Beatty is criticised for choosing Seymour as his signals officer when Somerville was available and regarded as particularly capable. Seymour's stronger connections are given as the reason for the choice. The responsibility is placed primarily on Beatty's selection rather than on Seymour pretending to expertise he did not possess. Seymour is described as honest about his limits and willing to try, but a general executive officer unsuited to the specialist appointment. The distinction separates an officer's effort from the commander's responsibility to fill a technical post appropriately.
Notable Point · 2:50:36-2:51:48
Beatty's choice between Seymour and Somerville
The criticism of Beatty centres on selecting social connections over specialist signalling ability.