Valentines and vanguards in Crete

But compared to OTL isn't even 35 extra fighters on working bases a great improvement? (what did they have in OTL a few hastily evacuated fighter/bombers (33 total?)) and a few FAA fullmars?)
The FAA had a squadron of Buffaloes on Crete.
 
Caught on the ground before the invasion mostly, like the rest of Crete's aircraft. All Crete's surviving aircraft had been withdrawn before the invasion. Without radar warning they were unable to defend their own airfields let alone the rest of the island.

Brewster_Buffalo_wreck_and_Junkers_Ju_52_on_Crete_1941.jpg
 
Caught on the ground before the invasion mostly, like the rest of Crete's aircraft. All Crete's surviving aircraft had been withdrawn before the invasion. Without radar warning they were unable to defend their own airfields let alone the rest of the island.

Brewster_Buffalo_wreck_and_Junkers_Ju_52_on_Crete_1941.jpg


No wonder I had not heard about them! Ta
 

Errolwi

Monthly Donor
This scenario takes place in my APC thread special 'tanks' go to @Cryhavoc101for it.

After Dunkirk and the subsequent months, the British military makes the decision to fortify Crete with tanks and aircraft. But due problems and delays this proves to be a slow process. By the time fall of Greece and subsequent evacuation of the BEF. The defence stands at
one Australian regiment
one mechanized British regiment (Vanguard II)
35 RAF hurricane fighters
50 tanks a mix of A10 and the new Valentine Infantry tanks.

Note: in this scenario the Valentine came much earlier.

How does the battle of Crete go?
How much effort will the Germans put into conquering Crete?
If Crete doesn't fall what effect does it have in the whole Mediterranean/north African campaign and the British war effort?

If these are still on Crete, and the invasion still happens (the Axis wouldn't have gone OTL if they had known what was actually there), then the presence of reliable radio communications to the airfields will be a major improvement for the defence, regardless of their direct fighting ability.
 
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