Due to its size and location, Crete provided an interesting strategic point for both the Allied forces and the Axis. The construction of 3 airfields at Maleme, Heraklion and Retimo swiftly after Crete’s entry into the war in October 1940 gave the island this potential to be used as an aerial assault base, and the major port at Suda Bay opened up potential for a centralised naval base in the Balkan theatre. Crete held no natural resources or industry that could aid either side, but was able to “threaten the Balkans as far as the oil fields in Rumania” [1], making it essential to maintain control of the island to control the oil fields.
A map of Crete in relation to the Balkans, some range indicators give a feel for the area that aerial support could cover.
Because of the Rumanian oil fields being in close proximity to Crete, the island base was a high priority target for Germany, who already did not have enough oil to fight a long war against the three major allied economies. Losing the oil fields meant losing over 33% of their oil supply [2], which would have been devastating for the German war machine. Crete was also the last remaining Allied stronghold in the Balkan theatre, so by capturing Crete, Hitler would also “close the Balkan door” [1] ready for his next campaign. The ports along the coast of Crete, primarily Suda Bay, could allow Germany to “endanger British sea communications” [1] and attempt to capture the Suez Canal. By denying the Allied forces use of the Suez Canal, Hitler could cut off British trade links from the East almost completely, as the only alternate route that the trade and/or transport ships could take would be around the Southern tip of the African peninsular, which would make them sitting ducks for any patrolling U-Boats in the region [1]. Crete also provided access for Hitler to expand in Europe, as the Island would give him a stronghold in Eastern Europe, which could also be used for a campaign into Russia, Hitler’s major goal [3].
For the Allies, Crete’s airfields could obviously pressure Rumania’s oil fields, the lifeblood of the German War machine, which could potentially end the war swiftly by starving Germany of their most precious resource. The oil fields at Ploesti, Rumania were in bombing range of the RAF [4] which would have forced Hitler to immediately try to recapture the island, resulting in even more casualties for the Axis. The construction of the three airfields driven by Britain showed the Allies intent, to use Crete in the future as a centre of military operations in the East. Controlling Crete also hindered the reunion of the German force that captured the rest of the Balkans, and Rommel’s force in North Africa. If Crete was defended early enough, it could have been used as a deployment zone for troops into the North African theatre of war, potentially turning the tide of the conflicts over there also. The harbour at Suda Bay was the largest in the Mediterranean, which would help assist the Royal Navy to continue to assert their dominance of the seas.
Crete was an imperative position for the Axis to hold due to its proximity to their major reliable oil source. It also held many other bonuses, such as the largest port in the area, and three brand new airfields that could be used to launch campaigns in any direction the Axis pleased. The Allies needed to retain the island to prevent handing over the island stronghold, and could have used it offensively to assert their naval dominance and pressure Germany’s oil supply.
[1]Nazi Invasion of Crete – circa 1944 Official Strategic Services World War II – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFqabDQvC5w
[2]: US Secretary (January 1943). Casablanca Conference: Papers and Minutes of Meetings. Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library; COMBINED CHIEFS OF STAFF: Conference proceedings, 1941–1945; Box 1: Office of the Combined Chiefs of Staff. pp. 40–43,88,256. “Brehon Somervell[inside front cover] … DECLASSIFIED … 10/29/73 … U.S. SECRET … BRITISH MOST SECRET … COPY NO. 32[inside back cover]“
[3]: http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/articles/invadingrussia.aspx
[4]: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/fall_of_crete.htm
The battle for crete 