Pantelleria greatly improves British air power in the central Med, not to mention Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, all are far more important than the minor benefits of the Dodecanese, especially since only Churchill thought Turkey felt any need to attack Hitler.
Victory fever can be a concern but British military professionals will understand that action depends on what they have to land in an area and reinforce those landings.
One reason Hitler sent Rommel OTL was because if Libya fell he noted that the British would have a much improved situation and a dozen or so divisions freed for further use. Obviously he didn't think the British could invade France but was thinking of places like Sicily as easy prey to a force that size. Further, beyond just how shaky Italy would become if Sicily or Sardinia(or both!) fell, the advantage for RAF Bomber Command and easy use of the Med by the British would additional benefits.
I forget just how much merchant tonnage was freed up once the British could stop using the long route around South Africa but it was massive.
Victory fever can be a concern but British military professionals will understand that action depends on what they have to land in an area and reinforce those landings.
One reason Hitler sent Rommel OTL was because if Libya fell he noted that the British would have a much improved situation and a dozen or so divisions freed for further use. Obviously he didn't think the British could invade France but was thinking of places like Sicily as easy prey to a force that size. Further, beyond just how shaky Italy would become if Sicily or Sardinia(or both!) fell, the advantage for RAF Bomber Command and easy use of the Med by the British would additional benefits.
I forget just how much merchant tonnage was freed up once the British could stop using the long route around South Africa but it was massive.