Nazi Victory Crete 1941 Author:David Thomas When German paratroops dropped on Crete in 1941, it was the first and only time in the history of warfare that an island was conquered from the air. but the Battle of Crete was a far greater triumph for the Nazis than most Americans know: three British cruisers and eight destroyers were sunk. The aircraft carrier Formidable was so badly damaged ... more »it was taken out of service. So were five cruisers and seven destroyers. Fully half the battleship strength of the Mediterranean Fleet was crippled. And two thousand sailors of the Royal Navy were killed. David Thomas's skill at unraveling military actions gives us for the first time an understanding of the significance of this crucial battle of World War II.« less