War Staff personnel and political compromise

When Churchill considered appointing Reginald Custance as Chief of the Naval War Staff, Battenberg opposed the appointment strongly enough that witnesses recorded the argument and Churchill gave way to Doveton Sturdee. The episode provides direct evidence that Battenberg could challenge his political chief. Sturdee need not have been Battenberg's first choice either, and some War Staff appointments were political or factional compromises. Fisher's hypothetical death would make his followers more willing to accept Battenberg as their temporary leader until Jellicoe became available. That would give the First Sea Lord several months to move captains and commanders and impose more coherent staff supervision. Moving senior admirals into sea appointments would be harder, because a convenient transfer might create new problems in the command they received.