Where Henderson might have served after leaving the Admiralty

Before the war, Henderson's construction, intelligence, diplomatic, and political experience pointed naturally toward China Station, where Japan was the most immediate armed threat. Wartime demands opened other possibilities, including a powerful independent force like Force H, while Somerville could instead be assigned to radar or another technical command. The usual sequence placed major fleet command before elevation to First Sea Lord, but wartime vacancies left Cunningham and other commanders as possible intermediaries or successors. These appointments remain conditional because any change in senior leadership would alter the normal progression through major commander-in-chief posts.