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Force Protection Training Flight Ex MERCURY ROCK
After months of careful planning by Cpl Bush, 11 personnel from RAF Odiham Force Protection Flight undertook Force Development in Crete over the period 13-16 Jun.
Crete - 13-16 Jun 22
The rationale of the trip was to understand the significance of the Battle of Crete and its context during this particular phase of WW2. Over four days the group visited ten locations around the northwest of Crete to comprehend why the island was so significant from a military perspective and what events led to the invasion of the island on the 20th of May 1941 by a German Airborne division.
Day 1: After an early start and morning flight to Chania, the group arrived late-afternoon and took the early opportunity to briefly visit the Souda Bay War Cemetery and German Shelter of St Spiridon, Chania – the location of subsequent stands. After checking into their accommodation overlooking the picturesque harbour the team retired for dinner and a quiet evening, building themselves up for a packed Day 2 programme.
Day 2: Day 2 started with travel to Maleme airfield – operated by the British pre-invasion . On arrival, it was apparent to all that the airfield would have been an excellent location for air operations and of significant strategic value with whoever controlling the airspace also controlling key Mediterranean sea approaches. As a result it was of great interest to both Hitler and the Allies. Whilst only 1000hrs, temperatures were already approaching 26°C and there was a realisation amongst the group of the struggles British forces would have experienced in withdrawing from hillside locations with wounded colleagues and under the heavy fire of an approaching enemy. Next the group visited Tavronitis Bridge. The bridge was
witness to fighting on the first day of Operation Mercury - the code name for the invasion - as German Fallschirmjagers (parachute forces) landed near the bridge with gliders as part of their attack on the airfield. As well as providing an overview of Mercury, the day’s second stand also explored the training and use of German parachute units during WW2 and the relevance of conventional parachute forces to modern warfare. The group subsequently moved onto the German War cemetery and ‘Hill 107’. At the former they considered the ultimately successful application of the Fallschirmjäger despite high rates of attrition and stubborn resistance from both the allies and poorly armed locals. Specifically, this section of the day allowed for discussion on the subsequent formation of the RAF Regiment to counter future enemy offensives on key airfields. At the latter, the group explored the German rationale for invading Crete in 1941 whilst also considering how the allies lost despite having a robust defence plan, superior manpower and substantial naval capability. After lunch the group travelled to the Black Tree Memorial Park, a monument to Cretans killed during the German invasion. Here the focus shifted to Nazi brutality against the local population, how this compared to their treatment of other groups during the wider war, and how Cretans reflect upon the war today. For the final stand of the day, the group visited the German Shelter of St Spiridon, Chania. Fittingly they dissected the German concept of force protection, considered how the Luftwaffe attempted to defeat RAF ground defences during the Battle of Crete, and discussed parallels to recent coalition operations.
Day 3: After breakfast, the group travelled to the Souda Bay War Cemetery. With 1527 UK and Commonwealth soldiers and airmen interred at the site, it provided a sobering opportunity to reflect on the human cost of war and the battle for Crete specifically. Focussing
Est.1946
A Family run business from 1947, handed down through the family. The business is 75 years old and many more years to run!
On the ground floor we have leather handbags, wallets, purses, coats, gloves, suitcases, holdalls etc. The second floor is the workshop, and our repair shop. We specialise in putting in zips for handbags, leather boots, stitching straps etc.
We sell Barbour coats and hats, jumpers, socks, gloves, shooting items, and Barbour and Aigle Wellingtons.
We praise ourselves on having a shop giving a service, and we sell items of quality.
on remembrance, the stand also involved sharing some of the extraordinary exploits of those who gave their lives. Early afternoon provided the opportunity to visit the excellent areological site at Aptera. Not missing the opportunity to draw links to today, the group first considered how the ancient population centre succumbed to a natural disaster driven by climatic factors before discussing the political and economic influence of the Ancient Minoans on both friends and foes. The day ended at the nearby Pill boxes at Aptera, part of a massive fortification programme undertaken by the Germans following their invasion and subsequent occupation of Crete. Again, this generated debate regarding the criticality of terrain in defence, the effectiveness of modern defence approaches and how the allies were ultimately able to overcome such fortifications, both in Crete and the wider European theatre. That evening, the final night of the trip, the group took the opportunity to thank Cpl Bush over dinner for his excellent organisation of the trip before sampling some of the sights and culture of Chania Town.
Day 4: After departing the hotel the group headed for their final stand of the week, the Askyfou War Museum. The Museum serves as a tribute to the Cretan men who fought for their freedom whilst also hosting an array of other wartime artefacts. Of greatest interest were the displays of cumbersome wartime kit and heavy munitions and the apparent impact this would have had on soldiers and their mobility operating on hilly landscapes. This allowed for discussion of Project Pain, the effort to reduce the wright of battlefield equipment during Op HERRICK, and the current-day use of Air Power to forward mount FOBS and supply routes, combined with UAV’s delivering real-time situational awareness to commanders even in the most challenging terrain. After the museum, the group enjoyed their last long lunch before flying home ready for the onset of blended FP trg and the new Chinook Fce PDT package.
M.E. HOWITT
Est.1946
Leather Goods & Traditional Repair Workshop M.E. Howitt is an estalished traditional family business. We specialise in Barbour Clothing, Wellingtons and Slippers. We stock Leather Goods & Gifts and offer a full range of Travel Luggage, Leather HandBags and Wallets/Purses.
We have a workshop on site to repair most leather items including handbags, saddlery, motorcycle outfits, and gloves. Tel. 01420 83049 sandra@sandhow.f2s.com www.mehowitt.co.uk 2-4 Turk St, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 1AG
