True enough LH the Germans did take the island of Crete, primarily by Airborne Forces, they were very lucky, the Allied Command remained convinced that this attack was a feint and did not counter it effectively enough. Axis had air superiority, with the Royal Navy managing to retain control of the waters around Crete for sufficient time to effect the evacuation, at great cost to the fleet. With regard to Malta, Axis naval power was never strong enough, nor determined enough, to carry out the operations required to take the island.

On Crete, German losses were such that, on Hitlers orders, operations of this type were never to be repeated or proposed again. On losses, when Admiral Andrew Cunningham was receiving the loss reports from his Fleet and for pleas to withdraw his ships from the evacuation of the allied troops from Crete, he sent the following signal:

"It takes the Navy three years to build a new ship. It will take three hundred to build a new tradition. The evacuation will continue."

Like Nelson, Cunningham was well known for sending signals. The signal that Cunningham was most well known for was his signal to the Admiralty on the 8th of May 1943:

"Be pleased to inform their Lordships that the Italian Fleet lies at anchor under the guns of the Fortress of Malta."