261: Crete Pt. 6 - Stick It Out

About this episode

This episode discusses the evacuation efforts during the battle for Crete and the challenges faced by the Royal Navy.

The battle for Crete shifts toward evacuation as the Royal Navy absorbs severe losses while trying to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the island by sea. This episode follows the aftermath of the disastrous naval fighting around May 22, Cunningham's determination to keep supporting the army, the final British naval operations around Crete, and the beginning of the withdrawal toward Sphakia and Heraklion under relentless Luftwaffe pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Wesley Livesay

Topics covered

• evacuation
• naval battles
• German reinforcements
• British operations
• Luftwaffe pressure
• Crete campaign

Keywords

• Crete
• Royal Navy
• Cunningham
• Luftwaffe
• evacuation
• naval operations
• German reinforcements

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Royal Navy, Luftwaffe

Places: Crete, Sphakia, Heraklion

More episodes of History of the Second World War

• 260: Crete Pt. 5 - Failed Counterattacks · June 3, 2026 · 21 min
• Listener Questions Pt. 4 · May 31, 2026 · 24 min
• 259: Crete Pt. 4 - Naval Victory, Naval Disaster · May 27, 2026 · 25 min
• 258: Crete Pt. 3 - May 20th a Day of Failures · May 20, 2026 · 28 min
• 257: Crete Pt. 2 - May 20th at Maleme · May 7, 2026 · 24 min
• 256: Crete Pt. 1 - Preparations · April 29, 2026 · 36 min