The intended defence would have combined coherent W Force units, naval-base personnel, Greek allies, and existing formations. Instead, the island received portions of units and specialists separated from their equipment. Artillerymen and anti-aircraft gunners were used without their normal weapons, while the available captured guns formed only a thin substitute. Manpower totals concealed how little of the intended firepower actually reached Crete.
Notable Point · 41:42-43:18
A piecemeal garrison lacks its intended firepower
The force envisioned for Crete was never assembled; it is replaced by fragments of units, artillerymen without guns, and a thin collection of captured artillery.