The German air force in the Middle East and Mediterranean in 1941

In January 1941, Fliegerkorps X had been sent to Sicily to operate against Malta and shipping in the Mediterranean Sea. They were the specialist unit for martime operations, and had taken part in the Norway campaign, later in 1940. Fliegerkorps X was only peripherally involved with Greece and Crete. They were mostly the province of Fliegerkorps VIII and XI, from the Balkans. After the capture of Crete, Fliegerkorps X was left. They had between 400 and 450 aircraft. Their serviceable aircraft often was as low as 250 at any point in time. The point was made that Fliegerkorps X and Rommel's army were just detachments and were not intended to absorb a lot of resources that were needed elsewhere. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.