New Zealand Infantryman vs German Motorcycle Soldier: Greece and Crete 1941 (Combat)

In 1940, soldiers of the 2nd New Zealand Division encountered their German counterparts for the first time in northern Greece. New Zealand infantrymen battled German Motorcycle troops in the mountains, and then again on the Greek Island of Crete. Those encounters are the subject of this Osprey Combat Series book by David Greentree."New Zealand Infantryman versus German Motorcycle Soldier" introduces the two forces and their weaponry, equipment and training prior to combat. The book covers three battles in some detail, two in Greece and one on Crete. The accounts are extremely detailed and nicely supported by diagrams, maps, contemporary photographs and modern illustrations. The author's concluding analysis makes clear how the outcome of the combats hinged on proper training, leadership, and equipment. The book as a whole is another indictment of the poor Allied planning for the Greek intervention.This is a fascinating book, providing a surprising level of detail on a campaign that has been well-covered in other books. German creativity in the use of its unique motorcycle units found a worthy opponent in the New Zealand infantry units it faced in the mountains of Greece and the hills of Crete. Well recommended.

It is interesting to see how equipment and vehicles changed as the war progressed. The motorcycle worked well in western Europe, but as the terrain became rougher and the roads poorer, the motorcycle unit was abandoned as a formation and recon and mobile infantry moved to trucks. The New Zealand infantry and the Maori battalions in particular have an interesting social dynamic.

Good book

The osprey titles work for me if they break new ground and this is one that does. The NZ role in the Greek campaign is little known and this volume provides considerable detail. The Crete battle fascinates me and any new title which gives fresh information is welcome

An excellent book covering Greece (1940) & Crete (1941) campaigns.It descibes in detail several low-level actions on these fronts involving New Zealand infantry and the German Motorcycle units.Includes photos not seen in other war books.Thoroughly recommended.

good narrative compact and full of useful information for wargamers

very good

very good