The account follows the German landing route near the riverbed and the breakdown of contact between forward companies and headquarters. Believing his force cut off, the battalion commander orders a withdrawal from Hill 107. The delayed counterattack then goes forward without the heavy support needed to recover the position. Losing that high ground removes the defender's ability to control the airfield below and turns a local communications failure into an operational breakthrough.
Chapter · 30:34-32:45
The withdrawal from Hill 107 opens Maleme
German troops exploit the dry riverbed and sever communications, leading a New Zealand battalion commander to abandon the height that dominates Maleme airfield.