An Atlantic threat could reshape the Mediterranean war

German fuel support would be difficult, but Britain could not safely assume the breakout was impossible after earlier raider supply operations and Germany's acquisition of Norwegian bases. The possibility of passage near Spanish waters would add another route British planners had to consider. Keeping capital ships and carriers ready in home and Atlantic waters would reduce Royal Navy strength available to support Greece and the wider Mediterranean campaign. One possible result is an earlier British withdrawal, improving Axis access toward Turkey and Middle Eastern oil and giving a threatened Atlantic sortie consequences far beyond commerce raiding.