12 JUNE 1941, Page 13

" CRET E POST-MORTEM "

SIR,—May I comment briefly on the article "Crete Post-mortem " in last week's Spectator? In one breath Strategicus speaks of the solid bastion of Cyprus, in the next he asks whether Cyprus is a solid bastion. Assuring us that all others are mistaken, he gives the "real reeson" and later the " true explanation" of the defeat in Crete. The real reason was not lack of materials but infirmity of purpose: the true explanation was inferiority in machines and men. Finally, the profit and loss account of Crete " incontestably shows that the balance is on our side." The Americans may have a word adequately to describe such writing. I can find none.—Yours faithfully,