AAR 3

From: Dr. Norbert Brunhuber

May 1941.
Aboard HMS Ajax
From: Gen. Freyberg, Supreme Commander CREFORCE
To: Remnants of the Commonwealth CREFORCE

And so I look back at the fast receding shore of southern Crete at the railing of this fast ship with wind in my hair but no tears in my eyes. We fought the good fight men. Holding off the Germans for so long has got to put a crimp in their plans for the East Front at least. And it has delayed supply into North Africa and hurt their offensive there.

I was extremely pleased at how well everyone followed their objectives and stubbornly never gave up even when the airfields were dancing between Allied and Axis hands. I am also happy that you all for diligently sending reports up to my HQ using The Code. It helped us enormously to shift our few land reserves and of course to send in the devastating attacks of the Navy.

I was happy to coordinate the efforts of all CREFORCE. I could not, however, have done it without each of your efforts. Either in the pre-planning or in the field. I would be proud to fight with you again in the future, at another place, in another time.

Now I can see the Mountain Regiment crawl down the mountain sides to the beaches like so many lice crawling out of a street-urchin's hair. They might have taken the island, but they'll never be the same again. And with that last glance, I turn myself around and face Egypt. Alexandria ... another glorious battle awaits.

Signed,
Gen. Freyberg,
Supreme Commander
CREFORCE