Not as bad as the air cover for the defence of Crete in May 1941. The RAF had (in theory) 12 Gladiators, 6 Hurricanes and 12 Blenheim F1s. The Luftwaffe fielded Luftflotte IV with 248 fighters, 264 Bombers, and 392 Stukas which supported XI Fleigerkorps with 530 Ju52 and 69 gliders. Needless to say, the Luftwaffe controlled the skies and sank many warships that had run out of AAA ammunition.
The army recommended the RN not to risk more ships for the evacuation of Allied forces. Adm A.B. Cunningham in charge of the Mediterranean fleet answered: "It takes 3 years to build a ship - it takes 300 years to build a tradition. We will go". Over 10,000 troops were evacuated back to Alexandria as a result (and more ships went to the bottom). Talk about leadership!!!!