THE BATTLE FOR CRETE - A WEBQUEST
Name:
“The Battle for Crete in May 1941 was one of the most dramatic battles of the Second
World War. Over 7500 New Zealanders, along with British, Australian and Greek
troops and Cretan civilians, tried to fight off a huge German airborne attack; they
almost succeeded…..” (nzhistory.net)
Use the following links to complete the tasks related to The Battle for Crete
Background of the Battle
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-battle-for-crete/overview
Write a short paragraph in your own words briefly explaining why Crete’s strategic
importance to the war. (75-100 words)
(type your answer here)
The Battle
Read the first four paragraphs on http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-battle-forcrete/the-battle-day-1-3 and describe the beginning of the battle including – Where,
When, What, Why and How. (at least 200 words)
(type your answer here)
Continue to scroll down http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-battle-for-crete/thebattle-day-1-3 until you get to the six personal accounts of day one of the battle (in
blue text. Using quotes from at least three different accounts describe the conditions
of the battle on the opening day. (at least 150 words)
(type your answer here)
Choose three visuals from http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media_gallery/tid/56 that help
your understanding of the battle. Insert them below and next to each visual record
why you chose it. (at least one sentence for each visual)
(type your answer here)
Major General Freyburg
Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Freyberg,_1st_Baron_Freyberg to write a
brief biography of Freyburg and his role in the Battle for Crete. (at least 150 words)
For more detailed notes see:
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=5F14
(type your answer here)
Explain Freyburg’s dilemma with a) supplies and what this would have meant for the
allies’ campaign and b) whether to stay or go on the 24th May. (at least 100 words)
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-battle-for-crete/the-battle-day-4-6
(type your answer here)
Explain why Freyburg made the decision to withdraw troops on the 26th May. (at least
100 words) http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-battle-for-crete/the-retreat
(type your answer here)
Briefly explain the choices of those who were left behind after the evacuation. (at
least 50 words)
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-battle-for-crete/the-capitulation
(type your answer here)
Describe the conditions of the POW camps. Use quotes from the personal accounts to
support your answer. (at least 100 words)
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-battle-for-crete/the-aftermath
(type your answer here)
Who was to blame for the defeat?
Many blame General Freburg for the defeat in Crete. Others believe he was a
scapegoat. According to http://home.freeuk.net/johndillon/freyberg.htm
‘On the 2nd of May Freyberg expressed the view to Wavell that the "...force here can and will
fight, but without full support from Navy and Air Force cannot hope to repel invasion" .
Wavell's response was; "The Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, is prepared to support you
if Crete is attacked. I have most definite instructions from the War Cabinet to hold Crete and,
even if the question were reconsidered, I am doubtful if the troops could be removed before
the enemy attack. The difficulties and dangers of your situation are fully realised, but I am
confident that you and the magnificent troops at your disposal will be equal to the task. We
have very anxious times ahead in the Middle East for the next few weeks."
However, according to http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/the-battle-for-crete/the-controversies
‘Creforce commander Major-General B.C. Freyberg has also been the subject of considerable
criticism. As overall commander of the Allied forces on Crete, he must take responsibility for
the failure. His performance was attacked at the time by several of his subordinates. Hargest,
for example, complained to Prime Minister Peter Fraser that he did not 'keep control over the
conduct of operations', failed to take his senior officers into his confidence and occasionally
left doubts as to his intentions’
Using at least two other websites than those quoted above, decide who you think is
responsible for the massive defeat in Crete. (at least 300 words).
(type your answer here)