The Paratroopers of Crete: Operation Success at a Cost?

The Battle of Crete marked a pivotal moment in World War II, particularly in the field of airborne warfare. In May 1941, during the Battle of Crete, German paratroopers, or Fallschirmj?ger, were ordered to jump into action without their weapons. This decision to jump with minimal equipment aimed to enhance tactical surprise, but it came with significant risks and challenges.

Decision Behind Minimum Equipment

The primary reason for this order was to enable paratroopers to land in a more dispersed and unpredictable manner. This strategy was intended to increase the element of surprise, a critical factor in airborne operations. However, the decision to jump without weapons led to several logistical and tactical issues.

Challenges and Initial Setbacks

The aftermath of the operation revealed that many paratroopers landed without their rifles, making them vulnerable to the prepared Allied forces. The lack of weaponry hampered their ability to engage effectively upon landing, and some units faced intense resistance. Despite these initial setbacks, the German forces ultimately succeeded in capturing Crete, but the operation highlighted the risks associated with airborne assaults and the importance of adequate preparation and equipment.

Unique Equipment of Fallschirmj?ger

Unlike Allied paratroopers, Luftwaffe Fallschirmj?ger were deployed with minimal gear, typically consisting of knives, pistols, and grenades. This decision was partly due to the nature of their parachute, which required an acrobatic roll upon landing. Rifles and machine guns were dropped in separate canisters, typically the size of a footlocker, which had to be retrieved by the troops.

Equipment Canisters for Paratroopers

Pictures from the period and reproductions indicate that these canisters were painted in a way that facilitated easy identification and retrieval. Given their compact size, smaller than the average adult male, it would take approximately fourteen containers to properly equip a full Fallschirmj?ger platoon, which comprised about forty men.

Operation and Allied Preparedness

At Crete, the problem was that the British were ready and prepared for an armed German air assault. The large-scale deployment of paratroopers made them easily detectable in advance, leading to widespread dispersal and vulnerability to British and Greek militia. Troops were pinned down in crevices and rocks, unable to effectively return fire or reach their canisters from defending Allied forces.

Success and Innovation

Despite these challenges, the operation saw some successes. Eventually, paratroopers managed to capture an airstrip, and glider-borne paratroops arrived, fully armed and ready to fight. Additionally, Crete saw the use of one of the first airborne recoilless artillery weapons, such as the 7.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 40 (LG40) and 105mm models. These were designed as a stopgap measure, allowing paratroopers limited artillery support.

Airborne Artillery: An Innovative Solution

The 7.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 40 LG40 and the 105mm LG40 were recoilless versions of typical howitzers. The ammunition was contained in special recoilless cartridges. These designs were not only practical for airborne operations but also cost-effective, given their role in a relatively small portion of the German military during World War II.

Conclusion

The operation in Crete, though fraught with initial difficulties, demonstrated the evolving nature of airborne warfare and the challenges inherent in such operations. The use of minimum equipment and innovative artillery solutions highlighted the continuous adaptation of military strategies and equipment.