The theatre's command problem was larger than any single shortage of ships or aircraft. One senior structure had to coordinate naval, army, and air-force demands while watching Italy, the Middle East, and Japan across immense distances. Dividing responsibility near the centre of the Indian Ocean would have given a Far East commander an explicit focus on Japan. Nominal unity of command could still produce divided attention and forces spread too thinly.
Notable Point · 41:41-42:32
Why one command could not face west and east at once
The joint command had to manage Italian East Africa and Middle Eastern operations while preparing for Japan, leaving the Indian Ocean's eastern and western problems without enough focused leadership.