The Big Wing is criticized for taking too long to assemble when an interception needed an immediate response. Paul suggests that larger formations were more suitable for later operations over France, but Daniel challenges the value of those sweeps as well. His objection is their cost in aircraft that could have supported the Mediterranean and Middle East. Crete supplies the concrete counterfactual: additional Spitfires there could have opposed the German airborne assault. The disagreement concerns both how quickly fighters can be concentrated and whether the chosen theater justifies the losses.
Notable Point · 5:10:19-5:12:27
The Big Wing's formation time and the cost of sweeps over France
A disagreement over later fighter sweeps connects Big Wing formation delays with the opportunity cost of keeping aircraft over France.