NEWS OF THE WEEK
A S the epic struggle in Crete sways on through its second Week the almost insuperable handicap imposed on the defenders by the lack of fighter-planes (apart from a few long- distance machines making brief appearances) makes itself increasingly felt. It is true that the enemy is equally deprived of effective naval support, but in this case mastery of the air is more important. In the western part of the island the Germans have made important progress, and their claim to have captured Canea is no doubt accurate. Airborne troops continue to arrive, and nothing is likely to stop the flow except a complete recapture of the island by the British and Greek forces. Events are not moving in that direction at present, but Mr. Churchill spoke of a battle to the death for Crete, and it is on that basis that the fight is being carried on. The one hopeful feature, apart from the magnificent resistance which General Freyberg's original force is putting up, is the arrival of British reinforce- ments. Mr. Churchill briefly mentioned that in the House of Commons on Monday. Correspondents in Egypt have since spoken more specifically of " British units comprising the most highly trained guerilla fighters in the Middle East " having arrived in Crete. But it has to be recognised that on the tenth day of the battle of Crete the position at Canea is bad, that at Heraclion not good, and only that at Rethymno satisfactory. New German activity in Libya synchronises with the attack on Crete, and Sollum and Halfaya pass have been recaptured by the enemy. This is not necessarily an event of consequence. It may, on the other hand, be the beginning of a new offensive an important scale. Tobruk still holds firm.
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