We used Rapid Fire rules with 20mm figures on a sand table.

 The battlefield is prepared. The hilly areas--that is, most of the table--were rough ground that was not suitable for parachute landings. The airfield (black strip in center right) and an open coastal plain to the west of it (above it in this picture) were the only sure sites for the Germans to land. A few unlucky Falschirmjagers landed in the water.

A flurry of small paper squares represented the landing locations of individual German Falschirmjager stands. The airfield itself was a prime landing location; two Falschirmjager battalions landed on it or beside it. They immediately came under fire from Allied troops in the buildings and in prepared trenches overlooking the landing strip.

Commonwealth troops (I can't remember if they represented British or New Zealanders) firmly hold a bridge and building east of the airfield. The Germans started taking heavy fire from this area.

A battalion of Australian infantry opened fire one battalion of Germans as they parachuted in onto clear ground. Bren carriers added to their misery.

The Germans on the airfield hastily threw disorganized units together and rushed some of the nearby trenches in a bayonet charge. They eventually captured this trenchline.

The first all-out German assault on the airfield building occupied by New Zealanders. This is the "before" picture; the "after" picture would see only a couple of German figures left standing. The Falschirmjager were sitting ducks for accurate Commonwealth rifle and MG fire.

Beside the building a trenchline is assaulted to pry out the Allied defenders. These were cleared with more losses.

The unfortunate Falshirmjager battalion that landed near the building and bridge was shot to pieces by small arms and light AA fire. Captured Italian AA guns shredded anything that came into range, and the German battalion lost its 75mm infantry gun.

A line of Greek infantry (with donkey) took potshots at the Germans throughout the battle.

The Greeks move in on the airfield near the end of the battle. At this point they did not dare come too close because the Falschirmjager battalion on the runway had organized just enough to get MGs into action.

The Australians in the cover of an orchard maintain a steady fire on the western-most Falschirmjagers. After suffering small arms casualties, and losses from Stuka dive-bombing attacks, some of the Australians had had enough.

As the battle drew to a close, the Germans put an end to all resistance within small arms range of the runway. A substantial weapons pit has been taken, but brave Commonwealth troops still hold out in the building, despite being shelled by a German 80mm mortar that finally came online.

The middle Falschirmjager battalion has consolidated its hold on the runway, beside the arms cannisters that dropped separately from the men. The Germans have a couple of MGs and a mortar set up, but cannot afford to move any closer to the enemy for fear of being picked off one by one.

The German battalion mauled by the Australians fell back to the ditch just west of the Maleme airfield. An abandoned Italian artillery piece sits idly overlooking the runway. Its crew was wiped out early by sporadic attacks from the Germans.

The battle ended with the Germans in bare possesion of the airfield itself, but hemmed in on all sides by Commonwealth troops. Neither side could afford to get within small arms range of the other!