Alex proposes Lyster as an alternative commander for the Indian Ocean carrier force because of his naval aviation standing and experience at Taranto. His work as Fifth Sea Lord also made him important to the expansion of the Fleet Air Arm. His later use for Operation Pedestal prompts a question about why he could not have been released earlier, but that operation had a more organized run-up. The choice of admiral was only part of the problem. Losing Courageous and Glorious had also removed the third deck that could have supplied the intended strike-carrier component.
Notable Point · 25:48-27:34
Lyster's carrier expertise and Admiralty responsibilities
Lyster illustrates the competition between operational carrier command and the Admiralty work needed to expand naval aviation.