Andrew Cunningham combined 49 years of professional experience with an unusual ability to manage relations with the army and air force. The evacuation of Greece, the fighting around Crete, Taranto, and Matapan all demanded choices that put valuable ships at risk. Cunningham accepted that a war could not be won simply by preserving the fleet, while his political skill made difficult joint operations possible. His postwar tenure as First Sea Lord was comparatively brief because he felt exhausted after the war.
Chapter · 5:40-7:49
Andrew Cunningham and calculated operational risk
Cunningham's Mediterranean command shows how coalition politics and a willingness to risk ships supported decisive naval operations.