Video: 'World War II: The Battle of Crete - Full Documentary'

(Sunday, June 1, 1941; during the Battle of Crete, part of the Battle of Greece and the Mediterranean theatre, during World War II) — The Battle of Crete, fought on the Greek island of Crete, ended today when the the last 5.000 Allied soldiers at Sfakia surrendered to the Germans.

The Royal Navy had managed to get some 18,000 troops of the commonwealth out before the pocket finally closed today, marking an end to the fighting on Crete.

Video: 'The World At War: Alone (May 1940 – May 1941)' (Crete invasion at 48:12)

Although the Allies originally had the advantage of strength and numbers, poor troop displacement and communications had swung that advantage to the Germans in the crucial early phase of the battle, which began on May 20, 1941.

The Allies suffered around 6,000 casualties in the fighting, but twice that number of men were taken prisoner.