Captain Robert St Vincent Sherbrooke brought an aggressive destroyer background to a mission centered on protection. He had commanded HMS Cossack at Narvik, yet at Barents Sea he had to restrain his offensive instincts whenever pursuit would expose the convoy. Rear Admiral Robert Burnett took his cruiser force toward the sound of battle despite incomplete communications. Vice Admiral Oskar Kummetz had to execute an offensive plan under restrictions that made decisive action difficult. Their problems differed because each command sat within a different set of operational responsibilities and orders.
Notable Point · 12:48-19:15
Sherbrooke, Burnett, and Kummetz faced different command problems
Sherbrooke had to restrain his offensive instincts, Burnett moved toward gunfire without a reliable signal, and Kummetz inherited restrictive orders and a flawed plan.