Crete functioned as an unsinkable aircraft carrier for Mediterranean operations, while Ark Royal's loss removed the third large British fleet carrier sunk in the war. Losing the island made the Mediterranean Fleet more dependent on scarce carrier aviation. The counterfactual argument links that demand to the lack of carrier support for Prince of Wales and Repulse in the Far East. Keeping Ark Royal could have released Formidable or Victorious for that assignment, while Illustrious was in major refit. Ark Royal herself is considered a less likely choice because of her usefulness elsewhere. Retaining Crete would also have allowed limited Mediterranean operations with reduced or absent carrier support, using land-based aviation on both sides of the sea to intercept German strikes. That arrangement is judged viable for a limited period, with less freedom of action than full carrier support.
Chapter · 3:09-5:51
Crete and Ark Royal constrained carrier support for Force Z
Losing Crete as an air base and Ark Royal as a fleet carrier made it harder to cover both the Mediterranean and the Far East with naval aviation.