The criticism of Lord Cork's Norway appointment centres on Churchill's intervention in the command structure. In this interpretation, Cork was placed over other officers to employ Home Fleet assets even though responsibility should have remained with Home Fleet. Admiral Evans's sidelining is raised as another example of an existing appointment losing authority once operations began. Cork is judged a capable captain and a reasonably effective peacetime admiral whose political ability did not translate into strong wartime command. The later pressure on Somerville is used to show the risks of that relationship with Churchill. Cunningham's threat to resign and defend Somerville is credited with forcing Churchill to retreat.
Notable Point · 5:27:10-5:28:48
Churchill's choice of Lord Cork and the Norway command problem
The Norway command arrangements illustrate a criticism of political appointments that bypass established operational authority, followed by the dispute over Somerville.