Crete 1941: The Battle at Sea (Cassell Military Paperbacks) [Paperback]

David A. Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cassell Military Paperbacks | Publication Date: May 28, 2004

No punches are pulled in this strong account of a major disaster that cost the lives of 2,000 British sailors. In the six-week period between April and June 1941, in the waters around Greece and Crete, the British navy suffered constant aerial bombardment, with little or no support from the RAF. Even though the Germans had no sea fleet, this running battle could hardly have been won by the British, caught with nowhere to hide.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A former Royal Navy officer and now a naval historian of note.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Cassell (May 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0304364002
• ISBN-13: 978-0304364008
• Product Dimensions: 0.5 x 5 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,483,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > World War II > Naval
  • #80 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > Naval

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, January 16, 2007

By 

S. M. Klauber "a history lover" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crete 1941: The Battle at Sea (Cassell Military Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This is an enoyable, well-written and very even-handed treatment of a fascinating, discrete subject. One marvels at the heroism, tradition and bravery of the RN, and the author gives due credit to the aggressive tactics of the Luftwaffe. As for the Italian Navy,well, the author is fair, and says good things about the few things he can. I actually had no idea the Italian navy could have so easily swept the British from the Eastern Mediterranean, if they had the will, and the tradition. It always amazes me when I read books like this, meaning well-written ones, how brave people at war can be. Also a very fair view taken of Cunningham, not just hagiography. Finally, after getting their behinds kicked by the Luftwaffe due to no air cover for its ships, how could the Brits possibly have sent out the Repulse and Prince of Wales (w/o air cover) in December of the same year?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CASSELL MILITARY PAPERBACKS, February 21, 2005

By 

Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Crete 1941: The Battle at Sea (Cassell Military Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This is only one of the numerous CASSELL paperback reprints in my collection, and I really believe that for the money, versus the history given, these are some of the best books available.

This one concerns the battle for Crete, 1941, but as the cover clearly states, this has to do with the battle at sea. The land battle for Crete went to the Germans, and likewise the battle at sea. The RAF provided little to no protection, resulting in 'target practice' for the Luftwaffe. The Royal Navy wasn't too 'royal' losing 3 cruisers, 8 destroyers, 2 battleships and 1 aircraft carrier. While other cruisers and battleships suffered various degrees of damage. Oh yeah, close to 2,000 officers and men of the Royal Navy were killed in action.

All of this ties in with the several months of action for the Royal Navy in conjunction with the Yugoslavian, Grecian, and Crete campaigns. All of which would have been better for the British and the Royal Navy had they stayed home and skipped the debacle.

This book was originally published in 1972, and CASSELL is to be commended for reissuing it. Makes a good companion the other studies on the land battles for Crete. Very informative read.

Semper Fi.