Tavronitis Bridge

West of Maleme, Crete, May 20 1941: The airfield at Maleme figured 
prominantly in the German plans for the capture of Crete. "Group 
West", comprising most of the 1st Assault Regiment under the command 
of General Meindl, consisted of three detachments: one to land at 
Tavronitis Brdige; one to destroy the AA gun positions and ease the way 
for the following troop-carrier transports; and one to land on the slopes 
of Point 107, high ground to the south of the field. Major Braun drew the 
task of seizing and holding the long span over the dry Tavronitis. Given 
free reign to plan his assault, he decided to daringly land in the dry bed 
itself and then take the British MG posts which guarded each side of the 
bridge from the rear.

Game Length: 6.5 turns

For the Germans to win they must capture the Tavronitis Bridge
For the New Zealanders to win they must defend the bridge from the Germans

Germans: Squads, LMG's, mtr's
New Zealanders: Squads, LMG's

Boards: #8

Aftermath: On the decent and landing, Major Braun had lost not a man. This 
was due in large part to the fact that most of the British AA crews were 
fighting for their lives at the time. And to the south, the sounds of gunfire 
indicated that Major Kock's force was attacking Point 107. Using the river bank 
for cover, Braun carefully organized his men and led them forward, hugging the 
steep slopes. Sighting the bridge ahead, Braun ordered a "general charge" which 
overwhelmed the lone New Zealand squad under the bridge and boiled over the 
banks to attack the machinegun emplacements. Distracted by the sounds of fighting 
a few hundred yards away to the east and south, the nervous New Zealanders had 
been caught by surprise. Despite fighting bravely, with the courage of the cornered, 
they were inundated by grenades and automatic fire. Within minutes, the New Zealand 
detachment gurding the Tavronitis Bridge was obliterated and Braun could turn his 
attention to other matters.

Source: ASL Scenario 93, Tavronitis Bridge, designed by Steve Swann
