, potentially including MMGs or mortars) may start hidden or in ambush positions, according to your rules system’s mechanics for prepared defenders. Mark the locations of any weapon pits or trenches providing enhanced cover.

• German Player: Does not deploy units on the table at the start. German forces enter the table via the Airborne Assault special rule during their first turn(s).

Special Rules:

• Airborne Assault:

  • Landing: In the first German turn, the German player designates intended landing points for their units anywhere on the table not on Hill 107 itself or within 6″ of an enemy unit. Roll for scatter for each unit (e.g., 2D6 inches in a random direction from the intended point). Units landing in dangerous terrain (buildings, dense olive groves) may suffer casualties or disorganization based on your rules. Units are immediately vulnerable to defensive fire upon landing if within line of sight and range (‘shooting fish in a barrel’). Depending on your rules, landed units might start pinned, suppressed, or need a turn to organize.

  • Weapon Canisters: German heavy weapons (MMGs on tripods, mortars, PzB anti-tank rifles) do not land with the troops. They arrive via parachute canister markers scattered near the landing troops (place one marker per heavy weapon team near where its corresponding unit landed). A Fallschirmjäger infantry unit must reach a canister marker and spend an action (or full turn, depending on rules) to retrieve the weapon, which can then be crewed and used normally from the following turn. Until retrieved, these weapons are unavailable. Glider-borne troops (if used as a variant) might land closer together and with some immediate support weapons.

• Prepared Defences: Commonwealth units defending on Hill 107 in designated cover (weapon pits, sangars, rocky outcrops) receive an improved cover save bonus compared to standard terrain cover. Hidden units may fire from ambush with relevant bonuses.

• Command & Control: Initial German command may be shaky due to the scattered landing. Consider imposing a penalty on German command rolls or initiative for the first 1-2 turns until leaders can rally their troops.

• No Air Support (Initially): The initial hours were focused on the landings. Neither side has access to off-table air support during this scenario. The Luftwaffe’s impact came later.

Objectives:

The primary objective is control of the summit of Hill 107. Place 3 objective markers on tactically significant points along the crest or upper slopes of Hill 107.

• German Victory Conditions:

  • Major Victory: Control at least two objective markers on Hill 107 at the end of the game, with no undisrupted Commonwealth units within 6″ of those controlled markers.

  • Minor Victory: Control one objective marker on Hill 107 OR contest two objective markers (have units within 6″ but so do Commonwealth forces) at the end of the game.

• Commonwealth Victory Conditions:

  • Major Victory: Prevent the Germans from achieving even a Minor Victory. Have undisputed control of at least two objective markers at the end of the game.

  • Minor Victory: Prevent the Germans from achieving a Major Victory, potentially while controlling only one objective marker or contesting the others.

• Casualties: High casualty rates can modify victory levels. If the German player achieves their objective but suffers excessive losses (e.g., over 60-70% casualties depending on your system), downgrade their victory one level. If the Commonwealth player holds but suffers excessive losses, downgrade their victory one level.

Game Length:
Play for 6 to 8 turns, representing the intense fighting of the first few hours on May 20th.

Historical Outcome:
Historically, the fighting for Hill 107 was incredibly fierce. The New Zealanders inflicted heavy casualties on the landing Fallschirmjäger. However, through confusion, communication breakdowns, and relentless German pressure, the defenders eventually withdrew from the hill during the night of May 20th/21st. This proved disastrous, allowing the Germans to secure Maleme airfield and fly in vital reinforcements, ultimately sealing Crete’s fate.