Two Illustrious-class carriers could remain in the Mediterranean after Eagle moved east with the Queen Elizabeths. Holding Crete would reduce the work those carriers had to perform by providing land bases for air operations. Crete had organizational problems, but time could allow Britain to address them and develop its airfields. Its size offered more space than Malta or Gibraltar for long-range strikes and other air operations. A force of three Queen Elizabeth-class ships and a carrier east of Suez would also require an admiral rather than being left under a rear admiral or vice admiral in this scenario. That would change the command arrangements under which the later Far Eastern fleet developed.
Notable Point · 49:30-50:58
Crete's airfields ease carrier demands and support a larger eastern fleet
Holding Crete could reduce pressure on British carriers while a battleship-and-carrier force east of Suez requires a more senior command.