ULTRA Communiques
I sent these communiques to Norb Brunhuber, the Allied commander, in chronological sequence, as if the beginning of the game coincided with the historical D-Day. They provided more color than hard information, but, if the Allied players are not familiar with the campaign, they can offer the right mix of information and rumor.
Notice the quantity and quality of information the Allies actually possessed on German intentions and strengths. Freyberg, the Allied commander on Crete, was forbidden from acting on this information for fear of compromising Ultra. Thus, the failure to hold Crete was a failure of communication on many levels, from company level to CREFORCE to 10 Downing Street.
FOR GENL FREYBERG 28.4.41
It seems clear from our information that a heavy airborne attack by German troops and bombers will soon be made on Crete. Let me know what forces you have in the island and what your plans are. It ought to be a fine opportunity for killing the parachute troops. The island must be stubbornly defended.
W.S.C.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 2167 2340 HOURS 6.5.41
Preparation for operation against Crete probably complete on 17 May. Sequence of operations from Zero Day onward will be parachute landing of 7 Fliegerdivision plus corps troops 11 Fliegerkorps to seize Maleme Heraklion and Retimo. Then dive bombers and fighters will move to Maleme and Heraklion. Next air landing of remainder 11 Fliegerkorps including headquarters and subordinated army units. Then flak units, further troops and supplies. Third mountain regiment from 12 Army detailed, elements of armoured units, motorcyclists, anti-tank units to be detailed by supreme command army and all to be under 11 Fliegerkorps. Admiral South-East will provide protection with Italian torpedo boat flotillas, minesweepers and possibly U-boats. Sea transport by German and Italian vessels. Operation to be preceded before Zero Day by sharp attack on RAF military camps and anti-aircraft positions.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 2168 1005 HOURS 7.5.41
Flak units further troops and supplies mentioned our 2167 are to proceed by sea to Crete. Also three mountain regiments thought more likely than third mountain regiment.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 2169 1735 HOURS 7.5.41
Melos to be occupied by Germans on 7th May with a view to preparation aerodrome.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 2170 1830 HOURS 7.5.41
Further to 2167 this series concerning projected German attack on Crete. Following is estimated scale of attack and suggested timetable. Suggested timetable. First day or first day minus one -- sharp bombing attack on air force and military objectives. First day -- parachute landings and arrival of some operational aircraft. On first or second day arrival of air landing troops with equipment including guns, motor cycles and possibly light AFVs. Second day -- arrival of seaborne forces and supplies after arrival of airlanding detachments. Estimated scale of parachute and air landing attack. Number of troop carrying aircraft at present available in the area is about 450. This could be increased to 600 if required. Subject to operational facilities for the highest number being the scale of a parachute attack on the first day could be 12,000 men in two sorties. Scale of air landing of troops and equipment on second day could be 4,000 men and 400 tons of equipment or equivalent, carried by 600 JU 52. If an air landing operation took place on first day parachutists effort would be reduced by about 50%. A preliminary bombing attack would probably be made by long range bombers and twin engined fighters based in Bulgaria, Salonika, Athens and possibly Rhodes. Maximum effort for a day estimated at 105 long range bomber sorties and 100 twin engined fighter sorties. Aircraft available as occupying air force -- 60 ME 109s and 90 JU 87s. Start from landing grounds in Peleponnese. Position of landing grounds not known but Germans are believed to be searching for suitable sites. Athens area is the operational area from which airborne attack will probably start. All above scales of effort are the maximum weight which it is believed could be attained. No account has been taken of effect of our action or possible lack of operational facilities in the Athens area for the maximum number of aircraft available. Foregoing from Director of Intelligence.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 2/302 1745 HOURS 13.5.41
The following summarises intentions against Crete from operation orders issued.
Para 1. The island of Crete will be captured by the 11th Air Corps and the 7th Air Division and the operation will be under the control of the 11th Air Corps.
Para 2. All preparations, including the assembly of transport aircraft, fighter aircraft, and dive bombing aircraft, as well as of troops to be carried both by air and sea transport, will be completed on 17th May.
Para 3. Transport of seaborne troops will be in cooperation with admiral south-east, who will ensure the protection of German and Italian transport vessels (about twelve ships) by Italian light naval forces. These troops will come under the orders of the 11th Air Corps immediately o their landing in Crete.
Para 4. A sharp attack by bomber and heavy fighter units to deal with the allied air forces on the ground as well as with their anti-aircraft defenses and military camps, will precede the operation.
Para 5. The following operations will be carried out as from day one. The 7th Air Division will make a parachute landing and seize Maleme, Candia, and Retimo. Secondly. Dive bombers and fighters (about 100 aircraft of each type) will move by air to Maleme and Candia. Thirdly. Air landing of 11th Air Corps, including corps headquarters and elements of the Army placed under its command probably including the 22nd Division. Fourthly. Arrival of the seaborne contingent consisting of anti-aircraft units will also be allotted.
Para 7. Depending on the intelligence which is now awaited, also as the result of air reconnaissance, the aerodrome at Kastelli south east of Candia and the district west and south west of Canea will be specially dealt with, in which case separate instructions will be included in detailed operation orders.
Para 8. Transport aircraft, of which a sufficient number -- about 600 -- will be allotted for this operation, will be assembled on aerodromes in the Athens area. The first sortie will probably carry parachute troops only. Further sorties will be concerned with the transport of the air landing contingent, equipment and supplies and will probably include aircraft towing gliders.
Para 9. With a view to providing fighter protection for the operations, the possibility of establishing a fighter base on Skarpanto will be examined.
Para 10. The Quartermaster General's branch will ensure that adequate fuel supplies for the whole operation are available in the Athens area in good time, and an Italian tanker will be arriving at the Piraeus before May 17th. This tanker will probably also be available to transport fuel supplies to Crete. In assembling supplies and equipment for invading force it will be borne in mind that it will consist of some 30 to 35 thousand men, of which some 12,000 will be the parachute landing contingent, and 10,000 will be transported by sea. The strength of the long range bomber and heavy fighter force which will prepare the invasion by attacking before day one will be of approximately 150 long range bombers and 100 heavy fighter.
Para 11. Orders have been issued that Suda Bay is not to be mined, nor will Cretan aerodromes be destroyed, so as not to interfere with the operations intended.
Para 12. Plottings prepared from air photographs of Crete on one over ten thousand scale will be issued to units participating in this operation.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 2/284 1900 HOURS 13.5.41
Twin-engined aircraft will probably attack aerodromes on Crete on May 14th.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 5/313 0420 HOURS 14.5.41
If reconnaissance fails to reveal shipping targets on 14th May Junkers 88 dive bombers gruppe 1 LG1 will attack Suda Bay.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 6/314 1015 HOURS 14.5.41
In future the word COLORADO will be used instead of the word CRETE in all messages this series.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 8/337 0500 HOURS 16.5.41
On 16th May attacks by heavy fighters on British aircraft at Heraklion aerodrome intended also transfer to Scarpanto - aerodrome probably south point of island - of about 20 Junkers 87 aircraft to close Kaso strait.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 9/339 0805 HOURS 16.5.41
Further evidence indicates that day one for operation against COLORADO is 17th May but postponement by 48 hours appears likely.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 10/341 1410 HOURS 16.5.41
From further information postponement day one for operation against COLORADO confirmed. 19th May seems earliest date.
PERSONAL FOR GENERAL FREYBERG - MOST IMMEDIATE AND SECRET - DESTROY AFTER READING
OL 12/370 0155 HOURS 19.5.41
On May 19th at 0800 hours GMT conference of officers commanding air force units will take place at Eleusis aerodrome. Discussions concern operation against COLORADO, particularly Malemes, Canea, Retimo and Iraklion. Sorties by all units in spite of this conference. Single-engined fighter for Molaoi - in strength of about one flight at a time - will repeatedly attack aircraft on Malemes aerodrome on 19th. Dive bombers on Scarpanto also expected to operate probably on shipping. It seems today Monday may be day minus one.
|
