The Battle Of Crete began at 7:15 in the morning of 20 May 1941.
Participated 50
Junkers Ju 87
, 90 Messerschmitt Bf 109s, 90 Messerschmitt Bf 110s and 40 reconnaissance aircraft,
530
Junkers Ju 52
transport aircraft and 100 gliders.
8100 Fallschirmjägers (german paratroopers) were dropped on to Crete, 1860 men at Maleme, 2460 men at Hania, 1380 men at Rethymno and 2360 men at Iraclion, being the first mainly airborne invasion in military history.