Henderson's lost wartime leadership and joint-service politics

Henderson died in 1940, before wartime results could secure his place in many postwar accounts. Andrew Cunningham regarded him as a prospective Mediterranean successor and remained in command longer because no equally suitable replacement was available. Mediterranean command required political skill with the Army, RAF, and government as well as fleet tactics. Henderson had already shown that skill by making an engineering case for naval control of the Fleet Air Arm. He also secured HMS Unicorn by presenting the carrier as the mobile support ship required for distant operations.