The German Commander was allowed to select from 0 to 50 victory points (vp) worth of campaign options from their respective lists, shown below. The German vp total - but not the options selected - was then communicated to the Commonwealth Commander. The CW Commander could select options whose combined vp were equal to or less than that of the Germans.
The options that were actually selected by each side for the campaign are *highlighted below. The Germans chose their full allotment of 50 vp worth of options, and then the Commonwealth selected 48 vp worth.
German Options
The German commander may spend a number of Victory Points (vp) to buy up to three (3) of the following options:
*Better German Tactical Recon (15 vp) - The German player can vary the historical drop zone for each parachute of glider unit by up to 2 km.
Italian Fleet (10 vp) - At any time the German player can declare that the Italian fleet has left port. The Allied player must increase his naval garrison in the East Ionian Sea for 24 hours after the German declaration.
Italian Rhodes Convoy (10 vp) - This convoy was actually dispatched to Crete and it successfully landed on 28 May, although at an unimportant location. It could instead have landed much closer to the land battle. The Germans receive the convoy and the following three Italian ground units: I/9 and II/10 Regina battalions and the 312th Armored Company. They begin at Rodi and are available at the start of the campaign.
Italian Marines (5 vp) - An imaginative Italian effort would have the bulk of one of the efficient Italian marine battalions flown to Rhodes for fast transport to Crete. Receive the San Marco marines at Rodi during the morning of 22 May. It can be carried to Crete by the MAS naval flotilla.
Extra German Air Effort (10 vp) - More German air units could have participated in the campaign from the start. The German player receives extra Stuka and Ju-88 units in addition to his at start forces.
*Better Airfield Maintenance (5 vp) - The Germans had a major problem with airfields in Greece; most were just open dusty farmlands, entirely without developed facilities. Earlier planning and effort and a bit of luck might have alleviated these problems and poor maintenance. There are four German units that arrived late historically; with this option, they arrive as scheduled with their parent battalions. These are: 4/I/1, 5/II/2, 6/II/2 and 8/II/3. With this option, the German also receives the 3/7 Pioneer as part of the First Wave instead of as part of Light Convoy #1. Note that this greatly reduces the German parachute reserve.
*2nd Fallschirmjäger Regiment (30 vp) - The 2nd FJ Regiment was part of Gruppe "Mitte" (Middle), under command of the division commander, Gen. Süssmann. If he had not died en route and had landed with an intact radio, he might have quickly decided that British resistance was far greater than expected and accordingly have changed the orders for the Second Wave, or at least his part of it. The Germans can re-direct, at their option, the entire force indicated for Retimo Sector to Maleme/Suda Sector instead. It must be targeted to any of the original 3rd Regiment drop zones. It still lands as part of the Second Wave. Option #6 above must be chosen with this option (since only with better airfields could such a redirection be accomplished).
Greek Army is Pro-German (30 vp) - German intelligence attributed pro-Axis sentiments to the Cretans and many Greeks in general, in part due to the liberal surrender policy as followed on the mainland during the April invasion. In reality, the Greeks merely hated the Italians more than the Germans, and could not see how they could stop the Germans, at any rate. Still, continued liberal policies on the mainland might have give more Greeks pause for thought. With this option, all Greek Army units are, at worst, neutral during the first 24 hours of the invasion. German and Allied behavior toward the Greeks once the invasion begins will determine Greek attitudes thereafter.
Commonwealth Options
The Commonwealth commander may spend a number of Victory Points (vp) less than or equal to that spent by the German commander to buy any number of the following options:
Allied Reinforcements - More Allied units could have arrived on Crete before the invasion. The Allied player picks just one of the groups below. All units in that group are placed within 10 km of either Heraklion or Suda ports.
*Allied Heavy Tanks (5 vp) - On 12 May, Churchill offered twelve more heavy infantry tanks out of the "Tiger" Convoy then passing through the Mediterranean. Historically, these were wasted in front of Rommel's anti-tank guns a month later, but on Crete they might have been decisive. Double the number of Matilda II "I" tanks.
More Allied Equipment - Allied forces on Crete were critically short of even the most rudimentary field equipment, such as radios, shovels, barbed wire and light vehicles. This option redresses these shortages. The Allied player may choose any of the following options:
*5 vp: Allied engineers can now build improved positions. 5 vp: More efficient HQ's and communication.
3 vp: Motorisation - trucks are now available to motorise an additional two infantry battalions
Australian Artillery (35 vp) - In reserve in Egypt were some sixty 25-pounder artillery pieces. If these had been sent to Crete in place of the 75mm artillery pieces actually sent, the Allied defenses might have been impervious to any attack plan. The following units are removed: 27th NZ Field Regt, 28th NZ Field Regt, 234th Medium Regt, 5th Aus Field Regt and 6th Aus Field Regt. In their place substitute six regiments of 25-pounders, two each in Maleme/Suda, Retimo and Heraklion Sectors.
*Royal Navy (8 vp) - All Allied naval units (except the 22 May reinforcements) and the Coastal Steamer are available at the start of the campaign.
*Greeks Better Armed (5 vp) - Allied command provides more arms for Greek infantry units. The following units will experience a significant increase in combat efficiency: Heraklion Garrison, C Bn/1st Greek Regt, A Bn/4th Greek Regt, A Bn/5th Greek Regt and A Bn/6th Greek Regt.
Allied Redeployment - Pick any one group below. Each unit in that group can be repositioned anywhere on the map.
*25 vp: From Retimo: 2/1 Aus Bn and 2/11 Aus Bn 25 vp: From Heraklion: 2/4 Aus Bn and 2nd Leicesters Bn
20 vp: From Suda Bay Area: 1st Welch Bn and 1st Ranger Bn
25 vp: From Maleme: 28th (Maori) Bn and 1st Greek Regiment
