Rapid imperial expansion had produced impressive-looking positions without comparable logistical depth. British planners could contain isolated Italian forces until their fuel, spare parts, and ammunition ran out. This approach avoided costly assaults against garrisons that would consume their remaining strength on their own. Supply exhaustion, more than British combat action, made the Red Sea flotilla ineffective within months.
Notable Point · 7:46-9:55
Italian East Africa's logistics were only an inch deep
British planners could often wait for isolated Italian forces to exhaust their supplies instead of paying to defeat them immediately.