Crete and the Three Levels of War

With the passage of time, the U.S. Army has come to realize that the operational level of war provides the linkage between the strategic and tactical levels of war. With this recognition, also comes the realization that tactical levels of war. With this recognition, also comes the realization that tactical success often requires a well thought-out strategy and clearly defined operational objectives. This study seeks to examine the battle of Crete with the three levels of war. It explores how the out numbered German Airborne forces were able to defeat the vastly numerically superior Commonwealth forces. Furthermore, the study examines how senior and junior leaders making battlefield, tactical decisions can transcend the separation between the tactical and operational levels of war. Keywords World War 2.