Senior-officer losses disrupted naval command continuity

Britain's ability to manage Churchill's ideas depended partly on senior officers experienced in naval administration and in dealing with the prime minister. Losing Backhouse and Henderson before the war disrupted that continuity, including the handover of the Third Sea Lord's responsibilities. Backhouse would probably have managed Churchill better than Pound, while Henderson would likely have continued overseeing construction during the opening phase of the war before receiving another senior appointment. Those judgments are counterfactual, but Somerville's recall after illness provides a concrete example of the shortage of experienced officers. Technical advice led to Dunkirk duties, command of Force H, and eventually the Eastern Fleet. An appointment to Force H initially described as lasting six months became prolonged service that exhausted him.