Post by HangryBird on Apr 9, 2021 7:47:31 GMT
Wrote this little drabble because I was bored.
An Alternate Battle of Crete
Hermann Goring was annoyed at Kurt Student's stubborn insistence. The meeting was held to finalize the draft for the airborne invasion of Crete and two different plans were proposed. The question was which one should be chosen or if a compromise should be reached instead. That question was the cause for this debate that was taking too much of his precious time; time that could be spent on more pleasant matters, such as looking for additions to his art collection.
"I will repeat it again", argued Student, "The success of this operation will depend on the swiftness of the paratroopers to silence the anti-aircraft guns! Under my plan, the paratroopers would be able to achieve maximum surprise for this to happen."
"Under your plan, the paratroopers would be dispersed among the airfields at Maleme, Heraklion, and Rethymno", retorted Alexander Lohr, "Doing that would play to the enemy's strengths. The Allies are naturally forced to disperse their forces among the airfields, lest we be allowed to land our troops in a weakly defended area. That is why we must concentrate our paratroopers to take Maleme."
Admiral Karlgeorg Schuster joined in, "Agreed. Maleme is the most key objective and its capture will decide the fate of the operation. It's the largest airfield: big enough for heavy transport aircraft, close enough to the mainland for land-based fighters to provide air cover, and seaborne reinforcements can be sent the quickest." Then, he smiled, one that did not reach his eyes, "Your paratroopers are certainly capable, but I believe your exceptions of them will fall short, should we commit to your overly ambitious plan."
Student's eyes narrowed. He resumed talking, but with a considerable edge to his voice, "On what grounds do you, an Admiral, have the right to criticize my paratroopers, the force that I have dedicated myself to building ever since that damned Treaty of Versailles?"
Goring sighed. It looked like he needed to step in, before the meeting was derailed again. Ultimately, the final draft couldn't be presented to the Fuhrer without his approval, so he had the final say here. His decision would decide the fate of the Luftwaffe. Goring knew that his star was on the decline ever since the Luftwaffe's failure to neutralize the RAF and establish air superiority over Britain. He remembered his boast to the Fuhrer that not a single British bomber would make it past the Luftwaffe. Then, the British just had to bomb Berlin to prove him wrong. Hitler's tirade that day was something he wished to prevent from ever happening again. A successful invasion of Crete and a strong showing by the Luftwaffe would allow him to regain favor with the Fuhrer. Goring had made up his mind. The idea of an airborne invasion of Crete was already ambitious of itself, so he couldn't afford to be too ambitious and make a miscalculation similar to his underestimation of the RAF.
"Lets us get back on track" interrupted Goring, "After careful consideration, I believe the plan proposed by Lohr and Schuster has the best chance of success. You have convinced me that a dispersion of the paratroopers will be fatal to the operation, so I will bring your draft to the Fuhrer as soon as possible. You are all dismissed."
Anyone want to guess the POD?
An Alternate Battle of Crete
Hermann Goring was annoyed at Kurt Student's stubborn insistence. The meeting was held to finalize the draft for the airborne invasion of Crete and two different plans were proposed. The question was which one should be chosen or if a compromise should be reached instead. That question was the cause for this debate that was taking too much of his precious time; time that could be spent on more pleasant matters, such as looking for additions to his art collection.
"I will repeat it again", argued Student, "The success of this operation will depend on the swiftness of the paratroopers to silence the anti-aircraft guns! Under my plan, the paratroopers would be able to achieve maximum surprise for this to happen."
"Under your plan, the paratroopers would be dispersed among the airfields at Maleme, Heraklion, and Rethymno", retorted Alexander Lohr, "Doing that would play to the enemy's strengths. The Allies are naturally forced to disperse their forces among the airfields, lest we be allowed to land our troops in a weakly defended area. That is why we must concentrate our paratroopers to take Maleme."
Admiral Karlgeorg Schuster joined in, "Agreed. Maleme is the most key objective and its capture will decide the fate of the operation. It's the largest airfield: big enough for heavy transport aircraft, close enough to the mainland for land-based fighters to provide air cover, and seaborne reinforcements can be sent the quickest." Then, he smiled, one that did not reach his eyes, "Your paratroopers are certainly capable, but I believe your exceptions of them will fall short, should we commit to your overly ambitious plan."
Student's eyes narrowed. He resumed talking, but with a considerable edge to his voice, "On what grounds do you, an Admiral, have the right to criticize my paratroopers, the force that I have dedicated myself to building ever since that damned Treaty of Versailles?"
Goring sighed. It looked like he needed to step in, before the meeting was derailed again. Ultimately, the final draft couldn't be presented to the Fuhrer without his approval, so he had the final say here. His decision would decide the fate of the Luftwaffe. Goring knew that his star was on the decline ever since the Luftwaffe's failure to neutralize the RAF and establish air superiority over Britain. He remembered his boast to the Fuhrer that not a single British bomber would make it past the Luftwaffe. Then, the British just had to bomb Berlin to prove him wrong. Hitler's tirade that day was something he wished to prevent from ever happening again. A successful invasion of Crete and a strong showing by the Luftwaffe would allow him to regain favor with the Fuhrer. Goring had made up his mind. The idea of an airborne invasion of Crete was already ambitious of itself, so he couldn't afford to be too ambitious and make a miscalculation similar to his underestimation of the RAF.
"Lets us get back on track" interrupted Goring, "After careful consideration, I believe the plan proposed by Lohr and Schuster has the best chance of success. You have convinced me that a dispersion of the paratroopers will be fatal to the operation, so I will bring your draft to the Fuhrer as soon as possible. You are all dismissed."
Anyone want to guess the POD?