The Brutal Fight for Hill 107

Join Robert Kershaw at this year’s Chelsea History Festival as he sheds light on the Battle of Crete and the pivotal action at Hill 107 during the Second World War.

The Second World War saw its fair share of ambitious operations. One such manoeuvre was the German attempt to capture the strategically vital island of Crete by air. Nobody in history had ever successfully conquered a strategic objective from the air alone. Remarkably, it has never been done since.

What transpired was a nine-day campaign in the summer of 1941 to seize the island. At the heart of this was a three-day struggle for the high ground of Hill 107, its ragged crest casting a shadow over the airfield, possession of which would determine whether reinforcements could be flown in. Without these, the German paratroopers - their numbers already decimated by ferocious defensive fire - would not be able to hold out.

In this thrilling talk, Robert Kershaw will bring the three-day battle vividly to life, using original post-combat reports, letters and diaries to highlight this daring operation. 

About the speaker

Robert Kershaw

A graduate of Reading University, Robert Kershaw joined the Parachute Regiment, where he would eventually command the 10th Battalion. He attended the German Staff College, spending a further two years with the Bundeswehr as an infantry, airborne and arctic warfare instructor.

His active service included several tours in Northern Ireland, the Gulf War and Bosnia. On leaving the British Army in 2006, he became a full-time author of military history. He has been interviewed for numerous TV documentaries, written 15 books and contributed articles to ‘The Times’, ‘The Sunday Times’, the ‘Sunday Telegraph’ and the ‘Daily Telegraph’.

About the Chelsea History Festival

Founded in 2019, the Chelsea History Festival aims to entertain, educate and inspire through local, national and global history.

This year's festival is delivered by the newly launched Chelsea Heritage Quarter, a collaboration between the National Army Museum, Chelsea Physic Garden, the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Cadogan.

Visit the new Chelsea Heritage Quarter website for full event listings and to book online.