Destroyer service, rather than battleship service, links many officers who rose to senior Royal Navy command. Leading a flotilla required an officer to coordinate several fast ships as a tactical group relatively early in a career. Success offered evidence that the officer could handle the larger responsibilities expected of an admiral, while poor performance could halt that path. Destroyer appointments therefore help explain why wartime leaders had broad experience with small ships and formation command.
Notable Point · 31:11-32:25
Destroyer flotillas trained future fleet commanders
Interwar destroyer commands gave officers an early test of task-group coordination and help explain the breadth of later admirals' experience.