Force V's escort carriers had to fly within a restricted area shaped partly by mine clearance and the small ships' maneuvering limits. Fleet Air Arm personnel understandably objected to the operating difficulties and pressure those conditions created. Vian accepted the criticism as the force commander's responsibility even though other authorities had set many of the constraints. Authority moved down the chain, while responsibility for failure came back to him.
Notable Point · 1:41:04-1:43:14
Force V friction tested Vian's responsibility to the Fleet Air Arm
Confined waters and difficult aircraft operations generated Fleet Air Arm complaints, but Vian accepted responsibility instead of blaming the limits imposed on his force.