Political support from Churchill, in this assessment, accelerated Mountbatten's promotion faster than his experience at sea developed. His captaincy of HMS Illustrious came during a repair period, and he moved to Combined Operations in October 1941. He then advanced through Southeast Asia Command and the viceroyalty of India before becoming First Sea Lord. The criticism concerns the command experience those appointments bypassed. His ability as a flotilla commander could have developed further with more time in commands appropriate to his rank before he reached the highest naval appointments.
Notable Point · 28:04-32:18
Mountbatten's promotion outpaced his experience at sea
Mountbatten's progression from flotilla captain to political and joint commands raises a criticism of how little senior experience at sea preceded his appointment as First Sea Lord.