Crete remains an Allied bomber and logistics base

What if the German invasion of Crete had failed?

Crete could become a major Allied bomber base against Romanian oil, although exploiting it would require a very large logistics effort.

An Allied Crete could host bombers within reach of the Romanian oil fields and threaten a major source of German fuel. Aircraft based there could also protect the island's supply approaches. Sustaining that force would require substantial airfield and port construction, with much of its ammunition arriving by sea around Africa and through the Suez Canal. Personnel and spare parts could transfer between ships at intermediate ports, but avoiding extra handling of bombs favours keeping them aboard their original ammunition ships. Fuel could come from the Middle East. Retaining Crete would also avoid the historical evacuation losses and help support Malta from the east. Italian positions in the Dodecanese would become more exposed, although their garrisons would make some islands difficult to capture. Expanded wartime airfields and ports could later support Crete's development as a regional transport hub.