A larger Axis landing would give the Royal Navy a tempting fixed target after Taranto and Cape Matapan. Cunningham could assemble cruisers, destroyers, submarines, HMS Formidable, and the modernized battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Valiant. Advance warning might also keep Formidable available instead of exposing her to the 26 May raid that historically left her damaged. Cunningham could exploit British night-fighting advantages while Crete's forts endured daylight attacks. He might wait until the troop convoy was committed, using air reconnaissance to track it before striking in darkness. Destroying the invasion convoy or the covering Italian fleet could change the balance of the Mediterranean far beyond the island itself.
Chapter · 44:04-50:34
The invasion becomes a Mediterranean fleet battle
Advance warning could let Cunningham turn the assault into a night battle against transports and the Italian fleet.