Why was a Tribal-class flotilla leader given so much operational latitude?
Short answerPhilip Vian supported the arrangement and retained wider operational responsibility, giving experimentation experienced senior cover.
NotesThe latitude was not simply a lack of supervision: Philip Vian supported it while holding wider responsibility for one of the D-Day naval sectors. Once at sea, the flotilla could also fall under his operational command, linking Jones's experimentation to an experienced destroyer commander higher in the chain.