Answer: "The next-to-last step on their way to Suez" is a phrase that typically refers to a situation in which someone or something is very close to achieving a particular goal or destination, with only one more step remaining before reaching that goal or destination. The phrase "next-to-last" implies that there is only one step remaining after this one before the final destination is reached.
The phrase may have originally referred to the Suez Canal, which is an important waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, and which was a major focus of international attention and competition in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In this context, the phrase might be used to describe a group or nation that had almost completed their journey to control or influence the canal, with only one more significant action required to achieve their goal.
Overall, the phrase "the next-to-last step on their way to Suez" can be understood to mean that someone or something is very close to accomplishing their objective, with only one more significant effort or action needed to complete the journey or achieve the goal.
Explanation: In this context, "the next-to-last step on their way to Suez" refers to the German forces' invasion of Crete during World War II. The phrase suggests that the Germans saw the capture of Crete as a critical step towards their ultimate goal of reaching and potentially controlling the Suez Canal, a major strategic target in the Mediterranean.
The phrase "next-to-last step" suggests that the German forces believed that they were very close to achieving their ultimate goal, with only one more significant step remaining before reaching Suez. By capturing Crete, the Germans gained a strategic foothold in the eastern Mediterranean and were in a better position to launch further offensives towards the Suez Canal.
Overall, the phrase "the next-to-last step on their way to Suez" in this context suggests that the German forces believed that they were on the verge of achieving a significant strategic victory, with the capture of Crete bringing them closer to their ultimate goal of controlling the Suez Canal.