Indian Ocean service as a conventional midshipman apprenticeship

His 1940 Indian Ocean postings put him aboard Ramillies and the County-class cruisers Kent and Shropshire while his Greek nationality complicated service against Italy. The assignment carried real danger because German surface raiders operated in the wider theatre and Japan remained a potential threat. Large ships gave midshipmen access to senior officers and chief petty officers who could train them while limiting the damage from inexperience. Once Italy invaded Greece, Philip's background and language changed from a diplomatic complication into potentially useful operational knowledge.