Destroyer service gave officers experience of commanding several ships earlier than many other naval careers. Cunningham and Somerville appear among the senior commanders with destroyer experience, although Somerville was also a signals specialist. A captain who had led a nine-ship flotilla already knew how to coordinate units and run a small staff. In wartime, that experience made such an officer easier to move into a larger command than a captain who had only commanded individual cruisers. This helps explain why destroyer officers were prominent in Royal Navy senior leadership during World War II and into the Cold War.
Notable Point · 5:28-6:48
Destroyer flotillas gave future admirals early command experience
Flotilla command prepared officers to coordinate multiple ships and staffs before they reached the Navy's senior ranks.