Vice Admirals Alexander Duff and Arthur Leveson took charge while the Royal Navy was demobilizing and redefining its Far Eastern posture after the First World War. Japan emerged from the war as an ally whose future direction nevertheless demanded close observation. Duff arrived with the new cruiser HMS Hawkins, commanded by future Third Sea Lord Reginald Henderson, who also served as chief of staff. Leveson's colleagues praised his habit of studying current maps and books and combining history with geography before forming judgments, illustrating the intellectual work expected of those commanders. The 1921 higher-command conference identified Singapore as the essential headquarters and main fleet base for Pacific operations. Unable to deploy a battle fleet permanently, the navy compensated in part by sending capable commanders and staffs to study the region and make informed strategic judgments.
Chapter · 21:20-24:08
Postwar commanders reassess the Far East from Singapore
Senior officers and HMS Hawkins helped reassess the Pacific as the Royal Navy demobilized and reconsidered Japan after the First World War.