Battle of 42nd Street

The Battle of 42nd Street, was a battle during World War II on the Greek island of Crete. After Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the codename Unternehmen Merkur ("Operation Mercury"), the German forces were bayonet charged by a rearguard of retreating Australian and New Zealand forces south-east of Canea.

Background
Canea, a town on the north coast of Crete, was important to the military defense of Crete.

British and Commonwealth forces had been forced out of Greece by the Germans and had retreated to Crete. While there were between 27,000–28,000 troops in Crete to defend it, most were only lightly armed because the heavier equipment had been left in Greece. Although the Germans were able to dominate the skies, the British Royal Navy had control of the sea. The German plan was to use paratroopers and gliders to send forces down by air.

Geography
The unsealed road ran from Hania to Tsikslaria lined with olive trees running south from the main coastal road from Hania to Souda bay. The road was lower than the surrounding land and had a raised embankment on its western side. The road was nicknamed after the 42nd Field Company of the Royal Engineers, however known locally as Tsikalarion Road.

Before the battle
The weakened Australian 2/7th and 2/8th Battalions, supported by the New Zealand 21st, 28th, 19th, 22nd and 23rd Battalions, took up positions along 42nd Street. The Anzac units were manned at less than 50 percent of their normal strength.

The offensive
The 1st Battalion of the 141st Gebirgsjager Regiment were seen approaching 42nd Street. C and D companies of the Australian 2/7th Battalion charged the Germans, on their flank. The New Zealand 28th (Maori) Battalion also joined in the charge, followed by the other battalions. The charge resulted in the Germans retreating over 1500 metres. Over 280 Germans and four Australians died during the charge.

Aftermath
That afternoon, German forces were seen moving to the south-west on the flanks of the mountains trying to encircle the Anzacs. The Anzac troops withdrew joining the columns retreating south.