Whilst we plebs don't know what goes on in the corridors of power- was all this communicated to the politicians?
No. Never. The troops on the ground know full well that the job cant be done, and the Juniors tell the Seniors that they may be trouble ahead. The seniors say dont worry, we will get help. The Seniors then tell their stars that the job can go ahead with a little bit of "in house" moving around. The stars tell the politicians it is all in hand and that there is only minor details to sort out.
The problems diminish the higher up the structure they go because nobody wants to be a failure.
Result - Politicians are none the wiser for SAC Bloggs having to do back to back tours because there is no cover.