Operation Mercury

"Starting from Clausewitz's famous statement that war is the continuation of politics by other means, Heinz A. Richter's study does not view the Battle of Crete in isolation as a purely military event, but as part of the then political and military confrontation between the British world and its allies with the Axis powers. Thus, as far as the prehistory is concerned, the presentation is also a piece of history of diplomacy. At the same time, the different strategic concepts of the two parties involved are analyzed, taking into account the partly divergent internal German plans of the army on the one hand and the navy and air force on the other. The operational planning of both sides are discussed in detail. Finally, the tactical implementation and parallel effects in the Middle East and London are observed in the description of the battle itself".