The Indian Ocean campaign did not require the mass armies seen in larger land wars. Britain needed only enough strength to dominate the limited opposition actually present. A credible Dutch squadron would have transformed the calculation by threatening transports, escorts, and landing sites. Instead Dutch ships never appear as a fighting force in the campaign. Their absence is as important as the British ships that do appear, because uncontested sea control let a modest expedition operate across Ceylon's coast.
Notable Point · 1:52:18-1:52:55
The missing Dutch squadron
The campaign's small numbers were enough because no Dutch fighting squadron existed in theatre to contest British movement or landing operations.