Night competence required risky practical training

Night fighting was a recurring part of interwar Royal Navy exercises. Training developed both attacking methods and the ability to defend against them, with the navy prepared to accept damaged destroyers in practice. The same commitment exposed naval aviators to serious danger during night flying. Night operations are identified as a leading cause of naval-aviator deaths in several years, although no specific years or totals are given. Practical competence therefore carried a material cost in ships and personnel.