Narrow Escapes of World War II episode 5: Death-defying tales from WWII. How legendary Major-General Robert ‘Lucky’ Laycock rallied his ill-equipped unit to see off a German attack on Crete. After the German invasion of Crete in May 1941, Winston Churchill orders the 25,000 British and Commonwealth troops stationed there to defend the island at all costs. A force of specially trained commandos under Col. Robert Laycock arrives to sabotage the Germans, but their mission soon changes. 20th May, 1941, German forces attacked the island of Crete in the largest airborne assault ever. This dramatic story of how the island is lost and Robert Laycock’s mission changes into a desperate rear guard action against German mountain troops.
Watch first-hand accounts of Navy veteran’s courageous evacuation and Laycock’s leadership. Handsome, clever and born to lead Major-General Robert Lucky Laycock was Winston Churchill s head of Combined Operations, his most fearsome commando leader and a legend amongst Special Forces. He was also very lucky to survive the war. Along with his brigademajor, the novelist, Evelyn Waugh, he made one of the most remarkable escapes of World War Two, as their ill-equipped unit desperately held off of a mighty German attack on Crete so that 30,000 British soldiers could escape.
Narrow Escapes of World War II tells the real stories of courageous and deadly fights against impossible odds. The extraordinary stories of heroes; men who stand up and fight when everything seems lost. Those brilliant generals, ferocious warriors and individual acts of courage that can turn the tide in a war, and whose stories can still be told as shining examples of bravery and courage. This series combines eyewitness and expert testimony with specially shot material, dramatic reconstruction and archive much of it previously unseen.
Revisit some of the most daring missions of World War II as recounted by leading historians, military experts, and occasionally by the participants themselves. These 13 gripping episodes feature operations that took place all over the world—from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the steppes of southern Russia, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the frozen waters of the Baltic and the skies over Nazi-occupied France. With the benefit of original film footage, informative maps, and dramatic recreations, Narrow Escapes tells stories of valor, suffering, dedication, and determination—exploits of bravery that helped shape the outcome of the Second World War and continue to inspire today.
Narrow Escapes of World War II episode 5
Lucky Laycock’s Escape from Crete is a captivating story that recounts the daring escape of a British officer during World War II. Lucky Laycock, the protagonist of the story, found himself stranded on the island of Crete after the German invasion of Greece in 1941. With the help of the Cretan resistance and the British Special Operations Executive, he managed to evade the enemy forces and make his way to safety.
The story of Lucky Laycock’s Escape from Crete is not only a thrilling adventure but also a testament to the courage and resilience of the human spirit in times of war. The book has gained a cult following among military history enthusiasts and is widely regarded as one of the best memoirs of the Second World War. The book is written in a clear and engaging style, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the rugged landscape of Crete and the intense battles that took place there. Lucky Laycock’s first-hand account of the events is complemented by the author’s extensive research, which provides valuable context and insights into the broader strategic context of the war in the Mediterranean.
The book is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, World War II, or tales of courage and heroism in the face of adversity. It is also a great resource for researchers and historians, as it provides a wealth of primary source material that offers unique insights into the experiences of British soldiers and their allies during the war. Lucky Laycock’s Escape from Crete is a gripping story that offers a fascinating glimpse into one of the lesser-known episodes of World War II. The book is well-written, informative, and highly recommended for anyone looking to learn more about this period of history.
