Crete had troops in several places, but its road network and vehicle pool did not let commanders mass them quickly. A reliable military road between Sphakia and the north coast would also have supported resupply from Egypt. The island had been occupied for months, making the absence of that preparation especially consequential. Roads and vehicles determine whether available manpower can become operationally mobile.
Notable Point · 7:48-9:14
Transport and roads deny the defenders mobility
Poor roads and too little motor transport prevent the British from shifting a counterattack to the threatened sector, whatever the nominal troop count.