Before the German invasion of Crete began in May 1941, 151 (London) Battery was deployed with one Troop at the naval base of Suda and the other at the airbase at Maleme. The bases had been regularly dive-bombed in March and April, and the HAA guns at Suda had to be reorganised for close defence against these tactics. In May the "Luftwaffe" began attacking the AA sites directly. When the German airborne assault began on 20 May, some of the paratroopers were specifically tasked with knocking out the AA defences. The troop of 151 Bty at Suda had two 3.7-inch guns knocked out by mortars and the gun detachments were caught up in firefights and overrun. Although German casualties in men and aircraft had been heavy, more than half the AA guns at Maleme were knocked out, and the following day German troop transports were able to use the airfield. On 26 May the Allied forces were ordered to retreat, the remaining AA positions were ordered to destroy their equipment and move by small boats or cross-country for evacuation from the south coast of the island. Many could not be evacuated and became prisoners of war. 151 (London) Battery was so reduced that shortly after the survivors reached Egypt GHQ Middle East ordered its disbandment, which was carried out on 1 July.