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Topic: Operation Merkur

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Oliver Hazard Perry Throck Morton

Crete

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	::Operation Merkur::
		Operation Merkur was the name given to the German invasion of Crete in May 1941.
		Operation Merkur was the largest Garman airborne attack of World War Two and one that was to prove very costly to the Germans.
		Operation Merkur had started with high hopes, even if it had been rushed into being as Operation Barbarossa was looming and the paratroopers were needed for this campaign.
	www.historylearningsite.co.uk /operation_merkur.htm (539 words)

	Operation Mercury: The German Invasion of Crete, 20 May-1 June 1941
		The operation was the brainchild of Generalmajor Kurt Student, the commander, and fanatical proponent of the airborne arm (the Fallschirmjäger) who believed that the paratroopers could operate in their own right and not merely be used to support the Wehrmacht.
		Operation Felix (the attack on Gibraltar) was put on hold, possibly until late 1942, due to Franco’s bland non-commitment to the Axis cause, but Operation Marita (the invasion of Greece) had become more important than ever to due the need to secure the right flank of the advance into the Soviet Union.
		British operations on Crete were hampered by the poor shape many units found themselves in after the campaign in Greece, indecision, misunderstanding, a lack of information (at least when the fighting started) and poor communications in the chain of command, both on Crete itself from Crete to Egypt.
	www.rickard.karoo.net /articles/battles_crete.html (6809 words)

	Expansion operations and planning of the Axis Powers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		Operation Gelb (invasion of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg)
		Operation Sonnenblume (Erwin Rommel and the Afrika Korps reinforcing the Axis defenses of Cyrenaica in 1941)
		Operation Blau (plan to occupy the Caucasus, an expansion of the Barbarossa operation)
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Expansion_operations_and_planning_of_the_Axis_Powers (939 words)

	Down in Flames Campaigns
		Operation Marita was the last part of the German offensive in the Balkans.
		The operation was even faster in terms of the employment of the blitzkrieg tactics made famous in Poland and France.
		The operation also was to be another amazing escape of British forces from the island while being pursued just as had happened in France and later in Crete.
	www.downinflamesonline.com /Default.aspx?tabid=58 (1168 words)

	Operation Lustre - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		During World War II, Operation Lustre was the dispatch of British, Australian, New Zealand and Polish troops from Egypt to Greece in March and April 1941, in response to the failed Italian invasion and the new German threat revealed through Ultra.
		General Archibald Wavell, the Allied commander in North Africa, was told in January, 1941, that support for Greece must take precedence over all operations in the Middle East and this order was reinforced in February.
		Some of these units were moved to Crete (Operation Scorcher), where they were overwhelmed by the airborne invasion of that island (Operation Merkur), although it was a Pyrrhic victory for the Germans.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Operation_Lustre (456 words)

	HyperWar: "The German Campaigns in the Balkans (Spring 1941)--Part IV"
		During the decisive phase of the operation, the attacking air force routed the defender's naval forces, thereby isolating the island garrison.
		Meanwhile, the German command in Greece assumed that the operation was progressing according to plan because all troop carriers with the exception of seven returned to their bases.
		During the Crete operation the British had practically no aircraft based on the island and were unable to improvise effective air cover from North Africa because of the long distance between the air bases in Egypt and the fields on Crete.
	www.ibiblio.org /hyperwar/ETO/East/Balkans/Campaigns/Campaigns-4.html (7267 words)

	Australian Military Units
		The Australian units that formed part of the defending force were: the 2/2nd and 2/3rd Field Regiments, the 2/1st, 2/4th, 2/7th, 2/8th, 2/11th, 16th Brigade Composite and 17th Brigade Composite Battalions, a battery of the 2/3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, and several composite groups of miscellaneous Australian troops.
		In an operation codenamed "Merkur" (Mercury) over 9,500 German airborne troops landed on Crete on 20 May 1941, their main objectives being the three airfields.
		Operation "Merkur" had likewise proved costly for the Germans who suffered close to 7,000 fatal casualties.
	www.awm.gov.au /units/event_281.asp (507 words)

	Science Fair Projects - Battle of Crete
		The operation was successful in terms of taking the island from the Allied forces holding it, but the victory was so costly that the Germans never again launched a major airborne mission.
		Allied commanders were worried about the Germans using Crete as a "springboard" to further operations in the area, possibly a seaborne invasion of Egypt in support of the German/Italian forces operating from Libya.
		However these fears were soon put to rest when Operation Barbarossa opened, and it was clear the German operation was defensive in nature.
	www.all-science-fair-projects.com /science_fair_projects_encyclopedia/Operation_Merkur (2147 words)

	Kreta
		This was to be a Luftwaffe operation under the executive responsibility of General Löhr.
		When the German preparatory attacks from the air grew in intensity and the British were unable to operate from their airfields, the latter decided to withdraw their last few planes the day before the invasion began.
		Hill 259 was essential to the next phase of the operation and after heavy hand-to-hand fighting upon the bare slope-the Germans succeeded.
	www.gebirgsjaeger.4mg.com /kreta.htm (4552 words)

	Operation Merkur for Italy
		Operation Merkur recreates the battles around the Maleme and Canea are in the west of the island.
		As the principal theorist and originator of Operation Merkur, General Kurt Student was persistent in his theory that the best way to apply airborne power was to have multiple parachute drops that would in effect ‘bewilder’ the enemy in its deployment.
		Operation Merkur Scenario and Löhr Plan may be selected from Battles in Italy scenario listings.
	www.ssg.com.au /Run5/scenarios/Merkur.htm (903 words)

	Expansion operations and planning of the Axis... - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Expansion_operations_and_planning_of_the_Axis... (153 words)

	British Military Aviation in 1941 - Part 3
		Operation Merkur (Mercury): the German invasion of the island of Crete, begins with an airborne assault by the Luftwaffe's 7th Parachute Division.
		Although Allied ground units on Crete, and naval vessels in the surrounding waters, fight tenaciously, the defenders are forced to withdraw from the island during the period 28 May to 1 June.
		Operation Splice: 46 Hawker Hurricanes are flown to Malta, however, only four aircraft are retained, together with the pilots of No.249 Squadron.
	www.rafmuseum.org.uk /milestones-of-flight/british_military/1941_3.html (819 words)

	A Spitfire Chronology (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-29)
		Operation Merkur: The German airborne invasion of Crete.
		Operation Battleaxe, a counterattack of the 8th Army in North Africa.
		Operation Crusader, a British offensive in the North African desert.
	www.csd.uwo.ca /~pettypi/elevon/gustin_military/spit/spit1941.html (709 words)

	Military History Online (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-29)
		Typical of operations in the Third Reich part of the work was undertaken by Organization Todt, part by the Army, part by the Air Force and part by the Navy with no coordination of effort.
		In World War II the Germans were notorious for operating on a shoestring and early on frequently succeeded due to the shock value of Blitzkrieg.
		Operations were constrained by logistic concerns and senior leaders were frequently criticized for tentative strategic movements and failing to respond quickly to fleeting tactical opportunities.
	www.militaryhistoryonline.com /wwii/articles/sealionvsoverlord.aspx (5587 words)

	Review: Panther,Die Artillerie, and Fallschirmjaeger Videos
		Although containing footage showing their operations in North Africa through to East Prussia and the borders of Germany in 1944-45, the bulk of the film covers the Italian and Normandy theatres.
		This volume concludes with operations by paras in the East where they are seen taking on Soviet T-34s using Panzerschreck anti-tank weapons and on the borders of Germany in the opening months of 1945.
		First seeing action during Operation Weserubung - the invasion of Denmark and Norway in April 1940 - the Green Devils were the paratroop arm of the Luftwaffe and were to see extensive service in both air dropped and ground role, through to war's end in 1945.
	www.chrisevansbooks.com /video1.html (999 words)

	merkur flights (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-29)
		Merkur, the German word for Mercury, was an automobile brand which was briefly marketed by Ford Motor Company in the United States and Canada from 1985 to 1989.
		Merkur models have ceased to be in the limelight, but...
		The ephemeron called Merkur was apparent to the automobile industry for only a short while.
	www.wolf-kranhandel.de /merkur_flights.asp (341 words)

	Skirmish Wargames Photo Gallery - 2004 July- Devizes Attack- Crete 1941 - Operation Merker (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-29)
		Operation Merkur- The Invasion Of Crete 1941244 viewsA general view early on, the first Chutes coming down.
		Operation Merkur- The Invasion Of Crete 1941246 viewsLes B-T's New Zealand Dingo Armoured Car on the Bridge near Maleme Airfield under fire.
		Operation Merkur- The Invasion Of Crete 1941220 viewsFalschirmjaeger dropping near the Church.
	www.rottenlead.com /swcopper/thumbnails.php?album=1&page=1&sort=dd (208 words)

	Stand To - Airborne - Crete
		Unable to procure the Ad Division, who were trained in Air Landing operations but tied up in defending the oil fields in Romania, General Student incorporated the 5th Mountain Division into XI Air Corps.
		The cost of Operation Merkur was high on both sides.
		Ironically the Germans saw Merkur as a waste of many of their best troops and never again attempted a large scale Airborne assault.
	www.standto.com /airborne/crete.html (863 words)

	Merkur Spark Plugs at Drivewire.com (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-29)
		The spark plug is an important factor in determining optimal performance and reliable functioning of a Merkur engine.
		During operation, the Merkur spark plug is subjected to both wear and to fouling and should be replaced at regular intervals.
		As a rule, we recommend that you follow the replacement interval listed in your Merkur vehicle owners manual, however we highly recommend that you replace your Merkur spark plugs annually and replace as required, to insure optimum Merkur engine performance.
	www.drivewire.com /merkurparts/sparkplug.html (308 words)

	Aces of the Luftwaffe - Günther Rall (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-29)
		Shortly after beginning operations, he was given command of 8./JG 52 on 25th July and on 1st August he was promoted to Oberleutnant.
		After being brought back up to strength, the unit was sent to Rumania to defend the oil refinaries and bridges over the Danube during the German occupation of that country in the spring of 1941.
		In late May 8./JG 52 took part in Operation Merkur, the airborne assault on Crete, providing support for the German parachute and mountain troops.
	www.luftwaffe.cz /rall.html (678 words)

	Greece's Contribution to WWII - Military Photos
		An airborne operation against the Isthmus of Corinth was undertaken by two battalions of the German 2d Parachute Regiment, reinforced by one parachute engineer platoon and one parachute medical company.
		During the airborne operation one transport plane was forced down by squalls and crashed in the Pindus Mountains, and two gliders were wrecked while landing.
		Had this airborne operation been executed a few days earlier in the form of a vertical envelopment, its success would have been far greater since large numbers of British troops would have been trapped and thus prevented from reaching the ports of embarkation at the southern tip of the Peloponnesus.
	www.militaryphotos.net /forums/showthread.php?t=72353 (13906 words)

	[No title]
		Battleship HMS King George V, fleet carrier HMS Victorious, cruisers and destroyers are later joined by battlecruiser HMS Repulse 1941 - Operation Merkur (Mercury), the German invasion of Crete began at 0800 on Tuesday, 20 May 20.
		Three and a half-hours later, Fiji was hit by a single fighter-bomber operating at the extreme limit of its endurance.
		Despite his lack of operational experience in U-boats, during his first war patrol off the US East Coast he sank four ships for a total of 29,234 tons.
	www.seawaves.com /newsletters/TDIH/may/22May.txt (2241 words)

	Crete; sometimes guts is not enough
		The German plan, Operation Mercury, was to capture Crete with airborne troops with a glider regiment and a parachute regiment to land at Maleme and Canea on the morning of the 20 May.
		The runway was only some 2000 feet long but its capture by the Germans was essential to the success of its operation and they were able to hold onto to it despite strong New Zealand counter-attacks.
		The loss of Maleme airfield threatened the whole allied position in Crete since the Germans, with air-superiority, were able to bring in reinforcements and supplies.
	www.diggerhistory.info /pages-battles/ww2/crete.htm (4688 words)

	WWII General And Operations #2 quiz -- free game
		Which was the Operational Code-Name for the evacuation of the British and French troops at Dunkirk?
		Which was the German Operational Code-Name for the German offensive in the Ardennes, 'The Battle of the Bulge' December 16 1944?
		Which is the Operational Code-Name for the USAAF bombing of the Ploesti oil fields in Romania?
	www.funtrivia.com /playquiz.cfm?qid=15469 (320 words)

	::Fall of Crete::
		The battle for Crete - 'Operation Merkur' - was unique in that it entailed the use of the greatest number of German paratroopers in the whole of World War Two.
		By May 24th, he was ready to move from west to east across the island but inland as the British held defensive positions long the coastal region.
		Such an attrition rate was unacceptable to Hitler and after Operation Merkur, he ordered that all future attacks involving the paratroopers of Germany should be part of an infantry attack.
	www.historylearningsite.co.uk /fall_of_crete.htm (2109 words)

	Merkur - Hotels and Travel Discounts
		Operation Merkur Click here to visit our sponsor Operation Merkur was the name given to the German invasion of Crete in May 1941.
		Operation Merkur was the largest Garman airborne attack of World War Two and one that was to
		Hotel Bookings in Prague Hotel Merkur Hotel Code: 8981 more hotels in Prague Hotel Merkur in Prague Prague is fast becomingfantastic accommodation to choose from.
	www.nouakchotthotelsfinder.co.uk /merkur/index.shtml (329 words)

	Merkur Auto Loans, Bad Credit No Problem
		Merkur IT GmbH & Co. KG - Outsourcing für den Mittelstand - Merkur IT ist Ihr Full-Service-Provider in allen Gebieten der IT mit Hauptsitz in Hannover.
		Merkur Skilte og Reklame - Merkur Totalreklame kan løse alle former for grafisk arbejde.
		Merkur Soest - Glühlampen - Licht - Verkehrssignallampen - Hochdrucklampen - Autolampen - Sonde - Merkur, mit unserem Licht begleiten wir Ihr Leben, ob zu Hause, auf dem Weg zur Arbeit oder in der Freizeit und das seit über 90 Jahren mit hohem Qualitätsniveau und großer Sortimentsvielfalt.
	www.1800getatruck.com /rlinks.php?ID=324 (4561 words)

	Dansk Figurspilsforening
		Krigsmarinen deltager i operation "Merkur" med to dampskibsflotiller og to motorbådsflotiller under kommando af "Chef Sydøst", admiral Schuster.
		Først han under aften får man i Athen besked om den fejlslagne operation på Kreta.
		at englænderne har aflyttet den tyske radiotrafik og har derved allerede uger forinden fået kendskab til alle detaljer i operation "Merkur".
	www.krigsspil.dk /perioder/ww2/hist/operationmerkur.html (965 words)

	Wikinfo \| Battle of Crete
		On the morning of 20th May, 1941, Germany launched an airborne invasion on Crete under the code name Operation Merkur, which can be translated as Operation Mercury.
		Also, with Crete in British hands, the Axis south eastern position would never be safe, a vital necessity before starting Operation Barbarossa.On April 25 Adolf Hitler signed the directive No.28 ordering to take Crete.
		The invasion got known as the first airborne invasion in history, but that honor goes to the German paratroop assault on the Hague on May 10, 1940.
	www.wikinfo.org /wiki.php?title=Battle_of_Crete (719 words)

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