Germany's East Mediterranean policy: 1941 Operation Mercury

In the Second World War, Italy lost the war against Greece. Associated with Italy's failure in axis powers, brought about Germany to become a part of its sovereign established by Balkans. As a political and strategical step, the United Kingdom took its place in this new battle against Germany within its military power on the mainland of Greece. The British forces failed due to the struggle in Greece, and there was no choice to withdraw from Crete. On May 20, 1941, Germany launched an operation known as Operation Mercury to rule the Eastern Mediterranean to get a military base for its next operations. The United Kingdom had enough time to protect its interests in North Africa and the Middle East. German paratroopers captured an airport on the island and became more powerful with new reinforcements as days pass. While time was running out on Crete Island, English once more faced the inevitable retreating scenario. At that time, the United Kingdom was not as lucky as in Greece, England lost thousands of soldiers in Crete. It was understood that resist a powerful country such as Germany without any air support was a gamble.