260: Crete Pt. 5 - Failed Counterattacks

260: Crete Pt. 5 - Failed Counterattacks

From History of the Second World War by Wesley Livesay

June 3, 2026 · 21 min · Season 4 · Episode 73

About this episode

This episode examines the failed Allied counterattacks during the Battle of Crete and the impact of misreading intelligence on military strategy.

The Royal Navy's success in turning back the German invasion convoys in the waters north of Crete on the night of May 21st removed the threat of a seaborne landing, but it could not undo the damage done by Commander Freyberg's obsession with that very threat. This episode examines how Freyberg's misreading of Ultra intelligence about the 5th Mountain Division led him to hoard troops along the coast and withhold artillery from targets plainly visible in front of them, all while the Germans steadily expanded their grip on Maleme airfield. The doomed Allied counter-attack of May 22nd — delayed until daylight, shattered by German fighters before it could reach the runway — marks the decisive turning point of the battle. With General Julius Ringel arriving to assume command and concentrate all German effort on driving east from Maleme, the British began their retreat toward Galatas, conceding any chance of recovering the airfield. Meanwhile, at Rethymno and Heraklion, Allied forces were holding on and even turning German supply drops to their own advantage — a stark contrast to the unraveling situation in the west that sets the stage for the final collapse. Learn more about your ad…

People in this episode

Host: Wesley Livesay

Topics covered

  • World War II
  • Battle of Crete
  • Military strategy
  • Allied forces
  • German invasion
  • Ultra intelligence

Keywords

  • Crete
  • Allied counterattack
  • German invasion
  • Commander Freyberg
  • General Julius Ringel
  • Maleme airfield
  • Ultra intelligence
  • World War II

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Crete, Maleme, Galatas, Rethymno, Heraklion

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