Men of Valour: New Zealand and the Battle for Crete

Palenski's book on the New Zealand forces and their battle on Crete concentrates on the command, on the battle and ultimately the defeat, and on the blame afterwards. Other books deal in more depth with the individuals (for example Charles Upham), or with the POW situation afterwards, or with those soldiers who remained to chance their arm in the mountains rather than to surrender after the last of the evacuation boats had departed.

The main story revolves around those in command, who are all criticised by various historians, and indeed by each other in many cases. Bernard Freyberg, Les Andrew, Lindsay Inglis, Jim Hargest, Howard Kippenberger, Edward Puttick. All are scrutinised by one historian or another, some defended, some not.

Palenski's book puts it all out there, not necessarily coming to a conclusion, but certainly hinting where blame is found to be unreasonable.

There are a number of relevant quotes:
p201: The problem is to decide what is the proper measure of criticism. Howard Kippenberger

p204: In every battle in which I have taken part, if you lose, a scapegoat must be found. Keith Elliot (22nd Battalion, VC recipient)

Regardless of the blame, it is without doubt that the NZ forces were brave, fought against the odds from an underpowered and under supported position to blunten the fierce German attack, far larger and more vicious than could have been expected. The German supply lines, but more importantly their air support, the like of which was not available to the Allies on Crete was the winning of the battle for Crete.

This book comes across as relatively balanced - on Crete there were also a lot of Australian soldiers, British too, Greeks and a handful of others. The book credits their actions where relevant, but this book is ultimately about the New Zealanders on Crete. The majority of the New Zealanders were concentrated around the northwestern area of Crete - Maleme, Galatus, Canae & Suda.

4 Stars