The naval war manual included independent operations, sea control, and minesweeping among destroyers' strategic functions. Britain's worldwide commitments could spread even a very large navy across several theatres. A deployed force in the Far East, for example, could be locally weaker than its opponent for a time. Smaller forces therefore needed to seize the initiative and set the pace of operations. Psychological dominance and the demonstrated ability to use the sea were part of that approach.
Notable Point · 46:45-48:19
Global commitments make local destroyer dominance essential
Worldwide commitments could leave British forces locally outnumbered, making initiative and the ability to use the sea central to destroyer doctrine.