In this sequel to Book XV, The War That Never Was, Col. John Randal reflects on Leros.
Leros was a catastrophe. The Germans invaded, overran and captured the island leaving Castelrozzo (ABC) as the last one still in Allied hands. The Luftwaffe now has air superiority over the entire Aegean Theatre of Operations. Neither the U.S. nor Royal Navy will risk capital ships in the AO due to the threat posed by enemy air. The Long Range Desert Group has been reduced to approximately fifty patrolmen. The fabled reconnaissance unit is now attached to Raiding Forces as is the Small Boat Service which also suffered heavy causalities. Middle East Headquarters is paralyzed by the extent of the debacle caused by their bad command decisions which resulted in a total defeat of British Forces in the theatre. On ABC, Col. John Randal sees opportunity. Raiding Forces goes over to the attack.