Answer: The phrase "a loss would not be grave" means that if something is lost, it wouldn't be a significant or serious problem. It suggests that the consequences of the loss would not be severe and could be easily managed or overcome. The term "grave" typically refers to something that is serious, critical, or dangerous, so the phrase indicates that the loss is not considered to be significant or life-threatening.
Explanation: The phrase "a loss would not be grave" means that a defeat or failure would not have serious consequences or implications. In the given context, the lack of air defense on the part of the allied forces made them vulnerable to attack and resulted in severe losses, including the loss of the main airfield on the island of Crete to the German forces. Therefore, a loss in this situation would not be considered trivial or insignificant as it would have significant impact and potentially change the outcome of the battle.