British commitments across the Middle East also disrupted command continuity on Crete. Wilson had just reviewed the island's needs, but was sent to Palestine amid the Iraq crisis and German activity in Syria. Freyberg then inherited Crete without the staff of his New Zealand division, while Weston's naval-base organization could not simply be detached from its existing duties. Strategic overstretch disrupted continuity just when the defence needed settled command arrangements.
Notable Point · 15:55-17:31
Iraq and Syria pull an experienced commander away
General Wilson is diverted to crises in Iraq and Syria, leaving the newly arrived Freyberg in command even though Weston has greater local knowledge and an established staff.