Intelligence had made airfields an obvious German objective, and the garrison placed formations near them. Maleme deserved exceptional attention because its loss gave the attacker the closest practical base for a transport air bridge. A brigade near each airfield was insufficient if the most important one lacked the concentration and reserve needed to survive the first assault. The airfield's geography called for a stronger local defence than the general distribution of troops provided.
Chapter · 20:30-24:27
Maleme is the airfield that must be held
The defence disperses brigades around several landing grounds, but Maleme offers the invasion's most direct route to reinforcement and needs the strongest local reserve.