Vian replaced his friend Philip Mack after Mack's death in an air crash and took command of a major Sicily landing force on short notice. Vian's autobiography and Hillary's service history contradict a repeated claim that HMS Glengyle was his flagship. Hillary was a 14-knot passenger liner armed with two 6-inch guns, a 12-pounder, and anti-aircraft machine guns. Although Vian disliked staff work, Ramsay and Eisenhower praised his organization of the force. Once underway, his senior role centered on preserving delegated initiative, solving problems, and sustaining morale without micromanaging subordinate ships.
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HMS Hillary was Vian's headquarters ship for Operation Husky
Vian's own autobiography identifies HMS Hillary - not Glengyle - as his headquarters ship while he rapidly organized Force V for the Sicily landings.