• THE NAVAL REVIEW

TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT AND SPREADING WITHIN THE SERVICE OF KNOWLEDGE RELEVANT TO THE HIGHER ASPECTS OF THE NAVAL PROFESSION.

Founded in October, 1912, by the following officers, who had formed a Naval Society: Captain H. W. Richmond R.N. Commander K. G. B. Dewar R.N. Commander the Hon. R. A. R. Plunkett R.N. Lieutenant R. M. Bellairs R.N. Lieutenant T. Fisher R.N. Lieutenant H. G. Thursfield R.N. Captain E. W. Harding R.M.A. Admiral W. H. Henderson (Honorary Editor)

It is only by the possession of a trained and developed mind that the fullest capacity can, as a rule, be obtained. There are, of course, exceptional individuals with rare natural gifts which make up for deficiencies. But such gifts are indeed rare. We are coming more and more to recognise that the best specialist can be produced only after a long training in general learning. The grasp of principle which makes detail easy can only come when innate capacity has been evoked and moulded by high training. Lord Haldane

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Vol. 86 No.2 APRIL 1998 Contents

Page EDITORIAL 99

ARTICLES: OXFORD STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUP: AN ADDRESS 101 THE REQUIREMENT FOR A NATO LED FOLLOW ON FORCE IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA 106 A NAVAL REVOLUTION? 110 'AN EMPTY BOX' - HOW ACCURATE IS JACQUES DELORS' ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT OF THE WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION? 114 BOMBING BAGHDAD -A 'JUST WAR'? 118 MARITIME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT -A POSTWAR HISTORY OF THE BRITISH EXPERIENCE - II 121 LEADERS AND MANAGERS: CHALK AND CHEESE ... 128 CHURCHILL AND THE NAVAL ASSAULT ON THE DARDANELLES - II 134 SWIMMING TO VICTORIOUS 140 AN INCIDENT IN THE FIRST COD WAR ... 142 RADIO ASTRONOMY AND NAVAL GUNNERY: THE UNLIKELY ALLIANCE... 143 THE VICTORIA AND CAMPERDOWNCOLLISION, 1893 145 FROM THE NAVAL REVIEW THIRTY YEARS AGO 146 END OF AN ERA? 147 MIDSHIPMEN JOIN THEIR FIRST SHIPS IN THE MED IN 1940 150 FORBIDDEN AREAS 153 KIPLING AT SEA 154 FOR THE ROYAL NAVY, ON THE PROSPECT OF LEAVING THE PAINTED HALL AND THE CHALK GALLERY AT GREENWICH PALACE, 1998 156

CORRESPONDENCE 157 SUEZ 40 YEARS ON - THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF BRITISH PRESTIGE IN THE EAST ­

HMS CENTURION - THE MANAGEMENT OF FEAR - THE SINKING OF SS KHEDIVE ISMAIL ­ SHIPS IN CONVOY -A LITTLE HISTORY - AFO 1/56 REVISITED - SUBJECTIVE ISSUES -A CONFUSING ISSUE - HELM OR WHEEL ORDERS - THE SHOVEWOOD - EARTHQUAKE RELIEF IN 1939 - POLARIS HISTORY

REVIEWS-I 167

REVIEWS -II 179

NEW MEMBERS, OBITUARY AND ACCOUNTS 188

- I Editorial Thisissue vast extent. The contact number is 0181 312 April is the cruellest month ... members who 6704, Fax 01813126533. know their Eliot, and their Editor, may think it Secondly, the Queen's House is mounting an surprising that it has taken 15 years to prise out exhibition commemorating the 300th that quotation. Well, it has happened now. This Anniversary of the visit of Tsar Peter the Great issue does seem always to generate an to Britain, from 2 April to 27 September. He immensely varied crop of contributions, learned much about shipbuilding and exceptionally difficult to summarise in an navigation, and the British learnt a bit about Editorial. Russian ways too. In addition to the Exhibition, If anyone is looking for a theme, therefore, there is a Conference from 9 to 11 July. they will look in vain I fear. We can instead, I Finally, the Open Museum at the NMM is am delighted to say, find a rich spread in both running a course on the Victorian Navy on historical time and topic: from an authoritative Tuesdays from 28 April to 16 June. An statement of joint and maritime policy (both impressive list of speakers has been planned. words carefully chosen) from the Deputy Further information from Caroline Tilbrook on Commander of the Fleet through a 0181372 6747. reassessment of the Revolution in Military Affairs, interesting appraisals of Bosnian and Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association Essay Iraqi issues, the WEU factor, to Maritime Rules Prize ofEngagement ... certainly members may look To encourage a well informed debate upon the for a read-across from each ofthose to the next. important contribution Naval Aviation has to Finally, of the contemporary articles - and make to the Defence of UK interests world­ this is not to discount the value ofthe historical wide, including the promotion of the Nation's material that is also well represented -I hope economic well-being through regional stability, members will not be daunted by the dense the Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association has structure of 'Leaders and Managers'. I don't established an annual Essay Prize of£500 to the think Alston meant it to be easy reading, but he most significant entry. did mean it to be read. The topic for 1998 is to be focused on the important issue of the Carrier Replacement The Guinness Prize 1997 Programme and should be encompassed within There was, almost inevitably, no embarras de the broad title Carrier 2000: A Consideration richesse in candidates for the 1997 Guinness ofNaval Aviation in the Millennium. Entries of Prize (awarded for the best article by a member five to ten thousand words are invited from of the rank ofLieutenant or below) as there was Serving Officers of the Royal Navy or Royal in 1996. There was however a clear winner Marines, or Officers of any other Service who with an article of exceptionally high quality: have served with the Fleet Air Arm. Essays Lieutenant George Franklin in 'Learning to should be submitted to Director Naval Learn' displayed clarity of thought and Historical Branch at 3-5, Great Scotland Yard, ~xpression as well as ample research skills. London SW1 2HW, marked 'FAAOA Essay Many congratulations then, and £150, to Competition', to be received by 31 May 1998. Lieutenant Franklin. A decision on the winner, assuming it is of sufficient merit, will be made by a panel of 'lational Maritime Museum judges whose decision is final. Copyright ofthe The Museum rates three paragraphs, albeit winning entry will belong to the FAAOA who Jrief, this time. The first is the longest-term: the would expect to print it in professional journals \1useum reminds users of its Picture Research as well as their own journal 'Fly Navy'. ~oom, still in operation in spite ofthe extensive mgoing works. The collection, both of Binding service Jhotocopies of pictures in the NMM's In the January issue the Secretary-Treasurer Jossession and of original photographs, is of offered his services in arranging a binding

99 100 EDITORIAL service for members. Take-up on this has been General Meeting of The Naval Review will be slow so the notice is being repeated just this held in the Gunroom at The Naval Club, 38 Hill once. Anyone interested in getting their back Street, London WI at 1730 on Wednesday 27 copies bound, at a cost per volume of about May 1998. Members will be most welcome and £30, please contact the Secretary-Treasurer on need merely to identify themselves to the 01243 782553 (preferably after 18(0), or Fax Club's receptionist on arrival. 01243 775285, or ofcourse by post. RICHARD HILL Annual General Meeting By courtesy of the Committee, the Annual Oxford Strategic Studies Group: An Address

Introduction Then there is the technological revolution. y subject tonight is Maritime An exciting feature certainly, but it is a double M Manoeuvre - or perhaps for reasons edged sword too. For example: C4I advances which should become clear, the maritime by the wealthiest nations add huge capability contribution to the manoeuvrist approach. Let but, through their cost, seriously threaten me begin, if so well-informed an audience will interoperability; cruise missile precision gives forgive me, with some brief remarks on the the west a dramatic coercion capability but changes that affect the international security technology has also given our adversaries the context for this is, or certainly should be, the potential for· weapons of mass destruction, a starting point. And my starting point is the capability against which it is expensive, for changed strategic situation. When I was staff some nations too expensive, to defend. college commandant in 1988, I used to tell my A third trend, New Ways ofWar, is largely students that the Soviet Union was about to the result of the first two. New ways of war collapse and we had better think about it; well have developed. Indeed, if I was totally now it has and we can all agree that life has politically correct I might not talk ofwar at all. changed and that change has removed the cold The GulfWar was a good example ofjust how war lid from the international cauldron, much things have changed: disturbed the strategic symmetry of that era There was time to build up forces, and ushered in a much greater use ofthe threat develop political and military pressure, of force to coerce and a corresponding need to and choose the moment of attack. revert to force to back up diplomatic and peace There were guaranteed and relatively support activity. secure points of entry. There was almost It has, of course, been absolutely the norm unlimited host nation support. to see the collapse ofthe Berlin Wall as ending And the sea lines of communications, a 40 year rift across Europe. But it has also on which so much depended particularly marked the end of a rather longer period of during the mounting phase, were strategic inertia. And in the case of Britain it unchallenged. was the first time in over 200 years that we But in the uncertainty of life, it would be were in a position to think about politico­ very dangerous to use the Gulf War as our strategic issues, freed from the immediate only template. For it could all be very need to defend our own territory. different: Since 1793 our hands had been tied in this Disputes can flare up and spread, often way first by the French Revolutionary and quicker than we can respond. Napoleonic Wars, then by the gaining and Overflying rights cannot be guaranteed garrisoning of an empire, and finally by two - and we have seen examples. For world wars and the alliance system ofthe cold instance in March '97 when the RN's war. In fact for almost 200 years the Ocean Wave deployment took on the persistence of a major immediate threat on the flying role for Op Jural over Iraq, or continent of Europe has been, on and off, a during the current Iraqi crisis, when it is recurrent and constant worry to defence by no means clear that host nations will planners. The recent shift has offered a allow their bases to be used for all the strategic choice, and we have at last the purposes we might intend. opportunity to return to that enduring refrain Indeed the plain fact is that we cannot which has always been an essential element of be certain in all circumstances of British military strategy, maritime power. But airfields, ports, and neighbouring states let me make it absolutely clear that when I say willing to give support. This is hardly maritime power, I do not mean just naval surprising nor is it unreasonable. power, but rather diplomatic, air, sea and land Different countries inevitably have power deployed on and from the sea - the Full different perspectives and interests. Joint Monty! There is a considerable proliferation of

101 102 OXFORD STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUP: AN ADDRESS advanced weapons notably, from a Manoeuvre Warfare is defined as a style of mantlme perspective, the wide warfare which seeks to collapse an enemy's proliferation of conventional submarines. cohesion and effectiveness through a series of How different the Gulf War supply lines rapid violent and unexpected actions that might have been if Gaddafi or some other create a turbulent and rapidly deteriorating difficult leader had had a couple of situation with which he cannot cope. operational boats. Iran already has the I would claim that this changed military and missile and submarine capability to close political world is a world for which maritime off the Straits ofHormuz - what price sea power was designed. I have already said, and I lines of communications then? And how want to repeat and underline that maritime would we cope with a significant land power does not mean naval power in the based anti-ship missile capability if we narrow sense. It means the use ofthe sea - that could not attack it from the air because wonderfully free route to almost anywhere ­ we could not get near enough? to deliver sea, land and air power to the point So, while the Gulf War was certainly a of decision; to provide transport, mounting milestone in terms of international diplomatic bases, airfields for all comers, store depots, and military co-operation there are dangers in barracks, fire support, refugee havens and seeing it as a paradigm of all future military even entertainment whenever it is needed, and activity. to shelter and protect it, given the right Nonetheless, looking as far ahead as we can equipment. It is a thoroughly joint see for, as Churchill remarked, it is unwise contribution to a joint endeavour although I and difficult to look further, there are at least shall necessarily lean tonight on naval some constants. As a given, operations seem examples because that is what I know about. certain to be at some distance from the UK and There will, I know, be those who will talk probably to be coalition in character. They are about its relatively low speed - and I hope that likely to be expeditionary and focus on the they will challenge me in the debate that littoral for this is overwhelmingly where follows this because there are issues worth people live and issues are decided. This means exploring here. deployability and strategic lift and it means Of course not all operations will directly access to entry points. These operations will involve maritime forces. However a be to a large extent discretionary. Casualties significant proportion are likely to be will be politically difficult to accept. conducted around the periphery of land Operations may well be difficult to terminate masses, where centres of population, and withdrawal may become as much, and as resources, industrial production, political difficult, a part of our operational vocabulary control and trade are concentrated, and where as entry. It will be necessary to identify the crises involving British interests may occur. points of maximum leverage, the fulcra of Effective operations in these 'littoral' areas, political influence which may be as much which straddle the boundary between land and psychological as material. sea, are potentially of crucial importance I could go on but I hope I have shown that, either as the scene of an operation itself or as for military planners, we are a long way from the focus for deploying and sustaining forces the certainties and clearly drawn scenarios of deeper inland. the cold war and are dealing with a variety of Maritime, land and air forces have different pieces of string ofquite indeterminate lengths, but complementary attributes. For example: and, indeed, of unknown and untested the sustained reach, forward presence, elasticity. mobility and leverage of maritime forces; land I think at this stage a definition of terms force capacity for shock action, protection and might be useful with regard to Manoeuvre and the ability to take and hold ground; and air Manoeuvre Warfare. Manoeuvre is defined as power's ubiquity, speed, responsiveness and force which comprises movement plus fire, or reach. As an element of joint operations, use fire potential, to achieve advantage. of the sea offers unique access, in terms of OXFORD STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUP: AN ADDRESS 103 movement, concentration of fire-power, care of casualties. surprise or overt presence, to gain an Special Forces. advantageous position. Maritime forces can be Strategic C4ISR suitable for a used to deter an aggressor by deploying into a commander of any cloth, as appropriate region at an early stage, at virtually no risk and for the operation. if necessary, in considerable strength; they can All of these things are already available to then apply packages of mixed land air or sea us in UK and able to deploy across the force against key targets, if appropriate, to maritime space to wherever we need them. IfI prevent or impede a potential aggressor from had listed instead: using force, with limited danger of major Aircraft Carriers with tailored Air escalation. In other words as well as Groups (including of course RAF and supporting operations on shore, maritime Army aircraft). power can stop crises ever happening or nip Submarines and TLAMs for both them in the bud. intelligence and stealth. In sum, I believe the sea is for us a pre­ An amphibious capability followed up eminent medium because, above all, it by armoured land forces. provides that fundamental element - the ace in Fleet fuel and heavy store auxiliaries the pack - Access. By history, tradition and and ROCONS. skill we are better placed, certainly than any Air defences, ASW & MCM assets. other European nation to exploit this medium Organic helicopters. and to develop a theory of Manoeuvre Gunfire and Offensive Air Support. Warfare based on the joint use of the sea - a The huge C4I power of the JFHQ theory which is rooted in traditional virtues (Afloat), yet highly relevant to and congruent with you would properly have accused me of modern needs, well-established in doctrine promoting the RN. But I am not. I am listing and providing as much strategic choice and those elements of naval capability which can operational flexibility as is likely to be contribute to the joint manoeuvre and achievable. Let me refer to it as a composite projection force to bring about the resolution joint projection capability and set out to of a problem on land where it must necessarily describe its components and explain its be resolved. The point is, you see, carriers, application. command platforms, amphibious and logistic What we are talking about is a balanced, capabilities are a service I, as an Admiral, versatile force to confront a range of offer to whichever commander and force scenarios. It needs lift, combat power, elements need to use them. sustainability, flexibility and the minimum And how will they be used? The modern possible dependence on outside help. It must operating space is most likely to be a joint integrate and exploit joint assets, 'co-operate' operating area (lOA), and on many occasions with other, perhaps unfamiliar, partners. It as we have already seen will be a three must be deployable not simply transportable. dimensional area spanning sea and land - the How about these things as a basis: Littoral. Real Time Forward Intelligence. The actual conduct of the likely sort of Deployable air power tailored to the operation within this space will generally operation. require four phases - Defining the JOA, Surgical Strike of the type afforded by Shaping the JOA, exploiting the JOA and Cruise Missiles. subsequent operations (which ~ay range from Land forces able to secure entry developing large scale force, through peace without necessarily having access to enforcement or peace keeping to termination ports or airfields. whether successfully or under unfavourable Attack Helicopters. conditions). I mention this last because there Fire Support. tends to be an assumption these days that our Protection and sustainability, including military operations will necessarily be 104 OXFORD STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUP: AN ADDRESS successful. This is a very risky assumption and by the Navy for all three services and, the problem of force extraction under attack is hopefully, other nations. This may allow us to a very demanding one in which you may have produce force packages which are not only to rely solely on your own assets that you have militarily tailored and integrated but brought with you, and can control. politically tailored and integrated too. The The key feature of all these phases is to UKlNL Amphibious Force is another example bring and apply the right tool to the right task ofthe latter. One could go on on this theme but in the right place at the right time. Experience I hope the point is clear. has shown us that tools are often most usefully Now let me tum to Platform to Objective applied ifapplied early, which is why we have Manoeuvre. This is where the shaping and always aimed to deploy our ships widely exploiting phases of a campaign really start. rather than keep them at home - it is not an The important feature here is to understand accident but usually planned that ships are so that this phase really must be three often in an area ofinterest, ready to make their dimensional if it is to have the pace and power impact at a time and precise point of political to overwhelm the opposition's command, choice. Indeed, the freedom of the seas, control and will - shades of Liddell-Hart freedom for use, freedom from boundaries and perhaps. Anyone who tells you that frontiers is why the sea is so valuable an arena amphibious assault or parachute vertical for joint force manoeuvre. And here perhaps I desant are the only way to conduct entry should remind you of a fourth dimension to operations is living in the past. We have to the joint picture - the political dimension. For develop a joint three dimensional approach to once manoeuvre begins and we have to this subject though from a maritime consider graduated application of force, the perspective you will at once see the key role of political process absolutely must go hand in both tailored Carrier Air Groups and glove with the military process. Amphibious Forces and perhaps I should I hope that I have created a picture of a mention the revival of raiding as a manoeuvre theory of manoeuvre, based on the use of the option. sea as a free and open medium of deployment, The same general thought colours my view designed to bring a carefully co-ordinated on Precision Attack which is also a truly three joint force package under the command of the dimensional business. Indeed we particularly most appropriate commander into a position to need to remember the fourth (political) apply a precisely targeted military lever in the dimension here because it is an area in which manner best designed to achieve the desired the key political needs of minimum casualties political aim. Let me now be a little more to our own side, minimum collateral damage concrete about some of the detailed military to the other side and maximum use of the features ofthis package. I want to outline now appropriate fulcrum are vitally important. just four things - Adaptive Force Packages, Thus, whilst raiding parties, special forces or Platform to Objective Manoeuvre, Precision more thoroughly constituted land forces may Attack and Sea Basing. be appropriate, so too very often will be the In many respects, Adaptive Force precision of long range sea based (and Packages, that is force packages tailored to the therefore relatively invulnerable) cruise task in hand, are an obvious idea. What is missiles, smart artillery and, of course, perhaps less obvious up to now is the full joint aircraft. In this latter context it is worth flavour of these. There has, for example been remarking on the great amount of work we, a tendency to regard aircraft carriers as naval the RN, and the RAF have put in to units, purveying Naval aircraft almost in developing the operation of RAF ground competition with the Air Force. This is attack GR7s from our aircraft carriers recently nonsense. Of course, aircraft are best operated demonstrated in Bosnia and, as we speak, from properly equipped land bases but these deployed in the Gulf. This really is the way are not always available. So we must learn to ahead. see aircraft carriers as joint airfields operated Finally, before attempting a brief summary, OXFORD STRATEGIC STUDIES GROUP: AN ADDRESS 105 I want to mention the four dimensional virtues that, in these new circumstances, a theory of of Sea Basing. I think I have said enough to the use of military force based principally convey my firm belief that sea platforms are upon the principles of Joint Adaptive Force flexible joint assets, which provide ideal Packages and the philosophy of Manoeuvre vehicles for area services, weapons and Warfare is appropriate. I have argued, and resources of all sorts, most importantly in the believe as strongly as I can say, that this use of area of logistics and sustainability, all of it force must be four dimensional, integrating .well adapted for its prime purpose of air, land, sea and political aims and tools. And facilitating and supporting land operations in I have suggested that all of this enhances the pursuit of political ends. But Sea Basing has traditional worth of maritime assets ­ other advantages too. Crucially, from a flexibility, low political risk, access, reach, political (and of course practical) point of mobility and sustainability allowing view, it allows the projection of force to be maritime power to be employed across the carried out with a very small land footprint, range of crisis and political activity, and reducing financial and diplomatic cost and conferring the ability to give an almost infinite concentrating and easing the protection range of signals. problem; any of you who witnessed the I have proposed a view of maritime force as problems of the deployment of 24 Air Mobile being, above all, joint and one in which the Brigade to Bosnia as a theatre reserve in the naval assets are to a large degree the servants summer of 1995 will recognise the value of of purposes which frequently, not always, but this. It allows, too, the exercise of Joint Force frequently will be finally executed on shore Command from offshore unless and until it is and by land forces. But I hope also to have more sensible to move ashore; the digitisation persuaded you that Maritime Manoeuvre, the of the battle space may make this even more maritime contribution to this venture, offers a valuable. It allows the maintenance in theatre more sensitive application of force or and convenient re-supply of all the influence, enabling intervention at a time and impedimenta that make up logistic place ofpolitical choice, and an opportunity to sustainability. And lastly it allows exploit joint assets in a more manageable risk considerable in-theatre tactical mobility environment. (manoeuvrability in terms of this talk) - up to Importantly the assets available to us today 400 km a day along a coast providing by and large allow this approach to be adopted opportunities for tactical surprise and - and incremental improvement, which is both exploitation. A powerful hand indeed. technically easily feasible and, given clear Let me now attempt a summary, although I thinking, financially affordable will enhance fear that in some areas I have skimmed the the effect. Perhaps I might close by surface. I have tried to proceed from an, remembering Lord Grey's 1912 remark that admittedly, somewhat swift description of the 'the British army should be a projectile to be way the politico-military world currently is, fired by the British navy' and suggesting that via a smuggled assumption that we in Britain today he might say something more like 'air can and should playa significant military role and land power are precision munitions to be in the management of the world, to some launched from the sea.' thoughts about what that means for the planning and use of military force where that J. J. BLACKHAM is an appropriate instrument. I am suggesting VICE ADMIRAL The Requirement for a NATO led follow on force in Bosnia Herzegovina

Introduction Divisions (MND). These divisions oversee a HEN the Stabilisation Force (SFOR) third of the tOountry each and are commanded W took over the responsibility for military by the framework nations, UK, US, France operations in Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH) on 20 and Germany. These combat battalions are December 1996 United Nations Security supported by effective air power and strong, Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1088 mandated mobile reserves which are based both inside that all NATO-led forces would be withdrawn BiH and outside the theatre, predominantly in from BiH by 20 June 1998. These forces Italy. The reserves comprise the Operational would then subsequently be withdrawn from Reserve which is an air mobile reserve based Croatia and redeployed and reassigned. At the in BiH and exercised regularly, capable of time that SFOR was sanctioned, there was providing reinforcement to any of the three optimism that an 18 month mandate would MND sectors quickly and the Strategic suffice in achieving the end state of self­ Reserve (six battalion equivalents) based sustaining peace in the country. This was around a US Marine Expeditionary Unit premised on the successes of its predecessor, which is available at 4-17 days notice. This the Implementation Force (IFOR), in halting element of the reserve is exercised regularly the fighting between the Former Warring and the next major exercise, Dynamic Factions (FWF). It was determined that a force Response 98, will take place in theatre from approximately half the size of IFOR could 25 March -7 April 1998 and involve 1,500 continue to provide the safe and secure troops from six troop contributing nations. environment required for the International Thus, SFOR provides a credible force of Organisations (10) to conduct their work in sufficient strength to enforce the military establishing democracy to the country and aspects of the General Framework Agreement facilitating the return of the hundreds of for Peace (GFAP). This document was the thousands of displaced persons, refugees and product of the Bosnia Proximity Peace Talks evacuees (DPRE), who had been displaced as held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio a result of the conflict. Although significant from 1-20 November 1995, under the auspices progress has been made in BiH, sadly the of the Contact Group. It was subsequently conditions for a complete withdrawal of signed in Paris on 14 December 1995 and NATO-led forces are not prevalent and defines those measures that the Parties, the therefore the requirement for a Follow on Republic ofBosnia Herzegovina, the Republic Force (FOF) to take over post 20 June 1998, is of Croatia and the Federal Republic of considered mandatory. This paper aims to Yugoslavia, agreed to in order to reach a highlight the significant events of SFOR's peaceful settlement of the conflict. Annex lA tenure to date and determine unequivocally of the GFAP deals with the military aspects of the necessity for a FOF. the settlement and is the authority for SFOR to conduct its business in the country in carrying SFOR evolution out the specific tasks listed. SFOR comprises approximately 32,000 troops based in BiH and an additional 3,000 in Military achievements Croatia made up of troops from the various SFOR's primary task of enforcing the services of over 35 nations. Up to 24 non­ cessation of hostilities has been accomplished NATO nations provide approximately 18% of superbly and BiH remains at peace with the the troop strength which is indicative of the risk of any military confrontation between world's commitment to the problem in BiH. A SFOR and Entity Armed Forces (EAF) very total of 27 ground manoeuvre battalions are unlikely. The EAF have been substantially based in BiH and are distributed throughout compliant with the requirements of Annex lA the territory of the three Multi-National of GFAP and this has resulted in the

106 REQUIREMENT FOR NATO LED FOLLOW ON FORCE IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA 107 establishment of a safe and secure developed a significant, operationally environment. All EAF heavy weapons remain effective and productive capability during strictly controlled in cantonment sites which 1997. Even during the winter the SFOR are regularly inspected by the MNDs. The Commander directed that training and re­ MNDs approve, monitor, and report on all equipping the EAFs should be conducted movements and training conducted by the when the weather precluded actual de-mining, EAF and on average, SFOR monitors over 750 so that the campaign could resume at full distinct activities each month. SFOR also strength in the spring of this year. This policy maintains a visible presence throughout BiB also strengthened the relation between and especially along the 1,400 km Zone of demining and training/movement and obliged Separation which separates the Republika the entities to produce detailed plans for Srpska (RS) from the Federation through counter-mining operations for 1997 against patrols (150 per day on average) and the priorities laid down by SFOR. Statistics establishment of temporary checkpoints. In illustrate the success of this policy. More than essence, no military activity can be conducted 20,000 mines were removed and destroyed without SFOR's approval and any attempt to from marked mined areas and an additional bypass this authorisation process or deviate 1,100 unexploded objects have been removed. from the agreed activity is met with severe However, when these successes are put into penalty. perspective, the sheer enormity ofthe problem SFOR has also provided significant and becomes clear. These 20,000 mines represent often crucial support to civilian tasks while approximately 5% of known mines and it is maintaining a secure environment and estimated by the United Nations Mine Action achieving its military tasks. In particular, Centre (UNMAC) that only 50% of the total SFOR has been instrumental in supporting a number of minefields are documented. significant nationwide police restructuring programme and, since August 1997, has Civil implementation extended its authority over the specialist The long-term success of the NATO-led police forces (paramilitary police) in BiH by military effort depends significantly on the treating them as forces subject to the achievement of the complex civilian tasks provisions ofGFAP Annex lA. This has led to carried out, under the co-ordination of the the disbanding of all specialist police and the High Representative (HR), by the many confiscation of their weapons. international agencies and non-governmental SFOR has contributed to promoting organisations working in BiH. The mandate of freedom of movement by repairing war the HR is to oversee the implementation ofthe damaged transport networks which is civil aspects of the GFAP which include the fundamental to the re-integration of the establishment of political and constitutional population. Throughout 1996 and 1997, IFOR institutions, economic reconstruction, the and SFOR have been instrumental in assisting promotion of human rights and the in the re-opening of the railway network in encouragement ofthe return ofDPREs. SFOR BiH. Additionally, 2,566 km of theatre roads has established close links with the five have been maintained by SFOR engineers principal lOs (Office of the High with NATO funds totalling $22.7 million. Representative (OHR), Organisation for Co­ Additionally, IFOR and SFOR have installed operation and Security in Europe (OSCE), or repaired 64 bridges. Civilian control of the United Nations High Commission for airspace and airports in BiB has been Refugees (UNHCR), International Police progressing and the Federal Aviation Task Force (IPTF) and United Nations Authority (FAA) has completed initial Mission in BiH (UNMBiH» and of particular inspections of Banja Luka, Mostar, Sarajevo, note has been SFOR's well-coordinated and and Tuzla airports and all but Tuzla are now executed support to the OSCE during the BiH open to civilian traffic. Municipal Elections, 13-14 September 1997. The military de-mining campaign has This accomplished one of the most significant 108 REQUIREMENT FOR NATO LED FOLLOW ON FORCE IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA steps for promoting democracy in BiH. The achieved to an appreciable degree and remain RS Parliamentary Elections held on 22-23 a major stumbling block to progress. November 1997 were conducted in a free and Within BiH, citizenship is not legally fair manner, and the seven types of elections defined and there is still no common flag, scheduled for next September will mark passport or currency despite continual another step in propelling democratisation encouragement, from the HR. Most recently, forward. Arms Control has been another the HR has used his powers to enforce a notable success with over 6,500 heavy solution where stalemate persists, but this weapons being neutralised. Co-operation approach only highlights the continued between the OSCE and SFOR has ensured that intransigence between the Parties. There are the Entities' arms reductions as stipulated in no public corporations and the full the Florence Agreement, met the ceilings normalisation of BiH's relations with its stipulated. A major cause of the war in BiH immediate neighbours has not taken place. was irresponsible nationalist media and the The police are still sometimes used to obstruct persistence of this approach led to OHR the implementation.f.)f election results, do not requesting the assistance of SFOR in taking deal effectively with politically or ethnically control ofthe RS radio transmitters in October motivated crimes, are responsible for 1997 and preventing the broadcast of documented cases of abuse of persons in inflammatory and biased reporting. The custody and more generally, are not transmitters will be returned once the RS sufficiently obliged by the political leadership agrees to restructure its radio and TV to advance the goals of the Peace Agreement. organisation and create a democratic and non­ The requirement to bring persons indicted for prejudicial media. war crimes (PIFWC) to face trial at the The main responsibility for carrying out the International Criminal Tribunal for the civil tasks lies with the BiH authorities; Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) remains however, continuing concerted pressure by the paramount. Although the Croats, under International Community (IC) is necessary to considerable pressure, have recently handed sustain momentum in the peace process. The over most of the Bosnian Croat PIFWCs, this Sintra and the Bonn Peace Implementation issue will continue to cause problems, with the Council Meetings have given new impetus to parties reluctant or refusing to co-operate civil implementation ofthe GFAP and applied willingly with the IC in the investigation and additional pressure on the Parties to move arrest of suspected criminals within their own towards compliance. However, peace and the communities. The complete failure of the RS institutions ofcivil society to uphold it, remain and the FRY to carry out this obligation is fragile. The war has left a legacy of bitterness indicative of their reluctance to comply. and distrust and this has manifested itself in extremely slow progress. Areas of particular Economic growth concern and which need impetus are the lack While there is some progress in the of functioning governmental and reconstruction of infrastructure throughout administrative structures, the protection of BiH, most projects are still directed at the human rights, police reform and the rule of Federation because of its willingness to law, a proper economic strategy to include the comply with the Peace Agreement. Except for fight against corruption and revenue evasion, some limited areas such as tele­ and to complete successfully the return of communications, the status of reconstruction DPREs. Approximately 150,000 refugees and in the RS is substantially behind due to its 160,000 internally displaced persons have intransigence and flagrant unwillingness to returned, representing about 15% of the pursue the goals of Dayton. Economic overall total. Almost all have resettled in areas disparity between the Federation and the RS is of ethnic majority. The return of refugees and a serious issue. The estimated 1997 Gross DPREs to minority areas, together with the Domestic Product (GDP) for the Federation is freedom of movement to do so, have not been over 2~ times that of the RS. The average REQUIREMENT FOR NATO LED FOLLOW ON FORCE IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA 109

monthly wage for a Federation worker is DM is now able to offer more support to civil 270 versus DM 85 for a worker in the RS. implementation due to the reduced risk of Throughout BiH, substantial work remains, direct military confrontation and a closer with housing and education system relationship with civil organisations. SFOR's reconstruction being of particular importance continuing support will allow the lOs and to long-term stability. NGOs to maintain the momentum of economic recovery to spur investment, wider The way ahead employment opportunities and inspire DPRE IFOR and SFOR have been the greatest single returns. In order to sustain this momentum, contributor to subregional security since the SFOR must continue with what has been its signing of the Peace Agreement. NATO's key to success: an overwhelmingly deterrent plans to consider options for a multinational force with clarity of mission and purpose, FOF to SFOR post June 1998 have been robust rules of engagement, and strong, welcomed by the IC, for without this force, it unambiguous political support. is assessed that the fragile peace would be broken and the civil war would resume shortly Conclusion thereafter. Such a force must be capable of The long-term success of the NATO-led providing deterrence as well as supporting military efforts depends also on the civil implementation efforts. In addition, this achievement of the complex civilian tasks FOF must be stationed inside BiH in order to carried out, under the co-ordination ofthe HR, demonstrate resolve, support the lOs, and by the many international agencies and non­ provide for a quick response to any crisis. The governmental organisations working in BiH. mere presence of a disciplined, capable, and The SFOR contributing nations need to professional force, backed by clear political consider, on an urgent basis, how best to build guidance, will deter EAF aggression. It is also on the progress achieved so far and how to imperative that the force be mission, vice time accelerate both the pace and scope of dependent, for it iG.-evident that many stalling implementation. In most tasks, the tactics have been employed in the past by the commitment and responsibility of BiH leaders nationalist politicians in the knowledge that must be emphasised, and they must be held the SFOR mandate expires in June and that the accountable for their actions. There are also international resolve will wane. areas in which international efforts can be To realise military efficiency and to improved and this has been highlighted by the demonstrate international resolve, a FOF must preparedness of the HR to use his powers to be built on a core of NATO troops allowing resolve issues which cannot be resolved by the for non-NATO contingents to be incorporated. Parties themselves within the specified time A continued Russian contribution would periods laid down in the Peace greatly assist in military and political crisis Implementation Council meetings. The IC has management, and is therefore considered made major investments of time, money and essential. While SFOR is smaller than IFOR, people to end the conflict and to begin the it actually assumed more diverse tasks and rebuilding. Shifting emphasis and resources became more closely integrated with civil from military to civilian tasks will be very implementation. The primary military task of cost-effective for the longer term, and will preventing the Entities from resuming provide a solid basis for successful conclusion hostilities remains; however, with most GFAP of the military mission inside the country. military tasks accomplished, SFOR has been able to devote more resources to supporting S. M. BRAND tasks. This is clearly the way ahead as SFOR COMMANDER, RN

- .. A Naval Revolution?

ANY readers will be aware that much operations are to be very different in the M post-Cold War military literature future, to what extent is this attributable to new concerns the 'Revolution in Military Affairs' technologies? (RMA), especially in the United States. New All innovations, technological or not, can be information-based technologies are alleged to two-edged swords. It may be trite to say that be ready to transform the character of war, change is as much a challenge as an bestowing unchallenged military superiority opportunity, or indeed vice versa, but it is on the only state able fully to exploit the new nonetheless true. This is especially so as information-based systems - the USA, and to a potential opponents may adapt just as much as lesser extent its principal allies. Near-perfect we do. Getting the right perspective on the situational awareness and ever-more RMA at sea is important, not as a subject of surgically-precise weaponry will allow the endless academic fascination, but because if West to intervene wherever it chooses, the nature of war at sea is changing virtually cost-free, as during the Gulf War. fundamentally, we need to understand how Other views are less sanguine, mindful of the much, in what ways and for what reasons. In limitations of complete technological this way we can ensure that whether superiority in Vietnam and Somalia, to name technological or doctrinal imperatives are just two. forcing the pace, the other is adapted to keep Most definitions of an RMA begin with the pace. application of new technologies to produce RMAs are not new to mariner:~. About 150 new operational concepts, with accompanying years ago, warfare at sea had not changed organisational change. The result is a dramatically for over three centuries. Since fundamentally altered nature of warfare.' then, weapons technology has advanced more Where significant technological innovation than in all ofMan's previous experience at sea. simply leads to existing tasks being performed Despite a continuous process of change, we more efficiently, or in different ways, the term can identify four particularly intensive phases 'Military-Technical Revolution' is coined, of development, two largely technology­ implying less profound change in the overall pushed (the mid-nineteenth century industrial character of war. Whichever may be at hand, it revolution, and the innovations of the 1960s), has considerable implications for the future and two mainly operationally-driven (both nature of the naval profession. world wars). By the 1880s iron (later steel) In some important respects, the current hulls, steam propulsion and breech-loading RMA has its origins at sea. It was a American guns truly had transformed the nature ofwar at sailor, Admiral Owens, who coined the phrase sea, though Mahan in particular was still able 'System of Systems" to describe a new era of to identity unchanging fundamentals. The First warfare, in which new information World War saw mines, torpedoes, submarines, technologies transform the nature of conflict. wireless, and, tentatively, aircraft, making Precision, Stealth and Information, the widely­ naval warfare multi-dimensional for the first accepted hallmarks of the RMA, have long time. World War Two brought the maturing of been staple elements of operations at sea. Yet sensor technology radar and sonar, and of if such concepts actually are not new, just how carrier aviation, and saw the demise, after five 'revolutionary' is the application of new centuries, of the big gun-armed warship. technology to the maritime environment? As in The period of the 1960s is instructive, not the other warfare environments, we need to least because it is largely overlooked in studies assess the RMA at sea on two levels: Firstly, of the relationship between war and how radically different are the new technology, perhaps because there were information-based and other systems entering relatively few comparable breakthroughs in service now and in the future? Secondly, what land warfare. Nuclear weapons, nuclear does this mean for the future nature of warfare propulsion, jet aircraft, guided missiles, at sea? Conversely, we should also ask, ifnaval 'smart' torpedoes and mines, 3D radar, and

110 A NAVAL REVOLUTION? 111 perhaps most significant in view of the current but exemplifies what Admiral Owens has in information-based RMA debate, electronic mind with his 'system of systems'. This and warfare, computerised combat systems and other concepts provide for wide-area related data links, all appeared or matured in surveillance and real-time data transmission roughly the period 1955-1967. Equally and fusion, leading to 'dominant battlespace important was the assumption by navies of a knowledge', which in tum permits, amongst strategic bombing role (by means of other things, 'precision massed fires'. The fog submarine-launched ballistic missiles), of war will be, if not eliminated, at least previously the prerogative of air forces. dissipated.' We should not over-state the If a fifth 'spurt' of technological and changed role ofinformation at sea, however, as therefore tactical development at sea is now elsewhere. Fundamentally, the role of upon us, what form does it take? Is it simply a information has not changed. It has always, if 'military-technical revolution' (as arguably the translated into real knowledge, been a prime 1960s were), or is it more profound? A recent need for the warfighter. New technologies and, series of wargames conducted by the USN, to importantly, related concepts, simply allow investigate the implications ofthe RMA for the existing jobs to be done more efficiently and Navy, came to mixed conclusions. 3 Escalating effectively. Notwithstanding the still costs, reducing budgets, equipment lead-times, somewhat futuristic claims of I-War so-called 'sunk decisions' (ie already­ proponents, we have not yet done away with determined givens), and existing force the need to deliver ordnance on target, and structures (over three-quarters ofnaval units in suggestions that one day we will be able to do service in 2010 are already in commission or so should, for some time at least, be treated under construction)', all mean that much is with considerable scepticism. There is also predictable for' the next 30 years or more. doubt as to the real significance of the greatly Equally, the types and significance of new increased availability of information at all technologies have been so widely studied and levels of command. Does more information discussed, that the principal features of a increase 'battlespace awareness', or simply putative military-technical revolution are swamp the decision-maker? Does it allow known (though we should always be wary of greater delegation of authority in 'flatter' nasty surprises). command structures, or concentrate decision­ Most, though by no means all, of the new making in ever-fewer, ever-more senior hands? systems are information-based. The extent to There are other technological developments which they stem from commercially-derived to note, in the fields of weapons and sensors. technologies has been often commented upon. Supersonic, stealthy, manoeuvring cruise Most previous innovations this century have missiles with multi-mode seekers, hypersonic originated from military requirements, but this (Mach 8 plus) missiles, directed energy has not always been so - steel and steam were weapons (lasers), and rail guns are the naval not developed with naval applications weapons of the future. Advanced hull forms primarily in mind. The greatest changes such as Surface-Effect Ships and Trimarans, foreseen in naval warfare today are focused on submarines with non-nuclear Air Independent computing power and new communications Propulsion (AlP), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles networks, leading to 'Third Wave Warfare', or (UAVs), and 'Stealth' designs incorporating Information Warfare (IW). Much of IW is not substantial signature reduction measures, are unique to the maritime environment, but the all developments coming to fruition. Other US Navy in particular does have its own growth areas include non-acoustic submarine implementation programmes. One is detection, increasing use of satellite Copernicus, a plan to collate and fuse all­ surveillance, positioning and communications, source information ashore, providing computer-based decision aids, infra-red specially-tailored information packages to surveillance and tracking and more advanced units afloat. It is an architecture rather than a radars. discrete system - it cannot be seen or touched, Of particular note is the American 112 A NAVAL REVOLUTION?

Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC). several factors combine to keep the problem CEC is driven by the twin requirements to manageable. Connectivity with US systems is defend against current and future advanced essential, but not necessarily having all the anti-ship missiles, and provide sea-based same sensor and weapon capabilities. theatre ballistic missile defence. It provides Connectivity is aided by the increasing use of 'sensor-netting' such that all participating units 'open architecture' systems adhering to have, in theory, identical tactical pictures, common protocols, many of them indeed the same tactical picture, with all source commercially-derived. The Americans information of a quality as if it were the unit's themselves are, for political and economic own, and exchanged by horizon-range micro­ reasons, giving a much higher priority to wave links. This complete 'sensor-to-shooter' ensuring technical and operational connectivity is achieved through the sharing of compatibility with allies, than they ever did unfiltered sensor measurement data, rather during the Cold War. So while connectivity than the processed track information with technologically advanced Americans characteristic of existing data links. The long­ cannot be taken for granted, it is neither a new standing problem of 'dual-tracking' is to be problem nor an insurmountable one. replaced by the positive advantages of Not all innovations at sea are technological. 'composite tracking'. Such an ability certainly A dramatically-changed strategic environ­ represents a significant advance over existing ment, as well as the development of new coordinated but not integrated individual technological systems, has already brought electronic combat and weapon systems, but about 'revolutionary' new operational nonetheless is part of a constant process of doctrines. Indeed, some commentators have evolution, that began with the first non-real suggested that the true RMA is a doctrinal time data links, video links and Over-the­ one.' This is so because, for the first time this Horizon targeting methods. It is claimed that century, the United states Navy and its concepts like CEC will produce a shift away maritime allies have no 'peer competitor' to from 'platform-centric' warfare towards dispute control of the oceans. Even during the 'network-centric' warfare.6 The idea that era of 'Pax Britannica' last century, the Royal individual ships are merely part of a larger, Navy was faced from the l860s on by a composite whole, however, would be familiar succession of naval rivals, principally France, to eighteenth century admirals, as well as to the Russia and Germany. The demise ofthe Soviet principal commanders at Jutland, and Union has removed any conceivable challenge notwithstanding the Nelsonian interlude in to Western naval supremacy. The Mahanian between.' Elements of CEC will also provide ideal of Command of the Sea has been new levels of integration with airborne and achieved by the West, almost by default, land-based systems like AWACS and though we should not overlook the role ofCold PATRIOT, though to some extent this War naval competition in Communism's integration is more novel to the USN than decline. Suddenly, navies have to address the some others, the RN in particular. exploitation, rather than the winning, of In passing we should note a real concern on Command of the Sea. Or at least that is so on the part of America's allies. The ability to the open oceans. Western Command, or its participate effectively in alliance or coalition lesser brother Control, of the seas is a good operations increasingly depends on having deal less secure in the littoral regions, and it is connectivity with the dominant partner - the precisely in the littorals that they are to operate. United States. This is especially so at sea, This is so because, with no-one around to where genuinely multi-national forces do dispute the high seas, navies can concentrate operate together at much lower levels than on exercising significant, even decisive elsewhere. No other nation can afford to 'buy­ influence over events ashore, which as Sir into' the RMA on anything like the same scale. Julian Corbett reminded us, is where great The ability to operate alongside American issues between nations are decided.' The move forces is not a new priority, however. And into the littorals (other peoples' coastal areas) ANAVAL REVOLUTION? 113 is exemplified by Forward Naval Presence, western powers, their own interests may be at seeking to have an early, decisive and direct stake, but hardly the survival of their country effect on events ashore, through various forms or regime, as it was during the Cold War. For of Power Projection. However, in these coastal local states, the objects of such interventions, regions an increasing number of states are able the stakes may be a good deal higher. With to dispute intervening powers control of the more at stake, our adversaries are likely to littoral, and western navies face the conflicting show less restraint, and therefore more fully to requirements of close-in Presence and stand­ exploit more limited means. off precision engagement (enabled by many of True change in the nature of war at sea may the new systems). Going in 'harm's way' in therefore be more 'demand-pulled' than other states' local environments challenges the 'supply (or technology)-pushed'. That is, the ability of US forces to achieve 'Information altered strategic environment may have far Superiority', 'Dominant Manoeuvre', more to do with the new style of maritime 'Precision Engagement' and 'Full operations, than availability of new hardware. Dimensional Force Protection', all buzz-words The dressing-up of long-established principles from Joint Vision 2010, the United States' of warfighting in new conceptual jargon 1O latest conceptual template. • should not obscure the fact that real change has Despite concerns about the extent to which occurred. Information and manoeuvre are Western control ofthe oceans can be exploited nothing new, and nor is their importance. True in the littorals, the profoundly altered nature of change at sea lies in unchallenged supremacy naval operations should not be under-rated. and its exploitation, however partial its We must also recognise the inter-relationship practical application. of technological and strategic change in the J. R. STOCKER new maritime environment. Technology LIEUT. CDR RNR enables navies to perform many of the new missions required by the new political References landscape, and conversely, doctrinal changes 'See Colin S. Gray 'The Changing Nature of Warfare?' and innovative operational concepts are also in Naval War College Review Newport, RI: Spring 'pushed' by the availability of new systems. 1996 p.9 Though the doctrinal adaptation required to 'Joseph S. Nye and William A. Owens 'America's Information Edge' in Foreign Affairs Vol.75 No.2 translate technological innovation into real MarchiApril 1996. change is stressed by almost every writer on 'See Captain E. A. Smith USN The Navy RMA War the subject, rather fewer recognise that an Games Series: April 1995-November 1996' in Naval RMA need not have a technological origin at War College Review Vol. L No.4 Autumn 1997. 'ibid p.20. all. This may, however, be precisely the 'See Captain James Stavridis The Second Revolution' situation today. New systems are certainly in Joint Force Quarterly No.8 Spring 1997. enabling navies to do new things, principally 'See Stacey Evers 'US Navy seeks fast track to by extending their reach, and also to do old revolution' in Jane's Defence Weekly 26 November things more effectively, mainly through better 1997. 'See Andrew Gordon The Rules of the Game: Jutland use of information. But many of the current and British Naval Command (London: John Murray, and future technological changes are more 1996). evolutionary than revolutionary, and so too, "See for example Jan Breemer 'The End of Naval therefore, is their effect on naval operations. Strategy: Revolutionary Change and the Future of As ever, the effect oftechnological change can American Naval Power' in Peter T. Haydon and Ann L. Griffiths (eds) Maritime Security and Conflict also be a two-way street, and where not, is Resolution at Sea in the Post-Cold War Era (Halifax often offset by asymmetrical styles of NS: Dalhousie University, 1994). warfighting (in other words, doctrines) that can 9Julian S. Corbett, Some Principles of Maritime do much to negate the advantages of new Strategy: Originally published 1911, edited by Eric systems. Moreover, asymmetries of war­ Grove (Brassey's: London, 1988) p.16. "See Admiral Jay L. Johnson 'The Navy in 2010: A fighting may be more than just those of style Joint Vision' in Joint Force Quarterly No. 14 and method. In post-Cold War interventions by (Washington DC: Winter 1996-7). 'An Empty Box' - How Accurate is Jacques Delors' Original Assessment of the Western European Union?

HE Western European Union (WEU) has debate and was a view with far from universal Tbeen the focus of much attention since its agreement during the series of Inter­ rise from obscurity in 1984 as part of an governmental Conferences (IGCs) held during attempt to strengthen the European pillar of the remainder of 1991 which culminated in the the transatlantic alliance.' This article will NATO Summit in November and Maastricht analyse the events, both political and military, in December. that have led the WEU to where it is now, and The NATO summit delivered a crucial will aim to pinpoint the position it holds endorsement of the move towards an within the critical triumvirate of NATO, EU integrated European defence policy when it and US viewpoints. It will then argue that, far formally supported the initiation and from being an 'empty box', the WEU, by development of a European 'Security embracing and then fully utilising the Identity'. In the debate the following month at Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) concept, Maastricht the WEU was awarded a 'stronger may well hold the key to the conundrum of operational role'·, although this has to be disparate defence and security aims within caveated by the fact that there was still Europe and across the transatlantic divide and disagreement on the crucial issue of whether thereby become the acceptable, independent the CFSP should be established with common continuation lock between the EU, NATO and defence as an integral part of the union, or the US. whether the WEU should remain an In 1988 the WEU invoked Art. VIII(3) of independent organisation. This rhetoric at the the Modified Brussels Treaty for the first time end of 1991 was perhaps best opined by the following the Iran-Iraq war. However it was Economist when it summarised that 'the Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990 that had the Maastricht wording [on collective security effect of driving the WEU to become, in an and defence1 will offend no one; it will informal way, the security arm of the then convince no one either". EC'. The link between the WEU and the EC Having looked at the background to the intensified during the period of Desert Shield second stage of WEU revitalisation post the and Storm when, in an attempt to demonstrate GulfWar it is necessary to analyse how far the European solidarity as a significant player in June '97 Amsterdam IGC took forward the the Gulf, the Foreign Ministers adopted a form development of the WEU. The Summit of shuttle diplomacy between the WEU and resulted in a crucial re-wording of the Treaty EU forums.' These events provided the of the Union with regard to the relationship of catalyst for the formalisation of the expanding the EU to the WEU. Maastricht stated 'the links between the WEU and the EC with the Union requests the WEU, which is an integral Foreign and Defence ministers agreeing in part of the development of the union, to February 1991 that the WEU, in principle, elaborate and implement decisions and actions should become a bridge between NATO and of the Union which have defence the EC<. At the International Institute for implications." At Amsterdam the wording Strategic Studies in London a month later was changed to 'the Union will avail itselfof Jacques Delors, in his first ever speech on the WEU to elaborate and ...'9. To examine security policy, called on the EC to 'shoulder the significance of both the change of words its share of the political and military from 'request' to 'avail itself' when responsibilities of our old nations". He went describing the relationship between the WEU on to say that he wanted the WEU to have its and the EU, and to attempt to rationalise the own multilateral forces and to come under the reasoning behind the deletion of the EC's wing. This statement sparked much prescriptive definition of the role the WEU

114 'AN EMPTY BOX' 115 was to have had within the EU, it is necessary success of the IFOR forces in Bosnia as an to go to 1995 and examine the member states' example ofwhat NATO could achieve, the US views and, pivotally, the views then held by believed that the lessons learnt could be the US. applied to make the alliance more effective In February 1995 the Prime Minister, John and flexible in the conduct of post-Cold War Major, spoke out strongly in an address before operations. They envisaged that these changes a special session of the WEU in London would be centred around the CJTF concept against 'encumbering the Union with military which would allow for greater flexibility in responsibilities' and argued that it would do the deployment of NATO forces and assets nothing to enhance the EU's political and involving different mixes of contributing economic influence in regional security nations. A formal declaration of intent, issues 10. The British view, shared by others, political and military, was made by the US was that the WEU should act either as a Secretary of Defence, William J. Perry, in a 'bridge' between the EU and NATO or as a speech to the WEU Transatlantic Forum in 'wholly owned subsidiary of both'. However June 1996 when he said '... [the] CJTF will during this debate the Achilles heel of the permit such things as operations led by the WEU, its lack of political machinery and WEU using NATO assets, and it will allow the military equipment to be able to mount European members to strengthen their new operations and deploy forces quickly, was security and defence identity' 13. uppermost in all politicians' and military So could the WEU be effective with the planners' minds. The answer was delivered in crutch of the CJTF and could it mount an a report by the WEU Council to its Assembly effective operation? The Economist noted that in March 1995 when it said 'the strengthening any CJTF-Ied operation, with elements of the of the WEU's operational role depends ... on alliance's HQ structure matched to those NATO's elaboration of the Combined Joint troops involved, could be run by the WEU Task Force (CJTF) concept'll. 'should the Americans choose not to join' the The degree to which the CJTF concept of a relevant task force l4 . The distinction is deployable, multinational, multiservice important. It has to be accepted that US formation generated and tailored for specific support forces would be involved in any large military operations would be embraced would scale or out-of-area operation due to the be dictated in general by NATO and in inevitable requirement for strategic lift, particular by the US. Also, since it would intelligence and communications facilities depend on potentially huge commitments of that only they could provide. As soon as any US resources to Europe or European derived substantial front line forces were involved it is interests, public opinion in the US would be highly unlikely that anything other than a critical. Barbara Conry, foreign policy analyst NATO command structure, with direct US at the Cato Institute in Washington, argued involvement, would be acceptable to the that the WEU, as the 'security arm of the Americans. The realistic, although somewhat European Union', should replace NATO as cynical, view was that in private the US would the prime guarantor ofEuropean Security. Her continue to play down the theme of argument was based on the perception that Europeanisation and argue that there was whilst Europe has at its heart many common unlikely to be a security crisis in Europe that security interests, in contrast the views of the they would not want to be involved in, and 12 US and Europe were steadily diverging • therefore there would be little need for a Happily for Europe and the WEU, Conry's WEU-led force. The French view that since it views were not shared by the Clinton had taken some time to involve the US in Administration as, far from wanting to pull Bosnia, then perhaps there may well be an back from their commitments to NATO, they occasion when Europe would be left alone, wanted to embrace Europe and allow it, with may also have had some validity at the time l5 . US support, to continue to strive for a united, So back to 1997 which would be a repeat of peaceful Europe. Having held up the relative 1991 with dual summits of the EU and NATO .~~~~~~~~~------

116 'AN EMPTY BOX' in June and July respectively. The Amsterdam This unequivocal endorsement of the use of Summit resulted in a political agreement on WEU-Ied NATO forces was coupled to a the future role ofthe WEU within Europe. The directive to continue with further development carefully crafted statement allowed for of the CJTF concept which went so far as to differing conclusions to be drawn by the note that WEU-Ied CJTF's could allow for the member states, with the Telegraph headlining possible participation of non-NATO forces as 'Tony Blair last night claimed victory in his part of the development of ESDP'. battle to prevent the EU being turned into a So what of the future of the WEU? It is military alliance' .16 It commented that as Blair clear that NATO is forging ahead with both had also claimed to have ruled out any the CJTF and a willingness to encourage and commitment for a merger between the WEU embrace the ESDI which includes the and EU the foundations for a European Army, provision for the WEU. The position of the pressed for by France and Germany, would Europeans is perhaps harder to define. Britain, not be laid. So was Blair's view signalling the as the strongest proponent against the end of the WEU dream? Tim Butcher, the formation or adoption of a European Defence Defence Correspondent in the Telegraph, force, argues for maintaining the status quo thought not. Also commenting on the day after with the WEU remaining as an autonomous the Amsterdam Summit 17 he agreed that organisation but cannot argue against the Blair's opposition to the WEU was clear, but concept of its operating as an alternative to only in terms of it (the WEU) being put NATO, albeit with full NATO support both forward as a predominant force to NATO. politically and militarily, in an agreed fashion However the overall message from the at an agreed time. This appears, post detractors, principally the UK but supported Amsterdam, to be the agreed EU line. In so far by Denmark and the four EU neutral states, as the WEU is concerned, the hook on which a and commentators post Amsterdam was clear; workable and acceptable NATO-WEU link the WEU was not, and could not be, a can be hung and maintained is of course the substitute for NATO, but it could and should CJTF. With such a ringing endorsement by be complementary. NATO in Madrid and, crucially, the support The following month the NATO summit that the US has given, it would take a volte­ met in Madrid and whilst fully aware of the face ofmonumental proportions to prevent the revised EU position on the WEU, they were further development of a CJTF structure that also clear about the manner in which the US would enable a WEU-led, NATO-supported, had laid out its stall with regard to loaning operation being mounted in the future. NATO forces to a WEU-sponsored, CJTF-Ied, Finally, the long-term position of the US operation. It was therefore not surprising that has to be considered. There is no doubt that the Madrid Declaration reflected what had the Americans are fully supportive in the open been signalled earlier in the year by the US arena of the development of ESDI, and are Secretary of Defence when it declared keen to see the CJTF con~pt put into effect 'We reaffirm . .. our full support for the with the WEU leading forces including NATO development ofthe ESDI by making available units. However, it is also clear that there is not NATO assets and capabilities for WEU unilateral support for NATO and NATO operations. With this in mind, the Alliance is operations beyond the shores of the building ESDI grounded on solid military continental US. It is not unrealistic to surmise principles and supported by appropriate that the development of the WEU as an military planning and permitting the creation organisation that could lead NATO forces of militarily coherent and effective forces with limited US forces, and perhaps no front­ capable of operating under the political line US assets at all, could satisfy the US control and strategic direction of the WEU. electorate that their 'boys' were not going to We endorse the decisions . .. in this regard be drawn into a future European security which serve the interests of the alliance as crisis. well as ofthe WEU'''. The WEU has come a long way since 1984 'AN EMPTY BOX' 117 and, whilst it may not have developed exactly 1990-2', International Affairs, Vol 68, No.2. 'Duke, S. (1996), n.2. as Jacques Delors envisaged, it now holds a 'Grant, C. (1994): 'Delors, Inside the House that key position at the heart of tpe NATO, EU and Jacques Built' (Nicholas Brealey Publishing). US triumvirate. The reasons are not just 'Gates, D. (1995), n.!. military, and certainly not just driven by the 'Economist (1991) 'Europe's Dutch Treat', 14 imperatives of European Defence and December. "Maastricht Treaty Art J 4.2 (My italics). Security but does it matter? It has the support 'Amsterdam Treaty Art J 7.3 (My italics). of the EU in its current form as they can avail "'Smith, Sir Dudley, President of the WEU Assembly in themselves of it when required; it satisfies 'UK Argues for WEU to Remain Autonomous' individual national considerations and it is Aviation Week and Space Technology (AWS) Vol 144 backed by NATO and the US. Despite the Iss 11, 11 March 1996. "WEU Doc 1458 (1995) The Future of European somewhat machiavellian manner in which it Security and Preparations for Maastricht II. has evolved the WEU has an assured future "Conry, B., 'The Western European Union as NATO's and, far from being an empty box, it has the Successor', Cato Institute Policy Analysis No. 239, 18 potential to be both effective in its own right September 1995. www.cato.orglpubs/pas/pa-239.htm. and to ensure a continuing hard link between "Perry; William J., US Sec of Defence: Speech 'Second Chance to Build a Whole Europe' delivered to WEU Europe, NATO and the US. Transatlantic Forum, Washington, 25 June 1996. R. C. R. WELLESLEY www.defenselink.mil:80. "Economist (1996), 'NATO acquires a European COMMANDER, RN identity' 8 June 1996. "Economist 8 June 1996. References "Helm, T & Lockwood, C. 'Blair heads off European 'Gates, D. (1995): 'The UN and Europe's Security Army' The Daily Telegraph, 17 June1997. Institutions: Dashed Expectations?', The Strategic and "Butcher, T. 'EU forces lack the clout to take on Combat Studies Institute Occasional No. 14. NATO's role' The Daily Telegraph, 18 June 1997. 'Duke, S. (1996): The Second Death (or the Second '"Art. 18, Madrid Declaration on Euro-Atlantic Security Coming?) of the WEU', Journal of Common Market and Co-operation - issued by Heads of State and Studies Vol. 34, No.2, June 1996. Government at the meeting of the North Atlantic 'Salmon, T. (1992): Testing Times for European Council in Madrid, 8 July 1997. Political Co-operation: The Gulf and Yugoslavia, "'Art. 17, Madrid Declaration, 8 July 1997. Bombing Baghdad - a 'Just War'?

HE Gulf crisis over United Nations' time without causing disproportionate harm.' T inspectors carrying out inspections in In much of the debate I would suggest that Saddam Hussein's palaces appears to be over some at least have been guilty of muddled and a bombing campaign averted - at least for thinking. In particular I believe that there has the present. As a member of the Church of been muddle concerning the legal and moral England I was interested by the arguments issues as to whether Iraq might be attacked. offered by church leaders as to whether the The legal and moral issues are separate but country would have been right to have carried have been identified with one another in some out an attack on Iraq. A statement by the quarters. Bishop of Oxford, an expert in the ethics of Much Christian thinking about the warfare, suggested that subjecting the legitimacy of war uses the Just War criteria. potential conflict to the Just War criteria These, indeed, were used by the Bishop of resulted in no clear conclusion being reached. Oxford and the Archbishop of York. These He concluded, 'I have spoken to military criteria are a historical set of criteria by which experts, strategic experts and others. No one any potential conflict can be judged. The feels at all certain about which is the right, that criteria began with Saint Augustine and have is, the least destructive course of action.' In subsequently been refined by Aquinas and his speech in the House of Lords he was bold other figures up to the present day. They state enough to admit that governments 'may be in that a war is just where (i) it is undertaken by possession of facts unknown to the rest of us a legitimate authority; (ii) it is undertaken for and indeed there may be an actual policy that a just cause; (iii) it is undertaken as a last is different from the declared one. For these resort; (iv) there is a formal declaration of war; reasons a certain reticence from church (v) those engaging in the war must have a leaders is appropriate at this stage.' In his reasonable hope of success; (vi) the evil and speech in the House of Lords, however, he damage which the war entails must be judged shifted his position a little by agreeing that in to be proportionate to the injury it is designed the end of the day military strikes could not be to avert; (vii) non-combatants must be ruled out as an ethical option. immune from attack; and (viii) the methods of Then the Archbishop of York set out very war must not result in disproportionate harm clearly in the Yorkshire Evening Press the for any of the populations involved, or for problems that would have been involved third parties. whatever the decision taken. Surveying many Cardinal Hume's letter suggested that there ofthe issues and dilemmas in a similar fashion might be disproportionate harm caused to the to the Bishop of Oxford, he concluded that Iraqi population. There was also the 'there are no easy options or answers in this suggestion that the military objective itself present crisis.' He did imply, however, that in was unclear. If the objective was to destroy the end of the day a bombardment could be Saddam Hussein's arsenal of chemical and seen as a moral option. Oxford and York biological weapons then this is an objective seemed very close. which was unlikely to have been achieved. From the opposite side of the globe the Chemical and biological stockpiles are simply Archbishop of Melbourne urged his too mobile. If, however, recognising this fact, government to reconsider its decision to send the aim were to have been to destroy as much troops to support the American intervention. of that arsenal as possible but also to inflict He clearly saw any attack on Iraq as wrong. such damage on the Iraqi military machine On the Roman Catholic side Cardinal Basil that the delivery of such weapons would have Hume wrote to the Prime Minister saying, 'I been seriously weakened then such an must confess to having strong doubts about objective might have been achievable. The whether it is possible to identify a specific military planners and politicians would have military objective which stands a good chance had to have made a pragmatic judgment based of being secured by the use of force at this upon available intelligence. Whether the

118 BOMBING BAGHDAD -A 'JUST WAR'? 119 achievement of such an objective would have debates in both the British House ofCommons involved 'disproportionate harm' would again and the House of Lords it was said that we be a matter for the politicians and military should not allow the authority of the United planners. Most of us, including Cardinal Nations to be flouted. That is correct but I Hume, do not have the necessary facts. For would suggest again that at this stage of the our discussion on the morality of a bombing proceedings an attack on Iraq should only campaign it could be argued that the relevant have been begun where the United Nations criteria could have been met. Security Council had itself officially called for The more difficult question is to decide such action. The statement put out by the whether, in the words of the Just War criteria, Bishop of Oxford did say that the legitimate the bombardment would have been for a 'just authority for prosecuting a war in this instance cause.' Certainly Saddam's arsenal sounds was that of the United Nations. That being the horrific. According to the United Nations Iraq case I believe that he denied his own premise may have as much as 200 tons of the VX when he declared that military strikes could be chemical, enough to kill everyone on earth seen as a moral option according to the Just according to the US Defence Secretary, War criteria. William Cohen. 1 It is also suggested that It is all right saying that the authority of the Saddam Hussein may have stocks of United Nations should not be flouted; but how botulinum toxin and bacterium clostridium. would it have looked if the United Nations Robin Cook, the British Foreign Secretary, themselves had not sanctioned a said in the House ofCommons debate that 'the bombardment? It would have meant that one volume on which Saddam hopes to produce half of the Security Council would have been such weapons is on such an irrational scale doing something with which the other half that it leaves frightening questions over his disagreed. I would therefore agree with Lord intentions.' Owen when he said that 'it would be far, far I believe that with regard to the possession preferable if we can get unanimity among the of chemical and biological weapons that the United Nations Security Council and a United Kingdom and the United States had the resolution authorising the use of force'. The law on their side. The 1991 cease fire Foreign Secretary himself seemed at one point resolution required Saddam Hussein to make a to agree with Lord Owen when he said that disclosure within 15 days of all Iraq's nuclear, 'there should be a further Security Council chemical and biological weapons and their resolution to demonstrate to Saddam Hussein capacity to deliver them. The maintenance of and the rest of the world that any action that is the cease fire depended on that condition taken by the US and the UK is action that has being met. Intelligence provided by the support of international consensus.' Mr Lieutenant General Hussein Kamil, Saddam Cook could have been in the unenviable Hussein's son in law, indicated that that position of ordering an attack on Iraq having condition had not been met. It was he who failed to have obtained the Security Council's provided the information which pointed to agreement. Mr Cook wanted the moral concealment of biological and chemical authority as well as the legal authority but weapons in Saddam's presidential palaces. might have been forced to act with the Legally, therefore, the cease fire became backing of legal authority only. Gerald ineffective. As such one could rightly argue Kaufman, in his speech in the House of that the bombing campaign was legal. Commons debate, suggested that clearance However, I would argue that the cease fire from the UN would have been 'laudable', but resolution itself, when it was originally not necessary. I suggest that such clearance formulated, did not envisage a situation some would have been necessary for any seven years down the line when the war might bombardment to have been just. be restarted. I would suggest that a war ought In the Gulf War of 1991-2 a coalition of only to be restarted following the agreement thirty nations joined forces against Saddam of the United Nations Security Council. In the Hussein. In the latest stand offonly the United 120 BOMBING BAGHDAD -A 'JUST WAR'?

States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Archbishop of York's article and the Australia and New Zealand were willing to statements by the Bishop ofOxford, is that the attack Iraq. And on purely pragmatic grounds Just War criteria alone offer only limited would a war that set much of the west against guidance in helping us to decide whether a nearly all of the Arab nations have been a war is just. There are many pragmatic good course of action? And what if Middle consequences to be weighed and decisions to Eastern terrorist organisations and the state of be taken, often based on political judgment Israel had come into the frame? and military intelligence. The Just War criteria Saddam Hussein has backed down on this alone are unable to determine the morality of a occasion. I believe it may not be too long conflict in such a complex situation.' before he puts the United Nations to the test again. This time it will be Britain's job to DAVID G. KIBBLE ensure that wide ranging support is LIEUT. CDR, RNR forthcoming from within the United Nations before any military action is initiated. Going it References alone, or nearly alone, might be legally 'Army Quarterly and Defence Journal, 128, 1998, justifiable but it would not be morally correct. p.109. The journal also reports that the key workers in And the purely practical consequences of Iraq's biological weapons effort were educated in the failing to gain such support could be UK and that UN weapons inspectors suspect that Iraq may have conducted tests of biological weapons on disastrous. prisoners captured in the Iraq-Iran war. One final observation: what emerges from 2 Cf also David G. Kibble, 'A Theology for the Nuclear this short paper, and very clearly from the Debate,' Churchman, 99,1985. Maritime Rules of Engagement - a Postwar History of the British Experience - II Further developments - from the Falklands to the Gulf

The Falklands Conjlict the interpretation of hostile intent is fraught y the end of the 1960s rules of with difficulty. On the other hand international B engagement were laid down in national operations are more likely to need a library of publicati;ns on tactical and fighting rules contained in a more specific standard instructions, based on the experience to date reference book, given the differences in the which was updated during the 1970s, not least various national approaches. It is worth as a consequence of the so called fish wars off mentioning in passing that the perceived need the coast of Iceland, though these were based by NATO to write special ROE for the' more on stopping and riding off Icelandic Adriatic operation SHARP GUARD, which gunboats than on warfighting. By the time of was in fact carried out by a Royal Navy the invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982 captain using all the residual British the UK had reached the stage of combining all experience on the subject, reflects much of the the rules for land, sea and air operations into a authoritative thought on this aspect of the single national joint warfare publication matter which considers that it is better to re­ available for all three services which had been write rules for particular operations. extant for three years. At this stage the first The special isolated position ofthe Falkland ever edition of NATO maritime rules had been Islands and South Georgia did indeed in force a mere two and a half years and there facilitate the rule of engagement problem in was no question that any other than UK that there were unlikely to be any other national rules would be used for the operation, nationalities in the area, but this did not apply even though they were tailored to a to the route of the transit to the area through confrontation with the Warsaw Pact and the South Atlantic and the force had certainly not to a sea train stretching 12,000 considerable problems with reconnaissance miles. It also became evident that different aircraft. At one time the Task Force rules were needed for a. the Total Exclusion Commander even expressed a wish to shoot Zone, b. the approaches to the Total Exclusion down the shadower in 'flagrant defiance ofmy Zone and c. the area around Ascension Island, own Rules of Engagement, perhaps to save particularly as it was considered most ships and lives in my own force'. He then important not to precipitate hostilities in any asked for a change in rules and to his surprise way. It was therefore decided to take the received approval subject to the aircraft being national joint warfare publication rules but within a specific range and positive amend them by special prefixes and suffixes, identification. After several passes outside the looking at specific rules for specific range an aircraft came heading straight for the operations. 12 special rules, with one other force next day. With missile systems locked subsequently added on, were drawn up for on and about to fire, a final check revealed that submarine operations which were the aircraft was on a direct line running from significantly different from those that had Rio de Janeiro to Durban and positive been envisaged against the Soviet Union. identification by a Sea Harrier revealed a Of course it is easy to write national rules Brazilian civil airliner, the consequences of for a single operation and the experience ofthe the shooting down of which, could have had Falklands indicated that it was probably better such a reaction that it might have caused the to re-write or adjust the rules so that they are operation to be abandoned in the face ofworld tailored to the particular operation, although hostility and horror,' Such are the problems of this does not obviate the need for flexibility. ROE in the period before hostilities and they The definition of a hostile act, for example, is take one back to the classic argument between reasonably easy to specify and understand, but hostile intent and act.

121 •

122 MARITIME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT -A POSTWAR HISTORY - II

Admiral Woodward goes into great detail in escape avenue should one prove necessary. discussing the considerable problems of the The one really difficult problem was to change commander of a major force in interpreting the rules of engagement to allow an attack to ROE in this interim period before hostilities be carried out on the cruiser Belgrano outside are joined and, what is more, ensuring that all the total exclusion zone before contact with his commanders had a similar outlook to his on her was lost and this was complicated by the interpreting them. The difficulty ofreconciling fact that the submarines were being controlled the politicians' aim for the British to be seen as from the UK and not by the Task Force not being the instigator of hostilities and the Commander. 12 commander's very real fear that he could not afford to lose a carrier is covered in graphic Lessons learnt detail. However once he reached the vicinity of In the subsequent analysis of the operation, the total exclusion zone with the freedom to in spite of the single nation scenario, it was engage any Argentine targets in it, many ofhis considered that the ROE in use were too problems disappeared and he had a much more elaborate and there was a feeling that political straightforward approach. control was getting in the way of warfighting. As Admiral Woodward put it on his passage By the end of the 1980s it was decided that the down south, in considering a response to one rules should be rewritten and geared around commanding officer who was champing at the three key elements. In the first place they had bit and eager to push ahead of the force and to be revised to avoid their containing a take early action, 'I shall have to amplify the mixture of prohibitions and permissions, ROE so that all the Commanding Officers can which one expert described as a deadly know what I am thinking rather than apply combination because eventually they will their own interpretations.' 10 One of his come into conflict. Permissions should go into commanding officers, Commander Chris the operation order because they are missions, Craig, later himself to be the commander of a whereas limitations should be contained in the Royal Navy wartime task force, this time in ROE and in some ways this bears a the Gulf Conflict, testifies to the efficacy of resemblance to the French approach to the this principle in that, as a consequence of subject which will be briefly explained in the regular contact with the commanding officers summary. The second key element was that over secure speech, none had any doubt as to one had to determine the political aim out of his intentions and also all were put on their three choices, de-escalation, preserving the mettle by snap unexpected questions which status quo or escalation (these are known as tested out the potential response within the political objectives) and, finally, once this was ROE. By the time Commander Craig came established it is most important to have into action in mid-May he felt that he had sufficient forces to be able to enforce the given unambiguous and very robust ROE which ROE. This last point is not well understood by allowed him to conduct a highly successful politicians, and experts in the military see the night engagement under the principle that he period from the Falklands War to the Gulf only required belief that the contact he Conflict as a ten year education process for the engaged was involved in clandestine politicians in the United Kingdom. Closely operations. Thus he opened fire at six miles, aligned with the determination of the political sank the target at four miles and it was never aim is the principle used by UK forces of seen. The lesson he drew from his experience adopting what is called a profile of operations was the importance of initial homework by which in practice means that the force is constructing and anticipating scenarios." allocated a group of rules to conform with the While there was a balanced sense of restraint, desired profile and aim ofthe force concerned. there was also the strong feeling that one must This does not mean that changes cannot be not be a catalyst for disaster and must not take made as circumstances change, but it provides the first hit. The self defence clause overriding an initial suite of complementary rules all other rules was seen as a most helpful designed to meet the aims of the operation. MARITIME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT -A POSTWAR HISTORY - II 123 North Atlantic exercises particularly in the build-up period, known in There was another field which contributed the USA as DESERT SHIELD, the fact that to the British development of thought in this nations in general find it easier to dispose area and this was in the Atlantic Strike Fleet, maritime forces as a symbol of concern, than of which a Royal Navy force formed a land or air forces which represent real significant part in the form of the Second commitment, not least because ships can be Carrier Strike Group, later to become the confined to international waters thus not ASW Strike Force. During the mid-1980s infringing any territorial rights and are when Admiral Mustin was politically less contentious to the electorate. COMSTRIKFLTLANT and Admiral Oswald Thus in 1990 after the invasion of Kuwait by was COMASWSTRIKFOR the dialogue Saddam Hussein relatively few nations between the two national afloat commanders disposed land or air forces to the support ofthe was particularly good. It was to this force that allied operations, but large numbers sent ROE would most likely be pertinent and the maritime forces to the area, such that there relatively recent publication of NATO ROE in was an embarrassment of resources. This 1979 gave the subject an impetus that was complicated the embargo operations, eagerly taken up by the two nations whose particularly as the national ships or groups own national policies were well ahead of the operated under differing ROE. Worse, the rest of the world, but who, until the NATO reluctance of nations to compare ROE suites rules were published, lacked a common forum definitely precluded, with very few for exercising the philosophy. Therefore great exceptions, combined boarding operations. If premium was placed on the subject, which nations found it easier to allocate ships to the was given added emphasis by the potential allied effort, the ROE attitude of each nation problems, which were even more relevant to soon revealed the real commitment to the forces in the Mediterranean, posed when a effective action. Although the precise rules Soviet 'Charlie' class submarine was marking were not known, it was evident that a carrier. The debate centred around deciding differences in ROE stemmed from the degree what actions in such circumstances might of robustness of nations in putting themselves constitute hostile intent. The Naval Warfare forward with real intent. Ifthe starting point of Committee was a forum in which the Atlantic commitment is clear then so are the ROE. In Strike Fleet commanders met to discuss such those countries with a similar system of issues and Admiral Mustin's admonition that political control to that ofthe United Kingdom 'no Commanding Officer is required to wait there was probably a lack of clarity within the for incoming mail' is fondly recalled. There civil service and in presenting the issues to was also an arrangementfor what was called ministers. Even in the UK MOD there was battle fleet input training in which ROE games perhaps a reluctance to push the civil service were frequently played. However, the secretariat to think all the issues right through. consequence of this was that it highlighted the However, the preparation was there and all differences and disparities between NATO ships being deployed to the Gulf sent their and national doctrines on the subject and from command teams to the Maritime Tactical a British perspective this was most evident at School to play in all aspects games focused the level of the UK Commander in Chief around ROE. Fleet, who also held the NATO posts of In assessing the main players among other CINCHAN and CINCLEASTLANT.13 It was nations the US, Australia and France did not incidentally to this appointment that Sir Julian share rules with the UK. The Dutch, if perhaps Oswald, with his heightened sense of under some political constraint, were known perspective on the subject, went next in 1987. to be in unison, but there is a history of common effort between these two nations The Gulf War engendered by a great similarity in approach Here was a situation unique in post war and mutual respect to which can be added the history in an operation that reflected, experience and confidence gained over many 124 MARITIME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT -A POSTWAR HISTORY - II

years of operating together in the dedicated WEU area as 'positively cloying' to UKINetheriands Amphibious Force. the tactical deployment of forces. Even with There were some combined boarding British liaison officers aboard the US operations, generally between American, command ships and a good dialogue with Australian and British forces, not least in the Admiral Arthur in USS Blue Ridge and action against the Ain Zalah in December Admiral March in USS Midway, the UK force 1990. This was a time ofconsiderable political commander found the Americans ultra concern because at that period there was a so sensitive and unforthcoming about the plan for called 'peace ship' (Ibn Khaldoon) with war. This affected the degree of forward considerable numbers ofwomen on board also commitment which was considerably proceeding to the Gulf and it was felt that this constrained by this state of affairs. would need to be handled fairly sensitively. Commodore Craig is convinced that this led to There was no doubt that the US had the most the substantial mining threat because the area robust set of rules of all the nations and as far was not covered. Forces were not permitted as the boarding operations were concerned north of a line from the Dhorra Oilfield and there was concern among other nations that therefore the allies were not allowed to deploy they were too forceful, an attitude that resulted maritime patrol aircraft in the threatened area in a very heavy handed approach to the crews to track and counter the mining effort or of the ships boarded. The Royal Marine allocate forces to establish a hold in the boarding parties, who themselves had the fighting area. Even the Canadians and potential to be extremely tough if ever Australians were not in a position to say how required to do so, felt that there was too much far forward they would be committed. The emphasis on physical restraint and not enough Belgians, whose potential contribution to the premium placed on the deterrent aspect of the mine countermeasure (MCM) effort was operation. This had the consequent considered essential, remained outside the presentational risk of something going Persian Gulf and were thus a constant source seriously wrong, leading to condemnation in of frustration." the world forum at a time when the allied This somewhat unsatisfactory state of forces should have been seen to have been affairs eventually resolved itself to a certain operating well within the tenets of extent by the formation of a BritishlUS international acceptability, not least with a forward force with the WEU group acting in a 'peace ship' with women onboard in the support role further south in the Gulf. The offing. In a microcosm these attitudes reflect Canadian, Australian and Dutch line hardened the differences between the European and to allow them to support the battle group. American approach to the whole subject. At There was considerable debate about the the time it was an edgy process and comparability and proportionality of risk and emphasised the need for a combined plan of indeed the subject of proportionality was action. examined exhaustively. It was considered that, for example, because of its significance a Forward Commitment disproportionate amount of risk in defending From the UK perspective there was the mine countermeasure force was immense frustration and inconvenience acceptable. However, there were additional created by nations not being honest in saying complications for even at the very late stage what forces they would commit and what they after the tum of the year the UK MCM force would do and the UK Commander, under its command ship RFA Sir Galahad was Commodore Craig, could not overemphasise available to the US under UK operational that point. There was a monthly meeting of control, but there was still uncertainty over WEU Maritime Interdiction Force which tactical control. Worse, the Royal Navy Type paralleled the meetings being held in Paris, 42 destroyers were under US tactical control France then having the Chair ofthe Union, but but until the ROE were rationalised in early one senior source nevertheless described the January, only days before the ultimatum to MARITIME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT -A POSTWAR HISTORY - II 125

Saddam Hussein expired, it was not possible countermeasure vessels, vital to the clearance for them to be fully and positively integrated of the assault and bombardment areas. In the into the US battle group, to the disadvantage anti surface warfare operations British Lynx of all concerned. helicopters combined with the US Seahawk As usual in this rationalisation process helicopters in the Northern Persian Gulf, but a everything hung on the definition of hostile great number of possible targets went intent and it was evident that the US had unengaged because of differences in attack infinitely more robust rules for their units than criteria. This was because, despite British had the UK. The British had a sensible blend briefings, the Americans did not appreciate, or of self defence measures, but it was accept, the fact that the capability of the Lynx appreciated that HMS Cardiff was the most helicopter was superior to that ofthe Seahawk. vulnerable as the most forward ship. Thus, although the Anti Surface Warfare Nevertheless the rules at that time only Commander clearly agreed the attack criteria, permitted engagement within a five mile the fact that the Lynx had the ability to use its radius unless there was positive identification passive equipment and identify targets and further out, which was considered highly was cleared by UK procedures to close targets unsatisfactory. The UK combined forces closer than the Seahawk was ignored. All theatre commander gave approval for a helicopters were limited to the attack criteria relaxation of the engagement rules, but was for the Seahawk, with the consequence that clamped down on by the MOD and his licence many targets that could have been engaged by for approval removed. This was the precursor the Lynx helicopters were in fact left for some fairly hectic diplomatic activity and unmolested. This was one of the few areas in about a week before the expiry of the which the Royal Navy had a definite edge ultimatum the two sets of rules, UK and US, over its ally, but this was not conceded, to the were rationalised and the forces were totally advantage of the enemy. Both ROE and attack integrated. There is a feeling in the UK, criteria should be constructed to take emphasised as one of the lessons learnt from advantage of the capabilities of all the forces the campaign, that had the British naval available. commander been a two star instead of a one The potential for blue on blue engagement star officer, it is possible that it might have was not a problem initially, but in due course made a difference and the problem been other Arab nations were more willing to resolved in a much more timely manner to the participate and when nations like Qatar began benefit of all forces concerned. This is one of operating Mirage Fl aircraft it was almost a the lessons to be learned for future coalition minor miracle that none ofthese was engaged. operations. It also reflects the need for Operations in the minefields off the Kuwaiti pragmatic judgments when examining ROE coast created special problems. The UK was for maritime forces, for which the stakes are firmly in favour of a total exclusion zone and much greater than, for example, for air forces was supported in this aim by the US MCM in a very complex environment. commander in USS Tripoli. All were conscious that a 'leaker' could get through the Operating Problems air defence network in spite of its Once hostilities had commenced there comprehensiveness: at risk were mission were, with one exception which will be essential forces and more than $1.5 bn if one discussed in a moment, no problems over were forced to express the commitment in ROE if forces were subject to attack, but there hard cash terms. However, the US forces were questions over contacts in the northern would not even consider this because of the part of the Gulf, largely created by the US substantial numbers of aircraft returning from national procedures that allowed no foreign raids, but it does reveal how the less disclosure. Thus the war plan for dealing with glamorous forces can be given less than due incursion from seaward was foggy, even consideration of the risks to an operation. where it concerned the protection of mine Without doubt the possibility of attack on the 126 MARITIME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT -A POSTWAR HISTORY - II

MCM force was a constant matter of concern servants, the upper echelons of whom wield among those with a direct interest. considerable power. These last are not political appointees, but are professional civil Key ROE Lessons from the Campaign servants who spend much longer in the Several lessons come out ofthe Royal Navy Ministry than their military counterparts. experience during this campaign. They act as advisers to the politicians and are a. It is no use designing a constructive not unknown to put themselves into the set of rules, if the political dimension is position of advising others what ministers are omitted. This aspect has to be considered thinking and how they are likely to respond. In by the military. this environment civil servants and politicians b. When conducting multinational had great difficulty in accepting that Rules of operations with a high risk of escalation Engagement reflected a choice when it was and pre-emption the initial war planning proposed to improve the book, which hitherto must include ROE rationalisation among was little more than a signal code with limited all the nations participating. flexibility, to one which had a comprehensive c. The earliest possible statement of set of rules, escalating to a high level of commitment must be achieved before this engagement, but which gave the politicians rationalisation of ROE. many options in responding to a given d. If they are to be effective and not situation. The possibility of substantial risk potential escalation, medium tension advances and improvement in the system were operations must be rationalised at the according to one significantly influential outset and not as affairs develop. figure bedevilled by this approach of the civil e. Paradoxically, low tension ROE are servants and he felt that there was a delay of more complex and have more potential some ten years in the development of theories for embarrassment and the 'peace ship' in this field. Because they did not understand provides a good example. If someone is the subject they had an almost malign killed during one of these episodes then intention to hold back the military and feared there is an international incident. giving them too much power, particularly at f. The correct interpretation of hostile the higher levels of the rules. This assessment act/intent remains the only thing that parallels the kinder and perhaps less accurate matters. If you get that wrong you are in viewpoint mentioned above that there was a serious trouble. ten year education process for ministers, but g. Intelligence is a boon, but the there is no doubt that the consequences were importance of correct filtering of the highly disadvantageous for the introduction of product in a lean, timely manner is an effective set of rules and this was to come fundamental to the manner in which one to light in due course. Even today after the deals with the ROE problem. For Gulf Conflict there is a feeling that with really example, if you do suddenly find a good intelligence and superb communications 'Ieaker' heading your way from the we have the infrastructure for the coastline, what is your collateral? In this implementation of rapid and effective ROE, day of a plethora of intelligence there is a yet expeditious responses could still be desperate need for informed filtering of constrained by the political process. There is a the information. perception among the military in some quarters of the Ministry of Defence that other Central control of the decision making European nations have a less constrained process system and are able to clear changes more In considering this subject it is important to quickly. This is not entirely true, though the bear in mind that the power within the MOD British system is probably the most thorough lies in the Central Staff formed of officers of ofall, but in being so is also probably the most all three services with substantial civilian constrained. The French system is worth participation in the form of MOD civil mentioning here because it has an admirable MARITIME RULES OF ENGAGEMENT -A POSTWAR HISTORY - II 127 logic about it. It is divided into two sections, schools still exists today. Nevertheless there is rules of engagement and rules of behaviour. a feeling among the military that they do have Control of the former, which involves the ability to judge when to respond and anything which leads to the actual firing of a interpret hostile intent and act. Whereas they weapon, is very firmly in the hands of the feel they might not be able to do anything French Government. However, the latter, about the launch vehicle, they do feel which involves every other aspect of confident in the ability to destroy the missile interaction between forces, such as proximity subsequently fired and thereby avoid taking of approach to potentially hostile units or the action that might initiate hostilities or raise the conduct of boarding operations, remains level of conflict prematurely. There is a under the control of the military. Thus the maturity and stability in this attitude born of rules of behaviour can be invoked without sound training and professionalism, balanced involving politicians, but there is a guiding by an acute awareness of the political principle felt by all concerned that the dimension. government must never be put in an embarrassing position. General principles Politicians and particularly civil servants in Rules today must give adequate authority the UK have greater control, but this does without the need to refer back to the operating have the end product that the political aim is authority. When examining political fully reflected in any operation and at the end directives it is most unlikely that one will ever of the day, in a democracy, the military are the be asked to escalate the situation, but if this servants of the politicians. did occur it is essential that the force It is interesting to note that when Iran began commander has robust ROE with which to to acquire Kilo class submarines, the Royal defend his own units. As far as the freedom to Navy wished to change the anti-submarine change rules of engagement is concerned, warfare rules for ships on the Armilla patrol in bearing in mind the very high quality special the northern Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and communications and intelligence picture Persian Gulf. Without the imperative of available, it is desirable that the MOD should conflict, by the time the issue had been increase the extent to which responsibility is debated with civil servants, law officers and delegated to an authority with accountability, politicians, it took six months to implement preferably the theatre commander, but if not the changes, a period which left the Royal that, at least to the controlling four star Navy feeling distinctly uneasy. However, headquarters. This, however, is something the there is no doubt that all the potential civil servants and politicians might well have ramifications had been thoroughly addressed difficulty in accepting, but would lead to a and argued and that the rules subsequently much more effective mechanism for adopted met every political requirement. In implementing rules to suit the tactical peacetime ofcourse there is the luxury of time situation. and issues can be over analysed, as they almost certainly were in this case, whereas G. A. S. C. WILSON once conflict is likely speedy action is essential and any delay in the latter References circumstances can be critical so that rapid 'Admiral Sandy Woodward, One Hundred Days (Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1992) pp. 101-103. decisions have to be made. lOibid, p.100. In general highly placed commanders have "Author's conversation with Commodore C. J. S. a concern that they must avoid taking a hit, Craig, CB, DSC, Royal Navy, 28 July 1993. particularly on a high value unit, whereas "Admiral Sandy Woodward, One Hundred Days there is a determination on the political front (Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 1992) p.153-8. "Author's conversation with Admiral of the Fleet Sir that military forces should not be seen to be Julian Oswald, GCB, 26 July 1993. too aggressive unless the enemy performance "Author's conversation with Commodore C. J. S. warrants it and this tension between the two Craig, CB, DSC, Royal Navy, 28 July 1993. ,

Leaders and Managers: Chalk and Cheese

BEGAN this piece originally as an be individualistic, or negligent, about I examination of Professor Norman Dixon's dress. His peacetime career ascent is often description of Authoritarian and Autocratic difficult because he lacks the docility Officers, sometimes, also referred to as convenient to his immediate seniors and Regulators and Ratcatchers, see below. he is typically considered disruptive. In Professor Norman Dixon: 'On the wartime it falls to him to clear up the mess Psychology of Military Incompetence' ... (A) pioneered by the Authoritarian Officer The Authoritarian Officer: The who gained preferment over him in the Authoritarian Officer joins the Armed years of peace. Forces to make a virtue out of various Whilst this examination has its place I personality disorders which make him rapidly came to the conclusion that it was also particularly adaptable to military life. unhelpful in that it did not explore or identify These problems can, allegedly, range the requirement, selection and training of from childhood scatology, through Leaders and Managers nor suggest that there parental neglect, sexual repression and are good and bad officers who might portray virility self doubts, to a need for peer Authoritarian or Autocratic traits. In this, group approval and promotion with Dixon's statement might be accused of being which the peacetime armed services both divisive and simplistic in that it fails to award conformity. He draws self esteem address the different shades of leadership and from the status imparted by his rank and management styles necessary in both a uniform. He defers naturally to seniority wartime and peacetime Navy, whilst and obeys orders to the letter, loves order appearing to agree with the old adage that both and ceremony, is meticulous in attention Authoritarian and Autocratic Officers are born to detail and is often paranoid about and not made; that education has no place to cleanliness. He is strong in sequential play. In this I disagree. On the other hand, a reasoning processes, suppresses his Senior Officer, in his opening remarks to a imagination, rejects information which recent Maritime Warfare Course, asked the conflicts with his (and his seniors') question 'would anyone wish to employ the preconceptions, and is fearful ofusing his Autocratic Officer, no matter how admirable initiative. He is often prudish, idolises his qualities'? The question that appeared to women (a state of mind assisted by fall from both these observations was 'do we, unfamiliarity), shuns publicity and seeks as a Navy, require a balance of different types safety in secrecy. He keeps an unblotted of officers, or not?' It is my conjecture, if we copybook and thus gains unhindered are to succeed through both war and peace, advancement in peacetime. But he is that one of our most critical requirements is to easily disorientated by the crisis and identify the different types and ensure that dilemmas of war, and responds they are promoted and retained for when they inappropriately or not at all. are needed most, in other words 'keeping our The Autocratic Officer: The Autocratic powder dry'. This piece sets out to look at how Officer is approximately the reverse of to differentiate and cater for the differing the above. He tends to think laterally, requirements of Leaders and Managers. The rather than serially, and his convictions second question that I attempt to answer in this often follow instincts. He uses his paper is 'how we go about achieving a healthy initiative as a matter of habit. He is balance between the Managers and Leaders', receptive to the possibility that his juniors accepting that officers who exhibit the full might be right or his seniors wrong, and range of Authoritarian traits will always be takes his career in his own hands when he bad officers, leaders or managers. believes the latter to be the case. His attitude to hierarchy and military bull is Managers Versus Leaders - A Few Thoughts casual or even overtly ironical; he tends to 'Managers do Things Right: Leaders

128 LEADERS AND MANAGERS: CHALK AND CHEESE 129 do the Right Thing' Anon (B) 'To Achieve the Big Idea Sell the 'Steady State is Managed: Change is Small' '" (2) Led' (C) 'Leaders identify Solutions: Managers Discussion understand Problems' (D) One of the questions that I have sought to 'Leaders need Champions: Managers answer above is what defines a Managerial seek Sponsors' (E) style from a Leadership one. An Autocratic 'Leaders are Loved and, or, Hated: Officer is probably a Leader: he is Managers are Liked/Disliked' (F) inspirational, intuitive (A) and he is at his best 'Managers Staff Work: Leaders Staff in a state of change (C) often looking for Issues and People' (G) answers, outwith his own or the collective 'Leaders Teach their People: Managers experience (S). By contrast, Managers may be Train them' (H) either Authoritarian or Autocratic: they are 'Leaders are Guided by Laws: more likely to be risk aware, preferring Managers Apply the Rules' (J) compromise and the collective support of the 'Leaders are Remembered: Managers majority (X) to back-up their decisions. What are Forgotten' (K) Professor Norman Dixon fails to acknowledge is that different types of officers are necessary Managers - A Thought within an Armed Force that is likely to spend 'Wineglass "Stem" Theory: 95% of its time at peace. This, then, raises the Recognition and Management of the question as to how we retain our good environment - superiors, peers and Managers and Leaders in peace. Here, the juniors' (L) reward factor comes into play. The Authoritarian Officer is likely to feel rewarded Leaders - Possible Identifiers by the personal esteem of promotion, honours 'Leaders are defined by Risk; they are and patronage within the system (A) (Q). The Not Risk Averse' (M) Autocratic Officer, Manager or Leader, will, 'Wars make Leaders: Leaders Win, or by contrast, judge himself against the job he is Lose, Wars' (N) presently in, those colleagues he is working for 'Leaders Know and can Articulate the and the esteem that individual and team Truth' (P) success should bring with them (V). In other words, the good Officer will, by instinct, seek Good and Bad Management and out personal challenge, whereas the Leadership Attributes Authoritarian Officer is, typically, risk averse 'The promotion of one's people: not as (M). a means to promotion' '" (Q) The Leader needs Managers to manage the 'The Control of Delegation' (R) status quo (C) thus releasing him to lead those 'The Constructive use of start up, get well or change driven projects Limitations' (S) where leadership is fundamental to success 'The Division of Them and Us' (T) (A). As soon as that challenge is over, the risks 'The Constructive use of No: to defined (M) and change has become the status Positively do Nothing' (U) quo (C) the Autocratic Leader will, by 'The Inspiration of Excellence: not inclination, wish to move on. The timing of Fear of Fault' (V) this can be significant. The Manager type, 'The Tyranny of Blame: Find the being naturally risk aware (not averse) (M), Scapegoat' (W) will seek out those jobs with a proven track record or where the hard decisions have A Few Other Thoughts / Observations already been made. In an appointing cycle, 'The Majority is always Wrong' where success lags failure, one will often see George Bernard Shaw (X) an officer being awarded for the efforts of his 'Truth is in the Middle' (Y) predecessor, for which he has contributed - 130 LEADERS AND MANAGERS: CHALK AND CHEESE nothing. If one thinks of the good Leader or 'Yes' approach typical of many officers who Manager who has dragged his failing cannot or will not say 'No'. By contrast, the Department together, re-engineered the successful Leader will, invariably, use 'No' as systems and defined the Refit it will often be an answer (D) (U). In other words, he is his successor who gains the credit for the capable of confronting the issue and making a improved reliability whilst he is left positive and defendable decision to do unrewarded. It is, therefore, quite possible, nothing, rather than saying 'Yes' and hoping that without careful management the the problem (D) will go away. In a peace time Appointing Cycle will frequently penalise the environment, where one is not expected to good, unless Captains and Squadron Staff give 'rock the boat', it will always be the more risk credit where credit is due (E) (G) (Q). aware Manager, who agrees and rarely says Similarly, an Autocratic Leader or Manager 'No', that will be preferred. This is not simply who takes over a project from an Authoritarian a question of 'Who will rid me ofthis turbulent Officer may be equally disadvantaged. In this Priest', but a recognition that Managers are case, it is likely that his predecessor, being risk generally more aware of their situation than averse (M), has not taken the difficult Leaders and are prepared to cultivate their decisions, has watched his six, ensured that he seniors (E) (L). Moreover, it is also true to is never seen to be a problem and that he is, reflect that 'like' will usually promote and apparently, meeting his milestones (A) (B) (C) prefer 'like' (F) (Q) (X). Thus, in peace time, (D) (G) (J). His successor, of a different Managers will climb the slippery pole faster mould, then discovers that the project is than Autocratic Leaders, irrespective of behind time and that the Prime Contractor has ability. By contrast, the Autocrat will only be bitten off more than he can chew. The good promoted if he is championed and that will Leader or Manager will not instinctively try to invariably be by one ofhis few in-number like apportion blame (B) (G) (W), instead he will minded Autocratic Officers promoted despite seek to scope the problem or identify solutions the prevailing system (E). and keep the Project sponsors informed (D) Note I: In order to better identify (P). So, let us say, he reports that his hi-profile individual strengths a number of project will be behind time to a Senior companies now ask for subordinates to Executive Officer (SEO), for whom delay is report on their people, along with their unacceptable. The SEO, in true Executive superiors. This is an interesting move fashion, tells him that delay will not be away from simple open reporting and tolerated and that he is held personally towards a more global picture of the responsible (W). The Equipment Project person. The results of this type of Manager (EPM) then reports to his comparative open reporting would be Procurement Line Manager who tells him that interesting. It would be my conviction the funding necessary to advance the project to that the Autocratic Leader is more likely meet the timelines will not be available and, to win the praise of his peers and juniors that by the way, 'he could far more readily than from his seniors (E) (F) (K). wreck his career than could the SEO' (V) (W). Similarly, the Manager is more likely to In this case, one would suggest that the EPM is be praised by his seniors than his juniors trapped between a rock and a hard place: the (E) (F) (L). honesty which defines him (D) (P) will be The question as to how the individual penalised by the culture in which he finds inspires and directs his people is also a good himself (T) (V) (W). indication of style. In this respect one can see This brings us onto the tricky question of that the Autocratic Leader or Manager will, promotion or, more bluntly, why Managers are more naturally, seek to promote his people preferred to Leaders. One reason is that than will the Officer who feels threatened by Autocratic Leaders will, by nature, offer any success other than his own. This is a solutions to problems (D) that have not yet maxim close to my heart, in that I believe all been confronted. This also extends into the good Leaders and Managers owe it to their LEADERS AND MANAGERS: CHALK AND CHEESE 131 people to promote their people. This is not the example of the Autocratic Officer who got to same as getting them promoted, but that the the very top because of war. Nelson and C. C. good Officer identifies within his people their Walker provide similar Naval examples of own strengths and weaknesses (S) and good teachers, autocrats and leaders of men promotes their abilities to cope (Q). Given a who came to the top at a time of crisis but particularly hi-profile project, involving a would not otherwise have done so. This leads major visit, I identified that I had little time for on to a more stark conclusion that Leaders are the simpering Staff Officer and that my phone found if not created by crisis, specific techniques left much to be desired. I had in my situations or war, (N) whereas Managers team an excellent POWRNS Writer of the old thrive within the status quo (C). The corollary school who not only knew a friend in the right to this is that, whilst Managers can win and place but had super phone techniques and who lose the peace, Leaders have the capacity to would get the required result. In this case, I win and lose the war (N). was happy to delegate the task (Q) (R), whilst Finally, I come to the two maxims which maintaining the protective cloak of have received little attention through this responsibility for failure, (V) not (W). piece, that dealing with truth being in the Whilst working in NATO for a senior middle (Y) and that to sell the big idea one Officer I fell into conversation on the art of sells the small (Z). Truth has to be found and staff-work. The General made a particularly looked for: it is not necessarily at the centre or interesting observation by asking me 'whether the Centre of Gravity, on the side of the big or not I meant staff work or staffing, and had battalions nor the lone voice (X), but the difference between the two ever been somewhere in the middle. It is the courageous pointed out to meT This came as a revelation man that looks for the truth when so easily he to me. With respect to this article the can manage the facts readily available to him. difference between the two attributes is The good Leader or Manager is also capable of suggested at (G). Taking the same line of achieving his aim by giving his people a series reasoning further one can also conclude that of tasks within their mien (Z). Again I am poor Officers are more likely to find fault in reminded of working for an excellent leader other people's 'staff work' (W) than they are who enabled me to triumph whenever I to acknowledge the excellence of the solution thought I had caught up with his thinking, only provided therein (V). to realise that he was already two steps ahead. This leads on to how Managers and Leaders In this way the Leader is not over ambitious, work within a defined environment and how he has defined the big idea (or Truth) but they bring on their people. It is my contention knows that to achieve this he must approach it that Managers are more likely to understand incrementally, at the speed of advance of his and work within the rules than are Leaders, people, and, sometimes, by subterfuge (D). who will more likely be guided by them (1). Returning to the concept of Truth, I am The fact that Managers are likely to apply rules reminded of one of the,great lines spoken by to their working environments means that they the formidable actor Jack Nicholson in the will, typically, be more prescriptive than a film 'A Few Good Men'. In the final, Leader. With respect to bringing on their remarkable court room drama, he states to the people, therefore, the Manager is more likely effete Prosecutor (in his faggoty white to instill a regime of quantifiable training to uniform) 'You cannot handle the truth'. In the achieve the required Performance Standard final analysis I would contend that it is only than the good Leader who will, more readily, the brave who can handle the truth for it is only achieve the same by Teaching from experience they that know it (P). Whatever is thought of and first principles (1) (H). Mountbatten he was a Leader of Men and One of our greatest Generals of the Second nowhere more so than when he addressed the World War was General Slim who, not by Commonwealth Armies ofIndia and Burma to accident perhaps, had also been a teacher. In tell them that 'they were the forgotten Army, the setting of this piece he is also a good but that he intended to make them otherwise' 132 LEADERS AND MANAGERS: CHALK AND CHEESE (K). This was the truth, his people knew it was Managers cannot comprehend the strengths of and loved him the more for making it so Leaders for their apparent fool hardiness, lack plainly obvious to them all and into a rallying ofdocility, disruptiveness (A) and, sometimes, call from which their great triumphs emerged. jealousy. Ironically, one concludes that the Churchill also knew the truth and, even in our very strengths that define our good Leaders darkest moment, had the courage to use it to will act against them in the risk averse, safe, inspire the people of the Empire. Our greatest mono-culture of a peace time Navy. leaders not only knew the truth, they embodied The question thus raised is how to identify it and the people they led found trust and and then to promote the Leaders? This might confidence within the truth they espoused, no at first appear difficult but, given the self matter how dark (P). selecting process for Manager types, it actually comes down to educating our good Spotting the difference - selecting the few Managers to identify and realise the potential One of the results of this examination of the of our prospective Leaders. This might indeed differences between Leaders and Managers be a big step for the Navy: it would challenge appears to be that at times other than crisis, it many of the precepts taken for granted within will be difficult to identify which officers will a peace time Navy whilst acknowledging that come to the fore in an emergency. We Managerial principles might not always be probably all like to think of ourselves as right (X). Such a process would require Leaders, which clearly cannot be the case. The something of a leap of faith, which might be defining difference appears to be that oftiming enhanced by an open reporting system that and situation, however this might also be looked down as well as up. Leaders will unclear. Good Managers are risk aware, which always be in the minority: in any hierarchical does not mean that they cannot manage or take system there will always need to be more risk when the situation so requires. Similarly, Indians than Chiefs. In this respect the bad officers will not necessarily make good Manager, who identifies and promotes the Leaders just because they are obnoxious and Leader, will actually be securing his own difficult to get on with in peace time (A). The position within the peace and, ironically good Manager, who does things right, staffs enough, the war. The problem is that the the work required, trains and promotes the promotion of Leaders will entail a certain skills of his people, understands the problems amount of risk. There are good Leaders and and risks at hand, manages his working bad Leaders, some who lead their people to environment, knows his limitations, delegates, failure and others to success and where the and applies the rules deserves sponsorship and difference between the two (often intuition or might, easily, be confused as a good Leader. luck) can rarely be calculated objectively. The The good Leader, who does the right thing, answer might be to use a template to identify responds to change, staffs issues, identifies prospective Leaders at an early stage and to solutions, teaches and promotes his people's ensure fair representation within a typical abilities to cope, imaginatively applies the law, career profile. In this way one is actually inspires his team, knows his limitations and managing the risks and providing guidelines delegates constructively should also deserve (1) for our Managers to apply. The similar sponsorship to the good Manager. The identification of Leader or Manager type reason that he does not is probably that the profiles would also greatly enhance our ability Leader will also take things that extra mile to provide constructive career advice and to beyond that of a Manager: he will state the retain those we might otherwise lose. truth as he sees it, he will take risks that managers would not, and he will be loved and Conclusion respected by his people who recognise him as One of the questions I ask in this article is if their leader. In this, Leaders and Managers Leaders need Managers and vice versa. The might be like Venus and Mars, Chalk and fact is that both groups need each other if they Cheese, so different from each other that many are to thrive and make it to their respective LEADERS AND MANAGERS: CHALK AND CHEESE 133 tops. There are good Managers and good in them. In this I was trying to illustrate the Leaders and most of us probably occupy a fact that the ratio of equipment to manpower position that is somewhere between the best of expenditure had probably swung too far them both. The key point is that Leaders and against our people and that some readjustment Managers are very different people and that was necessary. In his article, Admiral Lees we need them both. It is also true to reflect that goes on to state that a service only requires business also needs Leaders and Managers and uniformed personnel ... 'to kill or be killed'. that it is the Leaders who will, more generally, Not only do I abhor this statement, which make it to the top, supported by their more appears to fly in the face of our people as our management orientated staff. The bigger the first and best deterrence to war, but it also reward, the bigger the risk, and so businesses raises the fundamental question of whether or can also be described by whether they are led not we can have war without people, leaders (Industry, Commerce or Trade) or managed without war? A peacetime navy gets the (Banks). Most businesses are pyramidical in leadership it deserves. Whether by design or structure, therefore it follows that there will by size our officers appear to be growing for always need to be more Managers than ever greyer and less well defined (K). Perhaps Leaders and that there will always be highly we should begin to ask ourselves more clearly competent Leaders who will suffer the what we wish to be remembered for and how personal sadness of never realising their we might better define our purpose and people. potential. The trick would appear to be to Who will remember our Senior Officers of identify those people who are our Leaders and today, tomorrow? As things stand we are more those who are our Managers and to attempt to likely to remember the names of those who ensure that they are not discriminated against. have been recently court martialled by the This is not easy and will certainly require navy than those officers whose decisions organisations requiring us to look more closely brought them there in the first place. at how our officers are developed, identified Leadership is not exclusive to the Armed and nurtured. In his article on 'Critical Chaos', Forces but we are more usually defined by our Admiral Lees (NR, Jan '98) misunderstands Leaders than our Managers. Perhaps it is time the key point I was making. The fundamental to look again at how we can best employ, truth in my piece was that our people are not promote and equally develop our people simply units of work (or supporting elements) without prejudice and favour? but that they are disutilities that react differently to the levels ofinvestment we make ALSTON Churchill and the Naval Assault on the Dardanelles - II

T would be invidious to blame Churchill staff were left in his wake. By the time they I alone for this tragedy of missed opportunity caught up, he had already secured War for in working through his strategy for a naval Council approval. assault he was able to take advantage of a Ifgoings on in the Admiralty gave cause for singular absence of cross examination from concern, even more worrying was the manner the War Council and a failure by senior in which Government Ministers, and in officers in the Admiralty to express their particular the War Council, handled the concerns. In the initial stages of the planning Dardanelles issue. From the moment when its of the naval attack, there was little sign of the members unquestioningly endorsed dissent from the naval staff that was to mark Churchill's plan as announced at the meeting the subsequent months. During Churchill's of 13 January, the War Council failed to press exchanges with Carden in early January, Churchill on the details. They, like the several senior Admirals were in some way or Admirals, seem to have been swept along by other consulted and none presented any the force of Churchill's persuasive reasoning outspoken opposition to it. and stand guilty of allowing themselves to be However, it is fair to say that Churchill's dazzled by the prospect of claiming the advisers in the Admiralty were, from the start, glorious prizes that would certainly have very much less enthusiastic about the plan accrued from success and failing to consider than the First Lord. While the latter was the basic question of whether this was a forging ahead with his proposals, more practical operation of war. As the Dardanelles sanguine characters had been at work studying Commission concluded: the practicalities of a naval attack. On 5 'Looking at the position which existed on January, for example, Admiral Sir Henry 13 January, we do not think the War Council Jackson sent Churchill a memorandum that were justified in coming to a decision (on the wholeheartedly condemned any plan to 'rush' naval plan) without much fuller investigation the Straits. He estimated that such an ... We hold that the possibility of making a operation would result in numerous surprise amphibious attack on the Galipoli battleships being sunk by mines - six out of Peninsula offered such great military and eight in an initial squadron with further losses political advantages that it was mistaken and as subsequent squadrons fought through - a ill-advised to sacrifice this possibility by 'fatal error', he stated, which would leave the hastily deciding to undertake a purely naval ships vulnerable to the Turkish fleet and attack."4 totally annul their use. 23 To compound the initial error, Asquith and One explanation for the failure of the his Ministers then failed effectively to Admirals to present any real early opposition confront the implications of the increasing to the First Lord's plan is found in Churchill's groundswell of concern within naval circles self-centred management style. With an for fear of rocking the boat. As early as 20 incredibly active brain, a vivid imagination January, Hankey had informed Asquith of and a huge capacity for work, Churchill was Fisher's increasingly open unease but he too much even for Fisher and always out­ wrote to Venetia Stanley that he did not want reasoned and out-manoeuvred him. It is a Churchill to know 'of course'''; a man of testimony to his powers that he was able so compromise and consensus, he was not able to reasonably to browbeat such an adversary and deal effectively with the growing dissension. not surprising, perhaps, that the other It was Fisher's concerns that were to Admirals were unable or unwilling to stop him present the first and most vocal challenge to in full flight. In any event, Churchill was the naval assault. Despite his initial moving fast in the early days of 1915, totally enthusiasm for the venture, he had, by mid confident that his naval plan was right, and his January, so convinced himself that the

134 at

CHURCHILL AND THE NAVAL ASSAULT ON THE DARDANELLES-II 135

Galipoli campaign would bleed the resources Naval Division would be sent from Egypt. of the Grand Fleet dry, that he was on the point This meeting, although late in the day, of resignation. By 28 January, Asquith was seemed to have set the Galipoli campaign well aware of this and called a meeting with back on track with the promise of troops to him and Churchill, which appeared to resolve assist the Navy. Totalling some 50,000 men, it some of his concerns. However, at the War was a significant force. However, while the Council meeting in the afternoon, as Churchill Navy thought that these troops were to be used was outlining the preparations for the naval from the outset, Kitchener decreed that they assault, Fisher made to resign from the were only to be committed to secure the meeting and was only dissuaded by the passage of the Straits once the Navy had personal intervention of Kitchener. forced its way through. The Dardanelles Nonetheless, the groundswell of concern Commission summarised the situation continued to spiral to the extent that on 10 succinctly: February, Hankey felt obliged to write to 'The scope of the intended military Balfour that, while he supported the principle operation was left in doubt.'28 of an assault on the Dardanelles, Ironically, Churchill fully appreciated how 'from Lord Fisher downwards every dangerous this situation was and tried to work naval officer in the Admiralty who is in on the unimaginative, but immensely the secret believes that the Navy cannot powerful, Kitchener. But as he put the take the Dardanelles position without dilemma himself: troops. '26 'I had no right at this stage to complain On 13 February Admiral Jackson sent a if Lord Kitchener had said, "I am not memorandum to Carden with information and going to land on the Peninsula." I could suggestions on the reduction of the not have said, "Oh! you have broken faith Dardanelles defences and included some with the Admiralty." On the contrary, we strong views about the need to have landing had said we would try it without parties to ensure the destruction of the forts, committing him to that, and he would stating that full advantage would only be have had a right to complain if we had obtained by the occupation ofthe Peninsula by turned round and immediately demanded military force as the enemy field army would that he should undertake this very serious make passage of the Straits impossible by all military operation.''' except the most powerfully armed vessels. He So, despite the now well understood concluded by stating that a naval requirement for active military assistance to bombardment was not considered to be a force the Straits, the venture still remained a sound operation unless there was a strong naval one. Even worse, three days after the 16 military force to assist or at least to back it February War Council, Kitchener was allowed up.n Carden must have been completely to withdraw the 29th Division. confused. On the one hand ordered to conduct Churchill still harboured hopes that the a naval assault on the Dardanelles without Royal Navy might yet succeed and pressed military assistance, he was on the other being Carden to continue with the bombardment that advised that such an operation was untenable had commenced on 19 February 1915. The without the very assistance that he was to be challenge facing his fleet was immense. A denied! study of the Turkish defences of the Straits At last the Prime Minister called an would have revealed a comprehensive range emergency War Council meeting for 16 of defences which the Navy was ill-equipped February at which Kitchener, having himself to overcome. These consisted of a range of already been separately advised that a naval medieval fortresses with huge fixed gun assault was considered unsound, agreed to emplacements, from those at Sedd el Bahr and send the 29th Division in support. He also Kum Kale at the entrance to the Straits up to agreed that, if necessary, Australian and New those at Derma and Nagara at the entrance to Zealand (ANZAC) troops and the Royal the Sea of Marmara. They also included no 136 CHURCHILL AND THE NAVAL ASSAULT ON THE DARDANELLES-II fewer than six forts clustered around the establishing an effective fire. There was little Narrows which dominated, at 1,600 yards, this that the ships could do to silence their the shortest point of the Dardanelles Straits harassers as these batteries were well from the plateau of Kilid Boor and the hills concealed in the hills and could be moved to behind Chanak. Although cumbersome and different locations from one day to the next. inaccurate, the huge batteries of guns within On 7 and 8 March, the Fleet turned its these forts were capable of inflicting severe attention to the Narrows defences but to little damage on warships in the Straits as was to be effect; the mobile howitzers continued to proved during the campaign; in particular, any prove impossible to hit while the forts and fleet passing through the Narrows themselves other fixed batteries were difficult to reduce at would be subjected to a murderous weight of such long range. And all the time the morale fire. Positioned between these forts were of the Turkish gunners spurred on by their mobile batteries of howitzers which were dug German tutors was rising. in along the entire length of both sides of the Equally worrying for Carden was the Straits and presented a far more accurate, if complete inability of Keyes' minesweeper less deadly, threat to the fleet; the British fleet to make any progress in dismantling the minesweepers operating in the Straits were fields in the Narrows. These vessels were particularly easy targets for these guns. The small civilian manned fishing trawlers that final layer of defence was formed by the were barely capable of making way against minefields that had been sown from a position the strong currents in the Straits and which eight miles up the Straits for six miles through proved to be singularly vulnerable to the to the far end of the Narrows. Early ideas to harrowing fire of the mobile howitzer run the Fleet straight through these fields had batteries. Their crude sweeping wires ill sensibly been rejected and Commodore Roger equipped for the task, these improvised Keyes was put in charge of preparing a vessels were themselves vulnerable to the sweeping force to remove them. However, the mines they were supposed to clear and rarely insoluble problem that beset the fleet's managed to reach the Kephez mineflelds. On commanders as they tried to force the Straits 10 March they succeeded but were forced to was that they could not allow the battleships to withdraw after one ofthem was blown up by a get close enough to reduce the forts at the mine and on 13 March a concerted effort Narrows until the mines had been cleared. resulted in four of the six sweepers involved Conversely, the minesweepers could not get being severely damaged by howitzer fire. near the minefields until the guns were At this stage, with morale in the Fleet silenced. sinking fast and under pressure from his On 19 February, Carden opened his masters at home to make rapid progress, bombardment of the outer forts of Sedd el Carden decided that it was time to launch a Boor and Kum Kale and again on 25 February full-scale attack on the Narrows. Before he with greater effect; many of the guns were could see his plan realised, however, his silenced or abandoned. At the same time health failed and he was replaced by his parties ofRoyal Marines were landed at the tip second in command Rear Admiral John de of the Peninsula to finish off the work that the Robeck. De Robeck rapidly concurred with Navy had started by spiking the surviving his predecessor's plan, and preparations for an guns ofthe forts, a tacit acknowledgment even assault involving 18 battleships and countless at this stage of the importance of combined cruisers and destroyers were commenced in operations. earnest. With the outer defences breached, 26 On 18 March, this mighty force steamed February saw the Intermediate Defences into the Straits in three waves to launch itself attacked for the first time from within the at ever reducing ranges at the Narrows forts Straits where mobile howitzers, although not with the aim of overpowering them by weight causing serious damage, were disconcerting of sustained shelling. However, the ships were enough to prevent the warships from themselves subjected to a heavy fire. The CHURCHILL AND THE NAVAL ASSAULT ON THE DARDANELLES-II 137

French battleship Gaulois had to be beached down to only a few dozen more long-range after suffering shell damage under the high explosive shells. There was also no waterline and HMS Inflexible also had to reserve of mines. The medium howitzers and retire temporarily with substantial damage to minefield batteries, however, still had 50% of her superstructure. Nonetheless, after 2'j, their stocks left. hours of bombardment, the minesweepers It has been argued that fate dealt the Navy a were sent forward. cruel hand on 18 March and that a series of From this point the assault floundered in the unfortunate events, such as the sinking of the face of the Straits' defences; as the French Bouvet by a minefield that had only been laid battleship Bouvet was pulling back from her a few nights before, conspired to sabotage a bombardment to make way for the promising plan. However, a closer minesweepers, she was rent by a huge examination of the day's battle will show that explosion, probably caused by a mine, and the natural defensive qualities of the Straits, capsized with the loss of most of her ship's complemented by an effective combination of company. Then, in a spate ofincidents, several military defences, were the factors that won more battleships were lost or critically the day; the heavy guns of the forts sank the damaged; HMS Inflexible hit a mine and had battleships, the howitzers repelled the mine­ to struggle out of the Straits, HMS Irresistible sweepers, and the mines that therefore could was torpedoed and later sank, and the French not be swept in turn sank more battleships. battleships Suffren and Ocean were The only hope the Navy had of breaking respectively seriously damaged and sunk by through the Narrows was that the Turks did plunging shells from the Narrows forts. As a indeed run out of ammunition. A renewed final signal of the futility of the Fleet's efforts attack on the scale of the 18th would not have the minesweepers fled in the face of the been possible but it is true to say that the Fleet, relentless howitzer fire with barely a mine significantly but not irretrievably damaged, swept. In the face of such losses, de Robeck could have re-engaged the next day. Some of decided to disengage and regroup. the forts might well have run out of heavy But what of the Turkish defenders? shells but further ships would have floundered Commodore Keyes felt that they were a in the assault. The key to the matter though 'beaten foe' .'" But Colonel Kannengiesser, was the mobile howitzer and minefield now in charge of a detachment of Turkish batteries, which could not be silenced at any troops, testifies differently in his memoirs. cost, and which would have continued to make Reflecting on the state ofthe forts at the end of it impossible to sweep the mines regardless of the 18th, he writes ofthe minimal nature ofthe whether the forts had been silenced or not. damage that the huge medieval forts had In any event, even if a battered Fleet suffered." At Kale Sultanie, for example, managed to force its way past the Narrows in there was extensive damage to the spite of the attention of the unswept surrounding buildings and houses but little minefields and the mobile batteries, there was structural damage to the fort itself while at no clear idea of what it was then meant to do. Hamidie only two guns had been destroyed. In Assuming a weakened and reduced Fleet all, of 176 guns, the Fleet had destroyed only managed to see off the Turkish fleet and the four with no more than ISO defenders killed. powerful Goeben and Breslau, it would then In return the Fleet had lost almost 700 men probably commence a bombardment of with three battleships crippled and three sunk Constantinople aimed at causing panic and out of a total of 18. Even more significantly, toppling the government. But, regardless of only one line of mines had been swept from any short term political impact, in effect the the Straits and there seemed little chance of Squadron would have been bottled in; with the the minesweepers making any more progress defences at the Straits still very much intact with the mobile howitzers still as persistent as and able to operate again once fully re­ ever. The single ray of hope was the Turkish supplied, there would be no way out and no shortage of ammunition with some of the forts means of re-supply or re-fuelling. Once the -

138 CHURCHILL AND THE NAVAL ASSAULT ON THE DARDANELLES-II

, , \"'), ~, Pc'f\C.'~ fo,,", l't\\l\t~dcl ~ o C't\o'\)'\ ~ \\ouo'h. Qcal1.n"" CHURCHILL AND THE NAVAL ASSAULT ON THE DARDANELLES-II 139

Turks had realised the futility of the Fleet's Those that argue that Churchill was not the position, de Robeck would have had two only motive force behind the naval attack options; fester in a Russian Black Sea port for point to the fact that he was by no means the the duration of the war or make a dash back most powerful man in the War Council; that out ofthe Straits, tail between legs. accolade undoubtedly fell to Kitchener. But In the event, de Robeck called off the attack whereas Kitchener could prevent policy by his until military forces could be called in to veto, it was Churchill, with his incredibly assist. Professor Reguer is not the only active mind and a brimful of plans and ideas, historian to have censured him for his who was the most influential. This was decision. However, just as there was no Churchill's plan in its entirety and he who, fundamental failing with his conduct of the lacking the direct power of Kitchener, relied attack on the 18th, there was no fault in his on his highly persuasive arguing and logic now in cutting his losses rather than infectious enthusiasm, as well as a generous continuing with an assault which promised helping of duplicity, to ensure that it was his further major losses but little chance of plans and ideas that were implemented. In success. Of course, by doing so, his actions doing so over Galipoli, he became personally indirectly led to the hugely greater catastrophe responsible for sabotaging a plan that could of the land campaign but it was hardly within have shortened the war by many months and his remit to make predictions about the even years. It is a paradox that one can admire possibilities of success in a military operation. the brilliance ofChurchill's political skills, his What he, and Carden before him, had come to energy and imagination and the sheer force of realise after two months of battering their his personality, all of which made him a ships on the Strait's defences, was that there source of inspiration in the War Council but, had never been a genuine fighting chance of equally, be appalled by the manner in which success. his complacency and flawed judgement led And so, with the Navy's failure, began a him to make one of the most costly errors of notorious and heroic struggle in the stinking, the First World War. fly infested trenches on the narrow shores of the Galipoli Peninsula. Many have argued (concluded) since that Churchill's brave plan was sabotaged, on the brink of success, by weaker H. K. ACKLAND men and thereby absolve him of much of the LIEUTENANT, RN responsibility for the horrors that followed. In fact the naval assault was never a realistic References "Jackson, Admiral Sir Henry, Memorandum, 5 Jan proposition. In any event it is clear that the 1915 (Gilbert). weakness of Turkish dispositions at Galipoli "Dardanelles Commission First Report. in early 1915 support the proposition that a "Asquith - Venetia Stanley, 20 Jan 1915 (Gilbert). determined joint military and naval operation "Hankey - Balfour, 10 Feb 1915 (Gilbert). at that time would have overrun the entire "Dardanelles Commission First Report. "Dardanelles Commission First Report. Dardanelles. In early 1915, the wartime "Rhodes James. government was on the verge of ordering just 3OKannengeiser. such an attack until Churchill intervened. 3'From Rhodes James and Kannengeiser. Swimming to Victorious

7'YfE following account is contributed by hangar deck, so I shouted back, 1 Captain R. Pelly, to whom the story was 'I'm waiting.' told. 'What are you waiting for?' The visit to Malta had nothing to do with 'I'm waiting for someone to invite me tourism. Valletta, or rather the company's aboard for a drink.' agent there, Giovanni Muscat and Co., was at After this there was a brief pause from on the end of a tour I had begun three months high, punctuated by laughter from the flight earlier in March 1967 with Athens and deck, then Istanbul, going as far east as Saigon and Hong 'Do you want a drink?' Kong then back over the same track. 'Wouldn't you if you had swum from Muscat's knew their job, so the brief report Malta?' was my reply. I wrote to Head Office in my room at the Astra 'All right then, come aboard.' Hotel in Sliema after lunch left four hours free 'How?' to enjoy a sunny Maltese afternoon before 'Swim round to the starboard side and dinner. climb eight companion ladders, then you have Across Sliema's promenade the sea lay got to the hangar deck'. blue, sparkling and still so I put on my bathing So this I did, and padded across the steel trunks, walked across the sizzling pavements plates past the parked aircraft to where a and along the stone jetty by the side of the old Lieutenant Commander and two Lieutenants fort. Before taking the steps down to the water stood silhouetted against the light waiting to I glanced out to sea and took in a large vessel receive their self-invited guest. apparently stationary on the horizon, then in I The Lieutenant Commander said 'Welcome went. aboard - you haven't swum from Malta have In that flat, calm sea I decided to put some you?' distance between myself and the island to see 'Well, I certainly haven't walked', I the place from a different perspective. Using answered. backstroke I pulled away from land until first 'So how long did it take you?' asked one of the walkers, then the cars and buses, and the Lieutenants. finally the palm trees along the promenade 'I don't know', I replied, 'I don't normally became hazy then lost to view. Now I could swim with a watch on. What time is it now?' see the island of Malta from end to end 'Quarter past five', was the answer. shimmering white in the June heat. 'That makes just over two hours, then. I As the land got too far away to be went in just after three.' interesting I took a look at the sea around me: Soon a large pink gin arrived and I toasted plenty of fishing boats, handy to resort to if a my reluctant hosts, at which the younger wind got up, and on the seaward horizon, now Lieutenant asked me if I had served in the a lot closer, the large vessel seen from the jetty Royal Navy. had materialised into an aircraft carrier. So I 'No', I said, 'Royal Air Force, and in the changed backstroke for breaststroke and RAF you have to know how to swim in case slowly the great bulk came nearer. the Navy is a bit late!' Eventually, I found myself 150 yards or so Laughter all round at this one, though I from the bows rising like a great cliff of steel noticed the senior officer was starting to get a in front of me and I could see the name worried look about him. Then it came out. Victorious. Men gathered on the flight deck to 'Tell me,' he said, 'Are you going to swim look at the lone swimmer treading water and back?' soon a commanding voice floated down with 'To tell you the truth', 1 replied, 'I hadn't the question really thought about it. I'm enjoying this pink 'Hey you, what are you doing down there?' gin too much'. The call seemed to come from one of three This wasn't the answer the senior officer officers grouped at a large aperture on the wanted and a few minutes later he brought up

140 SWIMMING TO VICTORIOUS 141 the subject again. dredging up (imaginary) rights of British 'No', I said, 'I'm not going to swim back. subjects on board a British warship. The light is going already and I might miss 'It's a good job I'm a taxpayer, then,' I Malta altogether.' suggested. 'I'm sure you will be able to offer 'Well,' he asked again, 'how are you me a comer somewhere for the night with all getting back?' this space lying around.' So I said, 'I'll hitch a ride on one of your But the Lieutenant Commander strangled liberty boats. That will be all right, won't it?' that idea at birth with 'No no, that's quite 'There are no liberty boats,' came the impossible - as I told you, we're on ominous reply. 'We are on emergency standby emergency standby and we can receive orders because of the crisis between the Arabs and to sail at any moment!' the Israelis.' Just as I could see myself descending again This crisis I knew something about, having to the now darkening waters and trying to feel visited Amman, Cairo and Tripoli on my way my way back to Sliema - or anywhere - relief to Malta during the past ten days. Cairo had came to hand in the form of a Maltese been especially tense (though it hadn't bumboat which had come to do a bit oftrading stopped me negotiating our firm's biggest with the crew. The return journey took twenty export order ever) and now things were minutes and I arrived back at the Astra in good coming to the boil with the so called 'Six Day time for a substantial Maltese dinner of roast War' about to break out. Which left me at the beef and Yorkshire pudding. end of a delightful swim, and nearing the end Perhaps, even after 30 years it isn't too late of my pink gin, being presented with the for former Pilot Officer Philip Astington, problem of how to leave Her Majesty's Royal Air Force 1950-52, to say a thank you aircraft carrier Victorious in gathering to those officers of Victorious who treated darkness without benefit of boat. with such consideration that unexpected (and So I stalled and tried to play for time, unwanted) guest. An Incident in the First Cod War

HILE writing a short account of a less armed with axes, cutlasses and ... was that the W benign incident than that related below dull gleam of the blued steel of old .303s? about the run-up to the dispute about fishing We were still six feet from the trawler's side rights with Iceland, I dredged the following when Bertie grabbed me by the seat of my memory from the depths of my subconscious. trousers, or so it seemed, and doubtless with I was the Sub in the 'Daring' class Diana, Lieutenant Turner's leap from the Cossack to and we were patrolling to the south of the Altmark in mind, propelled me bodily on Grindevik in an attempt to protect our fishing board. As Kipling nearly wrote: '... the vartue boats from the unwelcome attentions of the av the ould (sailor) that knows his orf'cers Icelandic gunboats, when we received a report work and does ut for him at the salute'. No that a trawler had been boarded and taken over salute for me though but ... 'twixt the stirrup by a party from the Thor. We were either and the ground I mercy asked and mercy ordered or volunteered to regain her. found' ... by the time I had brandished my Our Captain, Bill Graham, sent for me and pistol in an effort to inspire fear into the hearts handed me a loaded revolver with a stem of the desperadoes - they had gone! Out of the admonition not under any circumstances to corner of my eye I saw a boat heading back to use it. A few moments later it was 'Slip' and the Thor, but I was more occupied with the starboard whaler was on its way across the accepting a generous tot of rum and mercifully and unusually calm sea. The subsequently a basket of fresh cod. boarding party consisted of the Captain of the I was greeted as a hero on my return to the Forecastle, Petty Officer Bertie, and, I think, Diana but Petty Officer Bertie and I knew seven sturdy seamen. better! As we approached the trawler I could see a gang of desperadoes lining her bulwarks, A. B. H. NELSON

142 Radio Astronomy and Naval Gunnery: The Unlikely Alliance

EMBERS of The Naval Review may was a place which dealt with the stars. We Mwell scratch their heads in puzzlement stood beneath the telescope only a foot or two over the improbability of the above title. away from its circular tracking. Bogies were Radio astronomy is a very precise science, supported on the railway tracking and pinpointing stars billions of light years away suddenly they moved a few inches. It was from Earth. Naval gunnery on the other hand, brought home to me that our planet was at least when I was serving during our conflict turning and the telescope with it. .. with Herr Hitler, was imprecise, especially in The three of us arrived at a door which was the anti-aircraft department. The tale of how situated at the bottom of one of the tall pillars the one aided the other was told to me last supporting the dish. I was extremely pleased autumn. My wife and I had been invited to to see that this led to a lift, and this took us up stay with Sir Bernard Lovell, the creator and some two hundred feet. Just when I was first Director of Jodrell Bank. feeling relieved that my fear of heights was I wanted very much to see over the not to be put to the test, Bernard Lovell led us telescope, and my host promised that he would to the bottom of a twenty foot vertical steel give me a personally conducted tour the next ladder up which he began to climb with the morning. Bernard Lovell then became agility of a teenager. My fears were now to be somewhat enigmatic when he said 'and I think realised and as I followed him, I tried not to that as a former naval officer, you will find look down. Lovell seemed quite unmoved by something of especial interest at Jodrell'. the climb and said 'I promised my engineers The next day's weather was quite glorious, that when I reached eighty I would not climb the sun shining out of a cloudless blue sky, this more than twice a year. 1think I have now making my visit to the radio telescope all the climbed it fifty times since then.' more pleasant. Since a great part of it consists We walked a little way along a narrow of a vast complex of steel girders open to the passage and then Bernard Lovell opened a elements I was glad that my tour would be in door saying 'here you are'. I looked down at the dry and not in pelting rain. rows ofhuge steel teeth and realised that I was The sheer size of the radio telescope fills looking at the mechanism on which the dish one with awe mixed with admiration for those was tilted. 'This' said Lovell, 'is the whose foresight and ingenuity created it. The connection between astronomy and naval dish measures two hundred and fifty feet in gunnery'. He went on to explain how the rings diameter, and on that beautiful morning it was of teeth came to be there. As so often happens a wonderful and futuristic sight. in designs large and small, cash projections I was introduced to the Senior Engineer and are not always in line with reality. When the we entered the Control Room. Here the first telescope was being built, the dish turning link with the Service appeared in the form of mechanism was a major factor, and money the Duty Controller who had been a Petty was beginning to be tight. It was here that the Officer Radar Mechanic. The Control Room naval service of Professor P. M. S. Blackett had a huge window which looked out on to the was of infinite value. Blackett had served as telescope. Bernard Lovell told me of one an RN two-striper in Barham when she was awful night when, during a storm of hurricane Flagship of the 5th Battle Squadron at Jutland. force, he was summoned from home as the He knew what he was talking about. (When I telescope was in danger from the high winds. proposed writing this article and showed He gave orders to turn it so that it presented Bernard Lovell the draft, he was astounded to the least resistance, but he said it was touch learn that I had been present when Barham and go. was sunk in the Mediterranean in November A clock on the wall showing sidereal time 1941 .* He had no idea we kept battleships for was a reminder, if one was needed, that this so long!)

143 144 RADIO ASTRONOMY AND NAVAL GUNNERY: THE UNLIKELY ALLIANCE

On 5 July 1950, at one of the innumerable There he discovered that one of Royal conferences discussing building progress, Sovereign's turrets had not yet been broken Blackett made his proposal. He said that the down and that two complete 15-inch gun problem ofhow the telescope was to be driven turret racks of Revenge were in perfect was similar to that of aiming and controlling condition. Husband warned me that "to the guns of a battleship. He told Lovell to visit produce two new racks and pinions of this the Admiralty Gunnery Establishment at quality would cost several thousand pounds". Teddington and thither Lovell repaired with By mid-September the ship-breakers told colleagues on 20 July. Husband that the rack and pinion from Royal To quote from Bernard Lovell's book Sovereign was freed and lying aboard the ship Astronomer by Chance: 'J. M. Ford of and that we could have it for £250 and also the Teddington and his naval colleagues thought two from Revenge when they had been freed. our problem was simple in comparison with By any standards this was a bargain offer' . It that ofcontrolling the gun turret of a battleship was in this way that the Royal Navy assisted and advised us to talk to Metropolitan Vickers indirectly in the construction of the radio about the use of their "metadyne" control telescope at Jodrell Bank. system. This was an electrical drive system My tour of the telescope over, Bernard that would give the telescope an acceleration Lovell and I realised that we had omitted to proportional to the displacement from the arrange a rendezvous with my wife and his required position. By this time our Consulting guest. We separated and searched but returned Engineer H. C. Husband had become without success to the Control Room car park. concerned about the size of the gear racks that 'Bernard', I said, 'this is ridiculous. Here you would be needed to drive the elevation. Ford have a wonderful instrument capable of also solved that problem. He advised Husband pinpointing with unerring accuracy the to obtain some of the 25-foot diameter racks positions of stars billions of light years away used to drive the 15-inch gun turrets in a and we can't find the people we are looking battleship. for!' We found them among the stars ... in the Husband soon secured a major bargain over Planetarium! the question of these large racks. On 3 August ADRIAN HOLLOWAY he journeyed to the ship-breaker's yard in Inverkeithing where the battleships Royal 'see my book From Dartmouth to War published by Sovereign and Revenge were being broken up. Buckland Publications, reviewed in NR April '94. The Victoria and Camperdown collision, 1893

N the afternoon of 22 June 1893 thirteen after he had ordered all the officers offthe Obattleships and cruisers were exercising bridge. We had a very big funeral this off Tripoli in what is now Lebanon when the morning & we shall have them for the Victoria (the C-in-C's flagship) and the next week. There is no chance of getting Camperdown (flagship of the second-in­ the Victoria up as she went down in 75 command, Rear-Admiral Markham) collided. fathoms of water. The Camperdown is in The Victoria was sunk with the loss of 359 a very bad way, her bows are very nearly lives including the Commander-in-Chief, under water & divers & people have been Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon. On the next working all night & all day; there are two day the 16-year-old Naval Cadet Hugh holes in the bows big enough for a man to Tweedie of the battleship Dreadnought wrote walk through & the great fear at present is the following letter to his mother. It had been that the watertight bulkhead will give a make-and-mend at the time of the collision way with pressure when she will go (which was at 1534) and all the midshipmen straight down. It was horrible when we and cadets not on watch were asleep in the first got there in the boats, there were gunroom. dozens of men nearly all more or less mangled & as we got nearer we could see HMS Dreadnought them being sucked down by the wash 23rd June, Tripoli right in front of our eyes & within half a dozen yards of you. Two of the fellows My dear Mother, who past out of the Brittania with me Before you get this letter you will have were drowned. heard of the frightful disaster. It I remain yours sincerely, happened about half past three when we H. Tweedie were all in the gun-room & we suddenly heard the pipe 'Away all boats'; it struck us as very funny that all boats should be The fleet had been in two divisions in line called away just as we were going into ahead, led respectively by the two flagships, harbour but we ran up just in time to see with the Nile immediately astern of the the Camperdown crash in the Victoria. Victoria, and the Dreadnought astern of the She filled rapidly in the bows & in little Nile. Tryon, who was regarded as the greatest over five minutes she gave a sudden lurch tactician of the age, ordered the ships in the & went down with all hands on board. two columns to alter course in succession Our boats were there almost as soon as sixteen points, turning inwards, although the she disappeared & between us we saved distance between the columns (six cables) was 10 I officers & men [110 according to his known to be too narrow for this evolution. Captain's memoirs). The Nile's boats After a few minutes the Camperdown rammed saved 82 & the Camperdown's 52, the the Victoria. Admiral Markham in the remainder saved 10, three of our men Camperdown assumed that Tryon would order died since & one of the Nile's making a some further manoeuvre to avoid a collision, total of 249 out of a ship's company of but with his death it is not known wh~ was in over 600. 5 Mids were saved & 8 Tryon's mind. Of the Victoria's ship's drowned, out of 50 officers 25 were company of 600 there were only 241 drowned & 8 were out of the ship. survivors. The Camperdown, though The Captain, Hon Maurice A. Bourke, damaged, was able to steam to Malta with an was saved. I don't know whether he is escort for repairs. At the court-martial held on any relation to the Bourkes at Pulborough the loss of the Victoria, it was found that the [his uncle was rector of Pulborough, 'collision was due to an order given by Vice­ Sussex). The Commander-in-Chief was Admiral Tryon'. last seen on the top of the chart house Hugh Tweedie ended his career as a full

145 146 THE VICTORIA AND CAMPERDOWNCOLLISION. 1893 Admiral and Commander-in-Chief at the Victoria, who at the time of the collision was Nore, retiring in 1935. In his autobiography in bed in his cabin with a temperature of 103°. The Story ofa Naval Life (1939) he recalls that Cadet Tweedie's letter is published for the after picking up survivors from the Victoria first time with the kind permission of his the boats were employed in salvaging daughter, Mrs John Carver, and at the wreckage. He found himself alongside a chest suggestion of Captain R. G. Tosswill, to both of drawers which was too large to get into his of whom I express my warm thanks. boat, so they broke into it and extracted all the clothes. They were found to belong to the HUGH OWEN future Admiral Jellicoe, the commander of the CAPTAIN, RN

From The Naval Review Thirty Years Ago

ROM the point of view of the country and 'that the absurdity of his proposition might Fthe Royal Navy the most important event pass un-noticed by many, were it not pointed in 1968 was the commissioning of HMS out .. .' which he then sought to do in the Resolution, the first of the four 'R' class January 1968 issue. Polaris submarines. This was a great Technological change began to run like a achievement as it was within the time scale forest fire and 'A Bit' in the July 1968 issue set. The three submarines Repulse, Renown wrote 'If the Navy is to be fully effective in and Revenge were to commission at the future, it must have a corps ofofficers who approximately six-month intervals following. have been trained in the techniques of In the previous year 'Moryak' was to handling information as part of their basic propose that the manning of Polaris education. ' submarines should be done by a separate force Thirty years ago the Soviet military threat which he called the Polaris Submarine Force was a dark shadow which cast a baleful and it should be reconstituted as a National influence on world peace. But there was a Deterrent Force. This set off the big guns of glint of sunshine as depicted by 'J.E.' in the the Chief Polaris Executive and our former October 1968 issue. He wrote 'the expansion Editor Admiral McGeoch, to refute this of Soviet maritime power is a coherent policy argument. The chief Polaris Executive, capable of supporting equally effectively Admiral Mackenzie, dismissed the suggestion either the legitimate aims, or any illegal because 'this is no job for "nice old cups of expansionist ambitions, of Russia. At present tea" or for civilianisation'. Admiral McGeoch it represents for NATO a political challenge in a carefully considered commentary on the rather than a direct military threat.' submarine scene at the time admitted that Discuss? .. 'Moryak' was persuasive and powerfully played on emotions. It was therefore possible PARAVANE End of an Era?

A CHRISTMAS card on offer this year (/997) salutes in honour of the King's birthday and in by King George's Fund for Sailors depicts a the evening there was supper and music in the stern view of HM Yacht Britannia as she Great Cabin. passes the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Pepys was coming to the end of the first of Both are about to be decommissioned. The two long periods in his life spent in a warship title ofthis far from festive picture is 'End of at close quarters with the sea-officers - the an Era '. Twenty years ago the distinguished second was his voyage to Tangier at the very historian Richard Gllard MA FRSL end of the reign now opening. It is his relation contributed to Vol. I, No.1 of the Nautical to this body of men that I propose to discuss. It Review an account of 'Pepys and the sea was a subject that, in the whole course of his officers', here reproduced by permission. life, probably claimed as much of his time and Members ofThe Naval Review, after reading attention as any other It was certainly one to it, may ask themselves Ifit is the era initiated which his contribution was of the first by Pepys, with the help of King Charles II, importance. which is alleged to have ended: the Royal Sea-officers, Pepys and his contemporaries connection, the combination of civil with said. Naval officers, we say. Why the professional administration, the association difference? Pepys was distinguishing between with Greenwich as centre ofmaritime art and people like himself who were officers of the science, and above all the spirit of 'all ofone navy - as we would put it, officials of the navy company' infusing the officer corps. board - and people like Sir John Narbrough or Ian McGeoch Captain Wyborne - to name two of his particular friends - who occupied their AY 29 would be dedicated, if his life business in great waters. Some of Pepys' M had afforded a title to sanctity, to King colleagues, Penn and Batten most notably, had Charles II. Up the river in Chelsea the great experience in both spheres. Even Pepys pensioners of his splendid hospital observe the himself could technically claim to have been a feast of their founder with appropriate sea-officer. On 13 March, 1669, we read in the conviviality. It was his birthday. It was the day diary: on which, amid scenes of delirious rejoicing, But that which put me in good humour he re-entered London in 1660, the day, more both at noon and night, is the fancy that I than any other, to be celebrated as the am this day made a Captain ofone ofthe anniversary of his Restoration. Pepys, as one King's ships, Mr Wren having this day of the most vivid reporters who have ever sent me the Duke ofYork's commission to described London, whose Diary gives us, and be Captain of 'The lerzy' in order to my for the Restoration period especially, the very being ofa Court-Marshall for examining form and pressure of the time, might at first the loss of 'The Defyance' and other sight offer rich material for an account of this things; which do give me occasion of historic day. much mirth, and may be of some use to In fact, however, he was not among those me, at least I shall get a little money by it taking part. He had stayed behind aboard the for the time I have it; it being designed Royal Charles with his cousin and patron, Sir that I must really be a Captain to be able Edward Montagu, soon to be ennobled as Earl to sit in this Court. of Sandwich. He spent the morning writing A few days later he was not so much letters, including one to find out how much his amused. Packing a Court-Martial with bogus employer would have to pay for his institution Captains was a dangerous precedent. It was as a Knight ofthe Most Honourable and Noble exactly the way to promote the favouritism Order of the Garter, and after dinner on board and inefficiency that Pepys spent his whole went ashore with his master for a most life in fighting. So he privately compromised agreeable and refreshing ride. From the top of and determined that though playing his full Kingsdown cliffs they watched the Fleet fire part in the inquiry - 'I did lay the law open to

147 148 END OF AN ERA? them and rattle the Master-Attendants out of apprenticeship system. The young gentleman their wits almost' - he would withdraw when must first and foremost serve at sea and obtain the Court was reaching its conclusions. certificates from his commanding officers as The sea-officer proper, the naval officer of to his 'sobriety, diligence, obedience to order our day, cannot historically be considered and application to the study and practice ofthe merely in his professional capacity. He art of navigation'. But literacy and cultivation occupies a prominent position in English of mind - those quintessentially Pepysian society, in our literature, in our manners and qualities were given their proper our morals. For the mid-twentieth century importance. The young officer was required to Noel Coward's In Which We Serve keep ajournal- not, one hastens to add, on the exemplifies the pattern: courteous, reliable, model of that unique and secret document on unself-seeking, balanced, competent, which his own fame rests. And finally, in unemotional. We remember that King George December, 1677, the Board of Admiralty V and King George VI were both brought up agreed to the establishment ofan examination, as naval officers and we observe that the based on these requirements, for the rank of present heir apparent is so serving. A century Lieutenant. The hallmark of the modern and a half ago, at the high noon of the Royal profession was originated, designed and Navy, Jane Austen portrays a large cast of carried through entirely by Pepys. It is worth naval officers to whose domestic virtues she remembering that examinations for admission pays memorable homage in the last sentence to the Civil Service were not established for of her last novel. another 200 years. But institutional reform is only part of the Social and professional divisions story. One does not have to read far in Pepys The sea-officers of Pepys' day were, so to to recognise his passionate interest in people speak, the rude forefathers of these paragons. and his skill in handling them. The stream of Unlike their successors in the twentieth letters to individual officers that poured out of century, or even in Nelson's day, they were the Admiralty office during his two tenures of contract labour, not permanent members of a the Secretaryship taught the sea-officers what profession with a recognised system of was required of them and set standards that promotion and seniority. They were divided, have never since been entirely forgotten. socially and professionally, into two classes, To take but one example. In the spring of the gentlemen and the tarpaulins. The 1675 the Captain of the Phoenix died while tarpaulins, as their name suggests, were the she was on the West Indies station, and the real professional seamen who would earn their Governor of the Barbados, Sir Jonathan living in merchant ships when there was no Atkins, a personal friend of Pepys, appears to billet for them in the King's. The gentlemen have secured the command for his son, instead were scions of noble or landed families who of allowing the Lieutenant to succeed to the recognised military leadership as one of the Captain's place ... 'Justice' ... wrote Pepys obligations of their position. One personified in a letter to the soi-disant Captain Atkins ... competence, the other the mental and social 'must be preserved in all matters of that kind qualities of a class that had been bred to or the whole discipline of the navy must be command and was likely to have had the abandoned, in which nothing is less to be advantage of a liberal education. It was Pepys' controverted than the right of a lieutenant to aim to fuse the two, an aim which by the time succeed to the command of the ship upon the of Nelson and Jane Austen had to a great death of his captain, at least until he shall extent been achieved. come within the reach of His Majesty or the The means he employed were as various Lord High Admiral.' and resourceful as himself. Perhaps nowhere 'As to my own particular, besides the in his official life can we find a fuller impartiality which I pretend to govern myself expression of his personality. He based by in all other cases, there will be little ground himself on the traditional wisdom of the to suspect me of any other dealings in this, the END OF AN ERA? 149 lieutenant being one I never saw, much less having served under the Commonwealth. But have any personal concernment for ... while it was their professionalism and their on the other hand I have that especial regard to conspicuous attention to duty that won them my noble friend, your father, Sir Jonathan Pepys' high regard, not their political or social Atkins, as would easily incline me to the origins. And he had no prejudice against giving preference to a son of his on any fair aristocrats, provided they were ready to learn occasion. But right is right and shall never on their job. On the contrary he wanted more any consideration receive interruption where I aristocrats in the navy, not less, because he can prevent it, and least of all where the rightly saw that parliament was an essentially prejudice attending his Majesty from it may be aristocratic and landed club - witness the of importance a thousandfold more than the amount of time it spent adding to the already benefit of the private person that is to be excessive number of game laws - and naval gratified by it.' affairs would never get a proper hearing there This is the note that the sea-officers came to until aristocrats could be brought to recognise in their tireless correspondent. contemplate a naval career. But it must be a Clarity, firmness, discipline, order: the whole career, and they must accept discipline. As backed up by the timeless certainties of Drake had put it 'I would have the gentleman morality 'Right is Right' so to haul and draw with the mariner, and the characteristically reinforced by an explanation mariner with the gentleman.' Young sparks of the practical disadvantages one incurs by who came on board for a battle as though they flouting them. And underlying it all is the idea were going for a fortnight's grouse shooting of the service as a continuous entity, to whose were worse than useless. future as well as whose present one's actions In all this Pepys was running counter to the must refer. How incalculable have been the spirit of the society in which he lived. To obey benefits of instilling that spirit. orders was still felt to be the part or a servant, Pepys, like his friend and mentor in these a mechanic, an artisan or a tradesman. The matters, Sir William Coventry, was generally pride and honour of a gentleman were, by our accused of favouring the tarpaulins at the standards, morbidly egocentric. In the Civil expense of the gentlemen. This was politically War the Royalist commanders were forever both dangerous and unpopular, since in the taking the huff with each other and sometimes early years of the reign the tarpaulins were with difficulty, restrained from fighting duels bound to be officers who had held when they should have been concentrating on commissions under the Commonwealth and the enemy. Professionalism in the army and Protectorate, whereas the gentlemen were the navy had grown fast under Cromwell, but almost certain to belong to Royalist families. Charles II was a very different man to work It is true that almost all Pepys' closest friends for. Yet the sea-officers with whom Pepys, among the sea officers were tarpaulins. Sir down at Deal, passed such an agreeable day John Narbrough, the great admiral who was while the King was riding into London close also a great navigator, and Sir John Berry, enough for us to have heard the huzzas were who had entered the service as a boatswain, products of the Cromwellian system. Perhaps both came into the Royal Navy from the their professionalism contributed to his own. merchant service, without so far as is known -- Midshipmen join their First Ships in the Med in 1940

'T ET's put on our pyjamas,' said Michael. There was the gorgeous expanse ofTable Bay .L What an enormously good idea it that we entered one morning, the fascinating seemed and so it was. There was much girls who drove us for brief visits to colourful rummaging in over-night bags and in quite a racecourses and entrancing nightclubs were short time we were all in pyjamas, which were intoxicating. or something approaching the native costume A few bombs dropped very wide off Italian of the land through which we were passing in Somaliland before lunch time drinks one day the not too clean Egyptian train. were a diversion, but the burnt out hull of the We were thirty-six midshipmen, all liner Georgie swinging at anchor in Suez Bay apparently calm and self-possessed young was a grim reminder that after all we were on men, mostly seventeen years old, although a the serious business of war. few of eighteen or nineteen, crossing the It was already dark when our train pulled Egyptian isthmus from Suez to Alexandria to into Alexandria station, so the almost white join our first ships in His Majesty's Eastern duck suits into which we had changed once Mediterranean fleet, otherwise known as the more, in the poor Egyptian blackout went Med Fleet. Inside ourselves, each according to unnoticed. Bundled into battered local taxis, his temperament, it was different; the apparent already dusty and weary, we were hardly nonchalance was superficial. We had left the ready to appreciate that moment of moments, troop transports at Port Tewfik early that not to be forgotten by any young man, when morning wonderfully clean in our long white he joins his first ship! duck trousers and high necked tunics which Through darkened, yet thronging, streets were already becoming grubby with the we were taken to what we came to know as ubiquitous yellow dust of the desert. 'No.6 gate'. Here the boats of the fleet were The war was entering its second year and no awaiting the new arrivals. We were divided one was under any illusion that 'it would be according to ships. Warspite, Valiant, Malaya, over by Christmas' and we were keen to play Orion, Ajax, the famous names that we had our part. We had chosen the Royal Navy: we only heard on the BBC rang out, called by the were professionals. The question of defeat did coxswains and midshipmen who were driving not enter our heads; the British Empire always the boats and they entered into our lives for the won in the end, although we knew that it also first time. The boats, motor cutters and picket started wars badly. We had left Liverpool in boats, jostled each other along the wharf. September, the Battle of Britain was on, and Starlight reflected in the wavelets. Then the blitz had hardly started. Our airmen were 'whoosh!' And phosphorescence as boat after wonderful, but even in the unlikely event of boat pulled away into the blackout. The water their being overcome, we could not seriously was close at hand for in the tide-less envisage Hitler's armies crossing the Channel Mediterranean, there was no need for high in the face of the Royal Navy. jetties. After leaving Britain and its blackout and We trotted up the port after ladder onto the with no responsibilities on the voyage in the quarterdeck of the Valiant and saluted in the quite comfortable accommodation of the dark. The blackout here was complete. A tired luxury liners that made up our troop convoy it and somewhat bedraggled lot, we were guided had seemed more like peacetime every day. to a space between decks, a flat as we learnt Troopships were not even 'dry' in those days. later it was called, were given seamen's The soldiers on board - an anti-aircraft hammocks and bedding which we laid out on regiment - were not so lucky; two thousand in the deck, put on our pyjamas and were soon in hammocks crammed together below decks. an exhausted sleep. We did not worry about them, they were Sometime later we heard over the ship's soldiers and not our responsibility anyway. broadcasting system a sound that was to be the

150 ---

MIDSHIPMEN JOIN THEIR FIRST SHIPS IN THE MED IN 1940 151 background of much of our time in the Med, The food was plain but ample, for which we but having nowhere to go or duties to perform, were stopped 10/3d a week out of our we let noise of rushing feet and slamming midshipmen's 5/- a day. The most enjoyable doors pass us by and huddled down on our meal was probably breakfast, with plenty of makeshift bedding; some of us were anxious toast, butter and marmalade and the small lest our last moments had come before we had Egyptian eggs fried and served on fried bread, even started on our lives of adventure. 'Tumpa of which, despite a slight flavour of garlic, tumpa tum, tumpa tumpa tum,' went the snotties would often consume four or even six bugle, 'Repel aircraft! Repel aircraft!' went portions. the voice, over and over again for what Midshipmen were supposed to be 'under seemed an age. The impression was that the instruction' and an officer known as the enemy aircraft were actually landing on the Snotties' Nurse had the duty of supervising ship, but it was probably no more than a this. But the pressures of warfare and other reconnaissance over Alexandria. Then the ship's duties, both on the students and on the 'thump! thump!' of a 4.5-inch battery, four of ship's officers who were supposed to be the Valiant's heavy anti-aircraft guns, firing a instructors, and in particular on the Valiant's barrage into the sky. Snotties' Nurse who was the ship's navigating It was not until later that Michael confided officer and one of the most heavily burdened that he had missed the directions to the heads. officers, was so great that I do not remember Caught desperately short he had found himself more than a dozen lectures during my time wandering around in the pitch dark of the onboard. An exception was the Journal or blacked-out quarterdeck. He relieved himself Log, which all midshipmen were required to on what can only have been the barbette of Y keep. These were a test in observation and 15-inch turret. Horrors! This should have been should show that the snotties were absorbing a matter for the Guinness Book ofRecords at more than just their daily round. They were another time. read at monthly intervals by the Snotties' The Gunroom, where twenty-two Nurse and also initialled by the Captain midshipmen and three lieutenants ate, played himself. and where several also slept on the settees and Breakfast with the Captain was an ordeal. armchairs, was a long space amidships on the During a quieter time in harbour two snotties ­ starboard ship's side under the catapault deck. the name was an unfair survival from the Most of the space was taken up by a long youngsters' runny noses - were detailed for wooden table up against the settee on the breakfast with the Captain. Reporting to the ship's side with chairs on the inboard side. At steward at 8 am in the large after cabin was the this table the entire mess could, on the rare start. Where to put your hands while waiting occasions that called for it, almost all sit down in the highly polished ante-room was in itself together. There was just room on the inboard a problem. In a moment the Captain was there side for an electric fire and a club fender and doing his best to put his visitors at ease, against the bulkhead and four or five black which 1am sure did not come naturally to him. leather covered armchairs. The pantry was at Our Commanding Officer was probably the forward end, a tiny space which gave onto wronged by his nickname 'Black Morgan' the mess by a small square serving hatch. This thanks to his generally taciturn manner. It square was big enough for Farmer Helps, as seemed difficult on the bridge or quarterdeck one of our term was known, to aim a full plate to extract more than a gruff 'Wouf! Wouf!' or of victuals at Petty Officer Steward Hancock something that sounded like it. At breakfast with accompanying expletives, if they failed the effort at conversation on both sides to take his fancy. Petty Officer Hancock banished the pleasure of an excellent English would dodge smartly, grinning broadly and breakfast, served by his steward on the clearly enjoying the horseplay more than miraculous shining white fluted china as anyone, and the plate would smash against the supplied by the Admiralty for post Captains' not far off pantry bulkhead. messes. What should have been a highlight ..

152 MIDSHIPMEN JOIN THEIR FIRST SHIPS IN THE MED IN 1940 was quickly forgotten by the guests. wont, with radio silence and no more than Their duties onboard and in particular their dimmed navigation lights, seemed a miracle. action stations, for the fleet was at four hours' My action station was in B IS-inch turret notice for steam in one of the most active war under Lieutenant Henry Barnes, a large zones at that time, was a preoccupation for the delightful pre-war officer who enjoyed his newly arrived midshipmen. From positions of comforts. We settled in the small office at the really high responsibility to more mundane rear of the huge turret, its austere metal walls tasks were the lot of the snotties. The ship's hung with a few telephones, but softened by officers, and in particular the ship's Gunnery ample rugs and cushions supplied by Henry Officer, a Lieutenant Commander of fearsome himself, together with Thermoses of tea and aspect, but actually the kindest and most tins of plum cake. The more sinister aspect considerate of all the officers, a graduate from was the two mountings of point five-inch that mythical place, the naval gunnery school guns, four to each mounting, on the roof ofthe at Whale Island in Portsmouth, were carefully turret. The IS-inch gun crews manned these weighing them up. against close air attack. The turret officer, The most important jobs were concerned Henry, and his midshipman naturally, went up with the ship's anti-aircraft defence. For this with the gun's crews. Happily this did not the Valiant had been recently modernised and arise for several weeks (when the aircraft carried twin turrets of 4.5-inch high angle carrier Illustrious was put out of action by guns set in batteries of four guns, each group Stukas) and I had moved to a less exposed covering one quarter of the ship. Then came action station. the much-vaunted 'Chicago Pianos'. These When 'repel aircraft' was sounded, in were enormous mountings, each with eight harbour as at sea, to get inside B turret I had to 30mm barrels and vast trays of belted run along an exposed deck within just a few ammunition. The shells self-destructed at feet of the muzzles of a 4.5 inch battery; my 3,OOOft and when firing made a satisfactory fear was that the guns might start firing before thumping sound of great intensity. I had dipped through the hole under the Within 24 hours ofjoining Valiant the fleet overhang of the large 15 inch turret. Happily put to sea for a sweep along the North African this never happened to me. coast. This large fleet, all leaving the restricted J. KANE harbour of Alexandria after dark, as was their LIEUT. CDR, RN Forbidden Areas

One Two N 1935 we paid a visit in the small aircraft Two or three days before, three of us went for I carrier Hermes to three ports in Japan, a walk in the hills overlooking the city. We ending in a visit to Nagasaki. had been walking for some time and We were to sail for exercises with the rest of commented that there was no one about, when the China Fleet at 1800 on a Sunday. we came to a large notice in several languages The Petty Officers' Mess had been given including English, which said we were in a permission to go on a picnic in a cutter to one prohibited zone. of the small islands in the harbour. Luckily we were able to retrace our steps I was on duty in the afternoon and was without being spotted. horrified to see our cutter and the Petty Officers being towed by a Japanese steamboat Three past the ship and up to the top of the harbour. In the Spring of 1938 we arrived at Gibraltar We got in touch with our Consul who learnt in the Cornwall, which was at the time a Boys' that the Petty Officers had landed on a most Training Ship. We had landed Lord Chatfield secret island and were being interrogated to at Marseilles, after he had attended the see if they were spies. combined exercises of the Home and Our Captain, the Hon. George Fraser, was Mediterranean Fleets. very reluctant to make a signal to the We learnt that the previous week the pocket Commander-in-Chief to say we were unable battleship Deutschland had been at Gibraltar. to sail. Just about the time we were due to sail She had given leave and shortly afterwards the the Consul said that if the Captain landed in top of the Rock was seen to be covered with full dress and bowed and apologised to the German officers and men in uniform. Governor of the Port it was possible that the The authorities were naturally very Petty Officers and cutter would be allowed to concerned and questioned the Army sentries return. by the entrance to the Forbidden Zone. This is what happened and we sailed about Their orders were that only officers and two hours late. men from the armed forces in uniform were to The men had just lit a fire on the island and be allowed through. were starting to cook a meal, when they were Nothing was said about nationality. aware of Japanese Marines, armed and in full combat gear, crawling towards them through RICHARD PHILLIMORE the bushes. COMMANDER, RN

153 p

Kipling at Sea

F Rudyard Kipling is thought of at all these in the Flagship for the Channel Fleet I days it is probably as the writer of stories of manoeuvres, as recounted in 'Their Lawful India, its people and its Army. Having been Occasions' in the book Traffics and educated in England at a school which Discoveries. He 'missed his ship on sailing' prepared boys for Sandhurst and Woolwich and took part instead aboard a small torpedo (his eyesight debarred him from the Army) he boat. ('''Join us - buy a 'am an' see life," said returned to India and saw a lot of both the Petty Officer Second Class Pyecroft.') 'Indian Army' and the 'Army in India' and of In my youth I knew a retired naval officer the native people, and a lot of his writing who had then been in that same boat. He told reflects that. But he wrote about much more me that Kipling, made free of the ship by her than those. In prose and verse he depicted captain, talked with every one aboard her vignettes of English history from Roman (there were not many). 'He knew just how to times, the men and manners of modem phrase a question to produce the greatest England, war in the trenches and, rather information,' he told me, 'and after a couple of surprisingly, about the sea and ships. days he knew more about that ship than any Kipling's affection for the Navy began in one man in her.' 'Lawful Occasions' shows it. 1891 when after a serious illness in England He must, however, have been at sea in a big he was returning to India via the Cape and on ship at some time, for the tenseness in a ship of board the 'gigantic three thousand ton liner, the Fleet at sea in fog is well described in his the Moor', he met a Naval Captain who was poem 'The Wet Litany' preceding 'Their en route to take up a new command at Simons Lawful Occasions'. Town. A 'life-long friendship' began, and he 'The Ballad of the Clamperdown' in introduced Kipling to the Naval society of Barrack Room Ballads, written in the 1880s, Cape Town 'where the Admiral of the Cape describes a fictional battle fought by an early Station lived in splendour, with at least a brace turret-gun ship which was ended by boarding of live turtles harnessed to the end of the little the enemy when her two turrets had been put wooden jetty, swimming about until due to be out of action. taken up for turtle soup'. He goes on to During the First World War he wrote much describe a 'rag' at the Naval Club there after 'a about the Navy and its tasks in both prose and polite suggestion to a newly appointed verse. The stresses of Channel patrol were Lieutenant-Commander that the fore-topmast well depicted in 'Sea Constables' in Debits of his tiny gunboat wanted staying forward'. and Credits, while in The Five Nations are the That was undoubtedly the germ of Kipling's poems, 'Cruisers', and 'Destroyers'. The story 'Judson and the Empire' in the book Submarine Service is recognised, though in Many Inventions. In that tale he brings to life pre-war exercises, in Traffics and Discoveries the relationships among the ship's company of by the verses introducing 'Their Lawful a small ship a century ago and the extent to Occasions' beginning, which comparatively junior officers, out of The wind went down with the sunset, touch when detached, were expected to have The fog came up with the tide, some knowledge of international politics and When the Witch of the North took an to use initiative. Another that must have come eggshell from stories heard was 'A Flight of Fact', With a little blue devil inside. from Land and Sea Tales, which deals with a In his little book, The Fringes of the Fleet naval aircraft's crew who found themselves Kipling describes the wartime doings of the with problems while flying about a Pacific sweepers, submarines, and patrols in the archipelago. Once again his detail is accurate Channel, sometimes in prose, sometimes in and surprising. verse, always accurately. 'We'll meet again,' said my Captain, 'and if The Royal Marines were not overlooked, ever you want a cruise, let me know.' From and in The Seven Seas is a poem, 'Soldier and this must have sprung the invitation to embark Sailor Too', while in Traffics and Discoveries

154 KIPLING AT SEA 155 is an entertammg tale, 'The Bonds of detail, and particularly technical detail, that Discipline', ofhow a cruiser's ship's company makes his writing so fascinating, though he staged a display of sloth and indiscipline did not do it unhelped, and says in his culminating in an 'execution' of a Royal autobiography, 'I have had miraculous Marine for mutiny, for the misinformation escapes in technical matters. Luckily men of (though the term had not arrived then) of a the sea and the engine room do not write to the French spy masquerading as a Portuguese papers.' Elected to the Athaneum at the age of refugee. thirty-three, he 'realised that if one wanted to Kipling's writings kept the Navy well in the know anything from forging an anchor to public eye, but his seafaring was not with the forging antiquities one would find the world's Navy alone. Some of his tales of marine ultimate expert there at lunch. [There was] an engineering were set in merchant ships, and old General who had begun life as a Middy in others, such as 'An Unqualified Pilot' in Land the Crimea before he entered the Guards. He and Sea Tales or 'A Disturber of Traffic' in was a fearless yachtsman and dealt with me Many Inventions dealt with the difficulties of faithfully if I made technical errors in any tale river pilotage or with lighthouse service. of mine that interested him.' While living for some years in the United One of the surprising aspects of Kipling's States he had met a Doctor Conland, who had writings is his apparent familiarity with ship been with the cod fishing fleet on the Grand construction, and steam engines both on rails Banks of Newfoundland in his youth. From and at sea. The former is illustrated in 'The his experiences came another full book, Ship that Found Herself in the book The Captains Courageous. Kipling wrote, 'My Day's Work. The story begins with the part was the writing, his the details.' In the launching of a freighter, and the woman who course of writing the story, Kipling said, he launched her saying, 'Isn't she a beauty!', to and ConIand moved among the fishermen of which the captain designate replies, 'Now, Boston harbour, 'assisted hospitable tug­ she's just irons and rivets and plates put into masters to shift schooners round the harbour, the form of a ship. She's got to find herself and boarded every craft that looked as if she yet.' The rest is a detailed description of the might be useful' - an example of Kipling's inter-relationship of every part of her and how quest for detail. they come to settle in to 'pull together' in an In his autobiography, Something ofMyself, Atlantic storm on her maiden voyage. he describes how his inherited ability with Kipling includes in that story the part words was enhanced by the wide reading of played by the engines, and it is a good which he was made free in his Headmaster's technical account, too, but more detailed and library. Study of the varying styles of the technical are his 'Devil amid the Deep Sea' writers there gave him the flexibility of style and 'Bread upon the Waters', both also in The with which he later wrote. Day's Work, while 'M'Andrew's Hymn' from He was born in India, and went straight The Seven Seas used to be found framed in from his English school to being a reporter on many a Chief Engineer's cabin. a big Indian newspaper, which gave him a He was indeed not just a teller of stories of grounding in expressing much in the fewest India, and the Navy of his day owed much to words and experience in eliciting facts with him for what would now be termed his 'P.R.' the fewest questions, and a close acquaintance writings on its behalf. Today, we can learn with the Army and the native people. from his writings some amusing stories and It was his training as a reporter that refined some idea of the Navy as it went about its in him the ability to create a picture with the business then. He's still worth reading. minimum of words, and that trained him to get his colour from the men - and women - he 1. LENNOX-KING met by the use of keen observation and by COMMANDER, RNZN listening to them. It is his skill in depicting -- For the Royal Navy, on the prospect of leaving the Painted Hall and the Chalk Gallery at Greenwich Palace, 1998

'Nautis sublevandis destinata'

ERE, you'd have dined on hard-tack like a king, H Your King, meanwhile, promoted to a god Over your head; instead, the old men trod -

Between the bases where the columns spring

And Dome fronts Dome - that vault from Wing to Wing, Trampling their pipe-stubs down to dust, dry-shod Through a white, meridian sea. Their steady plod

Stacked memory here: it meant the mirroring Of Hospital in College, West in East, And like raked embers, warmed the rising yeast

Which worked on, Course by Course, towards this Hall; Until we sensed, above its silvered feast

Time's crest, toppling towards us like a wall

As each prospective Tenant pitched his stall.

2312/98 ROBERT COCKCROFf

156 Correspondence

SUEZ 40 YEARS ON write this I am looking at photographs of a Sir,-I originally decided to keep my trap shut mangled 'Flycatcher' being hoisted back on after reading John Winton's article in the board out of the drink; and the wreckages of a October 1996 issue, but, after chattering 'Blackburn Bison' and a 'Fairey IIIF' being recently with some of my senior staff at the hauled out of the side netting. And a lot more. time, I now think that a full response is called I pass on to a 'Firebrand' crashing on for in answer to his criticisms of a ship we Implacable's flight deck and bursting into were all very proud of. I am in a position to do flames; then to 'Attackers' and 'Sea Hawks' this as I left her in July 1956 - sadly for me not crash-landing on Eagle. long before ~uez - after an initially difficult, These are just a few vignettes of life up-top but finally rewarding, two and a half years as in a carrier. Along with these go full-power or her 'Chief. I think that lowe it to the splendid near it, on the engines six to eight times a day; team that I led in the second commission to around a hundred launches and recoveries; for correct the rather sour impression he leaves on days on end, and sometimes in marginal record. weather. All systems go, and it ill becomes I would like to start by clearing away one anyone to cry havoc when just occasionally side issue that may have had a bearing. I am something goes wrong. I fear that leprechauns absolutely astonished that there was no are in the eye of the beholder. official recognition of the bravery and Eagle did not have a good start in life. I efficiency shown by those, of whom he was have no intention of pointing the finger of one, concerned with extinguishing the criticism at anyone here, but when I took over extremely serious hangar fire. John has told she was neither an efficient ship nor an me about this and I can only assure him that, entirely happy one. It was not necessarily the had I still been there, the outcome would have fault of the people concerned - with one or been very different. No names, no pack drill, two exceptions - but rather, in my view, ofthe and some of those concerned are no longer system. with us, but I think that the whole affair The Engine Room Department provides all reflects adversely on the senior officers the power for flying operations; the speed for concerned. launching and recovery; and the operation of I am equally astonished, however, at his the catapults, barriers, and arrestor wires. rather emotionally critical comments on his Fuelling the aircraft too. Total teamwork and ship. It is simply not true that she was integration with Commander (Air) and his 'chronically accident prone on an almost men is an absolute must. If the machinery is operatic scale'; and nor were her sailors not kept in tip-top condition then flying 'convinced that the ship builders had locked a efficiency will suffer. Proper upkeep is black leprechaun up inside her', at least not essential. the sailors I spoke to! And his comments The concept of Planned Upkeep was not about 'everything being designed to work in new to me. I had learnt much from my father the most awkward time consuming and who had led the way here for many years in labour-intensive way' are just plain silly as the Royal Navy, and practised it in total applied to one ship. Eagle was designed the understanding and co-operation with those same as any other Fleet Carrier to meet war illustrious sailors Admirals Fisher, Noble and requirements. A little over the top, then, John? Horton. At the end his running of the You have to accept that life in an Maintenance Command in Western operational Carrier is life at full stretch. Approaches was a vital factor in the winning Challenging; exhilarating; fascinating - and, of that battle. I treasure a crumpled piece of in the nature of it, filled with potential hazard. paper in my possession which says at the end Lesser mortals should keep out. My father and '(Wildish) has contributed in great measure to I, between us, spent some seven or eight years the successful outcome of the U-Boat War. I in Carriers as 'Chief' and 'Senior' and as I know of no other officer, not actually in the

157 158 CORRESPONDENCE battle line, who is more worthy of special fully documented maintenance schedules for recognition for his services during this war'. ship's machinery. Captains D. J. Hoare (later Max Horton was not one to cast bunches of Rear Admiral and DAMR) and A. F. Turner roses around indiscriminately, and this was for (later Admiral and 4SL) both had AlE planned upkeep on a vast scale. backgrounds and were intent on introducing What did I find in the Eagle? Totally aircraft style upkeep to ships. We got together unreliable flight machinery above all else. To and Eagle got the first fully programmed this day I can hear the voice of 'Buster' Hallett ship's machinery maintenance system ever in (Cdr Air) over the 'bullhorn'; 'Chief! see you the Royal Navy, to go along with the Carrier at flight-deck level. The arrestor gear is VIS. Cycle. I was delighted. The jets have three, repetition three, minutes All this took place during Eagle's refit and left before they must divert. How long before installation ofthe interim angled deck, and our the gear is ready?' And I remember Walter new Skipper joined, a press on aviator, the Couchman, highly intelligent FOHS, and my highly decorated Captain E. D. G. Lewin. I other boss as his SEO, writing behind my back was lucky here. Appalled at what he had heard to complain to the Engineer-in-Chief about the of Eagle's past record he was determined on a unreliability of the catapults. We sorted this clean sweep of all remains of the first out and talked of what to do. Before he hauled commission. My head was on the block; but down his Flag he sent a directive to my my Appointers stood firm and I stayed on to a Captain, Holland-Martin, which, in effect, wholly fulfilling relationship with 'Drunky'. I said 'Eagle has never in this commission remember our first meeting on board when he achieved the operational capability for which listened to my run-down on affairs, and then she was designed. You are to investigate why, quietly said 'Chief I have spent much of my and make proposals'. Northey (Executive life flying behind a single reciprocating Officer) was detailed off as Chairman, and the engine. You don't have to lecture me on the small Committee included me and a need for proper maintenance. Rather you and Lieutenant Commander on the Flying staff. I, together, have got to persuade our Admiral'. If I tend to blow my own trumpet here it is So a future opened up full ofhope. It wasn't only because it was my department that had an easy start. It never is with a new failed - for whatever reason - and it was up to commission. I commanded an outfit of some us to find a better way forward. I sought, and twenty-five officers and around five hundred got, agreement to two major proposals:- men. Fortunately many ofthe ChiefERAs and (a) an operating cycle basically Chief Stokers were volunteers to stay on from comprising two weeks' intensive flying the last commission, and they were a grand (Monday to Friday week), followed by a lot. However of the three hundred, or so, week's self-maintenance in harbour. junior rates some two hundred were straight (b) the operational period to be spent out of training. So there was a lot to get on continually at sea, replenishing under with, and - yes, incidents did occur. There way, thus avoiding the daily light-up and were some floods, and I think, a minor fire, shut-down that engines don't like and nor and there was the major flood in the boiler do their minders. room that Philip Seymour referred to in the We set a target of a hundred sorties a day, January issue ( and I am particularly grateful dawn to dusk, to meet the flying requirement, to him for his kind words). But it all soon a target considerably higher than performance started to click. Our near full-power six times to date. a day, and firing the main armament a hundred These concepts were accepted and the times a day, became routine. Team work with Carrier Cycle became a fact of life. While all the Air Department was superb, and one day this was going on two determined, and we hit a record two hundred and one sorties. talented, Captains in the Engineer-in-Chiefs Showed up the Americans, too, when Department were beavering away at an operating with them and cross decking. We important related project - the preparation of were all very proud. All?

.. CORRESPONDENCE 159 Anyone who has read Neil McCart's book Humphrys' article largely coincides with will discover the full story of the success that my recollections, but there are a few points 1 followed for Eagle for another four can add and perhaps stress a few others. The commissions. His tale is one of continued vital operational factor was of course the lack splendid operational achievement interspersed of air cover. With adequate cover there is little with routine planned self-maintenance. doubt that the two capital ships· could have In his words 'so ended the career of one of destroyed the Japanese transports and totally the most powerful warships the Royal Navy frustrated the invasion. The unavailability of had ever possessed. She had also been one of Indomitable was most unfortunate, but to send the happiest and most efficient, serving the the two ships without air cover, in the full country well'. knowledge that the RAP's capability was far I am proud to have served in her, and to from adequate, demonstrated a lack of have played a small, but formative, part in her understanding of the characteristics of ships' long and successful career. I hope that my armament which was, to put it mildly, words will help to set the record straight. reprehensible. We had other carriers. This D. B. N. WILDISH failure has often been attributed to Tom VICE ADMIRAL Phillips, which is most unjust. He was not gullible enough to think that in his position he THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF could succeed, and strongly resisted the BRITISH PRESTIGE IN THE EAST expedition without air power. The fault lies Sir,-In 'The beginning of the end of British much higher up, partly at the Admiralty but prestige in the East' (NR, Oct. '97) certainly at Cabinet level. With a man like Commander Humphrys comments that the Churchill, with his mastery of rhetoric, one Prince of Wales 'had carried out a bitty must exonerate the Board and operational programme without gaining much useful staff. If you have never argued with Churchill fighting experience,' ... Really? It was her you can have little idea how dictatorial and gunnery officer who spotted that the Prinz opinionated he was. He always thought he Eugen was leading the Bismarck, which in knew better than senior officers and had a consequence was not being engaged by the vastly exaggerated belief in the power ofnaval Hood; and it was a hit by the Prince ofWales guns, whose difference from the military which led to the Bismarck being sunk, despite weapons he never understood. the calamity of l4-inch turrets jumping off In January 1941 a conference of their roller paths. As to morale, having served commanders in the Far East recommended with her captain, John Leach, I can only 582 aircraft should be supplied, which the suggest that, had she been a private ship when Chiefs of Staff reduced to the figure of 336. sent out east, she might well have been But Churchill wrote: happier. It was her fate to be victim of the I do not remember to have given my errors of two admirals; the first failed to approval for these very large diversions deploy correctly, and the second scorned the of forces... The political situation in the air threat. The Prince of Wales was a Far East does not seem to require, and the magnificent ship, finely commanded. strength of our Air Force by no means IAN MCGEOCH warrants, the maintenance of such large forces in the Far East at this time. Sir,-I read Comdr Humphrys' interesting Instead of 582 aircraft the RAF had only article while in Singapore staying with my 158 obsolescent Swordfish, Wildebeeste and son, who has an influential situation there and Brewster Buffaloes, many unairworthy. Only is in a position to make judgments of the Hurricanes could match the Zeros, and 200 present climate of opinion, which I discussed were sent to Russia in 1941. Even so the local extensively with him. I was also able to go to RAF optimistically estimated they could the Singapore Archives, now housed in a new destroy 70% of the enemy aircraft - without building and beautifully kept. knowing how many would be opposed. 160 CORRESPONDENCE Phillips vigorously resisted the expedition carriers at the Battle of the Coral Sea a month without air cover. His previous appointment later. had been VCNS and he knew Australia was From memory, Tenedos was the only one of uneasy. Sir Earle Page had been sent to Force Z to escape and when Colombo was London to represent to the War Cabinet the bombed, she was sunk in the harbour. She, and need for reinforcements and Smuts was of the the AMC Hector lay upright on the bottom, same view. On the way out, at Capetown, their upper decks awash, in the next billet to Phillips flew to see him and Smuts my ship, until the end of the war. telegraphed London of the danger of a 'first But my visit to Singapore has convinced me class disaster' . that a magnificent little country has arisen. When he sailed from Singapore Phillips left The mixture of races and religions working in Admiral Palliser behind to ensure the RAF friendship together - Muslim and Hindu, provided what little assistance it could, but on Chinese and Japanese, Malay and European, 9 December Palliser signalled Phillips that no Christian and Buddhist, Jew and Gentile, is an air cover would be available. The decision was example to Northern Ireland and the Balkans. on the orders of the Air Vice Marshal Pulford, All are proud of the order and prosperity of Air Officer Commanding. There was little their efficient country. All work hard for that point in Phillips breaking wireless silence and prosperity and my son confirms the ample arguments against it. But carriers and impression I gained so strongly - that it is far RAF reinforcements were available; the from the end of British Prestige in the East. aircraft fruitlessly sent to Russia would have The admiration and - yes - affection the saved Malaya, and four months later we had people of all racial origins have for Great three carriers in the Eastern Fleet. Britain is stronger than ever. They have not But the decision of the civilian Governor, forgotten that the Englishman, Raffles, started Sir Shenton Thomas, to forbid the sounding of the planting of rubber in Malaya and founded sirens, in case it should frighten the civilian Singapore (without authority!) population, until 15 minutes before the bombs GEOFFREY PENN began to fall, when it was too late, (the RAF station had to be awakened at 0400) is Sir,-Having read the correspondence on Cdr inexplicable. Humphrys' article with great interest, The Military commander, General Percival, especially the 'red herring' of Indomitable's surrendered 'unconditionally'. There is debate crucial non-availability, may I add a postscript about the 'unconditional' nature of the which is not generally known. surrender. The word did not appear in the Whilst serving as NA in Tokyo in 1968­ surrender document, of which Percival was 1969, the office was constantly assailed by given no copy, but I have seen a transcript of unusual requests. A relevant one was from the the negotiations in which the question was put former Commander (E) ofthe Repulse (then in to Percival: his 70s) who was on a World Tour. He wished Yamashito: Unconditionally? to call in at Tokyo to have the opportunity to Percival: Yes. host a dinner for as many of the original Phillips should never have been placed by Japanese aircrew we could muster who took the politicians in the absurd position he was. part in the successful sortie against our big 'The surrender of Singapore is the blackest ships. We found about a dozen rather page in our military history for all time.' surprised volunteers who were pleased to be The attack was not an isolated one. It was entertained royally at the Okura Hotel and no the Japanese intention to attack Ceylon and doubt surprised to be given recognition and Calcutta similarly, with the object of taking praise of their behaviour by their 'ex' enemy. India. Of 32 RAF planes, 25 were lost. This was to thank them for making sure that Nagumo, out at sea, sank Cornwall, the Cdr (E) plus a dozen other survivors on a Dorsetshire and Hermes. But at Ceylon his lone Carley raft from Repulse were picked up losses meant he had only two out of five by one of the destroyer escorts which were CORRESPONDENCE 161 'conned' to their position by one of their earmarked to be sunk at the entrance to Tripoli aircraft. Throughout, the destroyers were harbour, thus blocking the port. Admiral allowed to pick up all survivors unmolested Cunningham had previously refused to detail and the Commander was determined that he Barham for such a task. would show his appreciation and thanks for However this operation was cancelled and conduct which the official 'histories' (he said) Centurion was told to proceed to Alexandria had signally failed to do. via the Cape. But this destination was also P.P.S. At about this time, many Japanese altered and Centurion sailed for Bombay were keen to go to Europe and the UK for the where she was to remain for nine months. first time. Our office had to spend Then an event occurred which put Centurion considerable time locating people in the UK back again in the limelight. She was now to they wanted to see again, having 'met' them in masquerade as Duke of York and make the war, in one way or another. With the co­ amends for the damage to Queen Elizabeth operation ofthe Admiralty and War Office we and Valiant by Italian underwater charioteers. were mostly successful, but it was time She was filled to overflowing with food and consuming for both ends of the system. As a other necessities and proceeded in convoy for minor personal 'retaliation' on my part, I Malta. Within three days Centurion was hit by asked my Japanese Naval Liaison Officer a 1,000lb bomb and returned to Alexandria (later a large rumbustious NA in London with with a heavy bow down angle. After repairs an outsize sense of humour) to see if he could she was intended to block the Suez Canal if locate the ex-Gunnery Officer of the Haguro need arose. But other tasks were ahead of her with which we, in the 26th DF had come to and early in 1944 she was detailed as a blows on 16 May 1945. I thought a lunch blockship for the Normandy landings. Her last would be interesting and illuminating to resting place was the beach off Varreville in discuss that memorable encounter. The Normandy. invitation went out, and he reported that the As to her speed, she once touched 18 knots ex-Gunnery Officer was overcome with all and she was converted to oil burning. manner ofjoy, delight and honour to be asked, PATRICK TAILYOUR but apologised as only a Japanese can, to be excused 'this time'. Having become a very Sir,-Early in 1938, during my first term as a public figure, and one of Japan's wealthiest Cadet (E) in HMS Erebus, we were taken to TV tycoons, I don't doubt he had no wish to be see HMS Centurion, as a technological reminded of the part he played in the development in which we should take an Haguro's sinking that night. My informant interest. It certainly interested me. All this and I with gin in our hands and tears in our took place almost 60 years ago, but my eyes agreed it was 'Game, Set and Match' memory of its machinery installation is still once again! I never did know his name! reasonably clear. JOHN ROBATHAN The machinery layout was the standard for CAPTAIN, RN 'Dreadnought' type battleships. There were four shafts, direct driven by the main turbines; HMS CENTURION high pressure turbines (200 psi) were sited in Sir,-In the October issue I asked whether any small wing engine rooms and discharged their member knew about the service of the World exhaust steam through the longitudinal War I battleship HMS Centurion in World bulkhead that separated the wing engine War II. I have received information from rooms from the centre one, into two large LP Mr 1. A. Allan of New Zealand who kindly turbines, which due to the line of the shafting, sent me some information which was had to be mounted low down, so that there was published in Blackwood's Magazine in no space to fit the condensers underneath January 1946. She was designed to them. The exhaust steam from the LP turbines masquerade as HMS Anson but soon after was led, by huge rectangular ducts, beautifully commissioning in April 1941 she was encased in mahogany strip over the lagging, to p

162 CORRESPONDENCE

two condensers sited towards the crown of the wildly enthusiastic about their jobs. Allowing compartment. To go astern, there was a for the relatively primitive electronics of the separate astern turbine on the forward end of day, it was remarkably successful. eachLP. Regrettably, we did not go to sea in the ship. The auxiliary machinery was spread around DAVID GARSTIN the main engines and there were, as far as I can CAPTAIN, RN remember, one or two dynamos in the centre engine room. The remote control was fitted THE MANAGEMENT OF FEAR only to the main throttles; I cannot remember Sir,-Admiral Le Bailly's article on the whether it was fitted to the astern as well as management of fear was thought provoking. the ahead throttles, but I think not. The Readers looking for a different style of auxiliary machinery in the engine room was management may care to read Fabulous left to look after itself and did not, in general, Admirals by Geoffrey Lowis wherein will be need altering, once set. found the following. Forward of the engine rooms was a number Admiral Lord Howe was awoken one night of boiler rooms, each containing either four or by the Officer of the Day. 'My Lord,' he six small Babcock (I think) boilers, but they panted, 'the ship is in grave danger. A gale may have been three-drum, then called blows and we drag anchors on to a lee shore. Yarrow. Saturated steam, of course. I am But have no fear, my Lord. We are exerting certain that the boiler rooms used for remote ourselves to the utmost to make sail and avert control had been converted to oil firing - it disaster. ' would have been quite impracticable to try to The Admiral looked calmly at his use coal. I think that two boiler rooms were lieutenant. 'Tell me sir,' he replied, 'how fear converted, but it may have been only one. feels. I can see how it looks.' There was some arrangement for putting on D. T. FROST and taking off sprayers by remote control and COMMANDER, RN also for varying the fuel pump pressure, to control boiler pressure over a limited range, THE SINKING OF SS KHEDIVE ISMAIL but I remember being told that it was a bit Sir,-Spencer Drummond's interesting review inflexible, which limited the power to of The Sinking of the SS Khedive Ismail (NR manoeuvre the ship and, I think, that we were Book Review II, Jan 1998) reminds me of our told that they could not stop by remote control, own experiences in CS4 under Rear-Admiral other than by using what later generations A. D. Read flying his flag in my ship, the came to call the 'Scram button'. I am pretty Newcastle, with I think Kenya and Norfolk, or certain that there was no form of automatic another of that great County-class. We left boiler control, where the boiler followed the Calcutta in a hurry early in 1944, refuelled at demand for steam, but I may be wrong about Colombo, and steamed at best speed, about 22 this. I think that we were told that the knots, to Port Louis, Mauritius, where we maximum speed in remote control was 12 again refuelled and changed evaporator coils knots and the ship could, of course, be steered (a story in itself of two excellent remotely from the destroyer. Mechanicians) before sweeping south the In its target role, the ship was fired on to hit same day, eventually I believe beyond 35"S, in by shells up to six inch. Above that, the bigger search of one of the two submarine supply guns used 'Throw-off' firing, so that they did ships known to be in the Indian Ocean. We not hit the ship intentionally. We were shown returned to Grand Port Mauritius, where we how much damage even a six inch practice awaited news from the RAP's very long-range shell could do and we were told that, due to Catalinas and elsewhere, which led us to send Sodd's Law, the aerials for the remote control the Rocket and Relentless to seek out what were quite frequently shot away. must have been the Charlotte Schliemann It was clear that the whole business was somewhere NW of Mauritius. They found her great fun and that the people involved were one tropical dawn, were mistaken for cruisers, CORRESPONDENCE 163 and the supply ship fired her scuttling charges; which swelled the ranks of the Regular that was lucky because, when the destroyers Service. I was intrigued by his story, fired their torpedoes, recently loaded in especially his decision not to transfer to the Mombasa, not one of them went off, and it USN where he was promised a Brass Hat and transpired that the enemy had a 9.2in gun and destroyer command and the later might well have blown them out of the water. disappointment when he was passed over for Perhaps Paladin and Petard had obtained their command in the RN. Reading between the torpedoes from the same dud batch. lines it seems he came into conflict with his Later our squadron, with the woolworth Commanding Officer and the death ofCaptain carrier Boxer (?) left Colombo or Trincomalee Walker RN was a greater blow to him that one for a sweep near the equator, in search of the would have thought. other supply ship; I remember being amazed Some years ago I ended up being the First that the Swordfish could operate at all in such Lieutenant of one of our Frigates and found atrocious sea conditions. I believe that enemy sympathy in the experiences Commander was also sunk; she may well have been the one Cherry underwent. I did try then to contact the on which the Japanese Ro.110 (sunk the day publishers of the book to find out if I could before) and the 1.27 (which sank the Khedive contact him, but alas they were no longer in Ismail on 12 February - and nearly the existence. So what did happen to him? Did he Paladin too when her hydroplane sliced into revert to being a Wall Street Stockbroker? It is her engine room) were depending to continue an intriguing question to which somebody their attacks along the several regular shipping must know the answer. lanes passing not far from Addu Atoll. R. J. MARTIN Losses in that convoy included a number of COMMANDER, RNZN Admiral Somerville's staff being transferred from Mombasa to Trinco or Colombo; A LITTLE HISTORY amongst them were several Wrens, some of Sir,-I read OTH's letter bemoaning the lack of whom had I believe taken passage with me a naval history chair at Oxbridge with from the Tail of the Bank in the troopship considerable interest, having been called upon Llangibby Castle to Suez, and then in the by no less a personage than the Pro-Vice­ Henderson-line's coal burner Salween, in Chancellor of the University of Hull, with which we coaled ship at Aden and then begging bowl! crossed the Line with due ceremony before I feel sure you are aware of it, but it may be landing in Mombasa. I remember one of the of interest to the membership at large, that the few survivors became my boats' ERA in the U of H has set up a Maritime Historical Newcastle, and took time to recover from his Studies Centre. There is already a Lectureship ordeal. which focuses on the economic aspects of MICHAEL RANKEN maritime history, and they are working towards the establishment of a Lectureship on SHIPS IN CONVOY the technical and scientific aspects, plus a Sir,-I was intrigued by the correspondence in range of scholarships etc. etc. In today's the recent issues ,regarding 'Ships in Convoy' climate I think it would be too much to ask to see the name Commander Alex Cherry that a specifically Naval History chair be set mentioned in the text. I have often wondered up, not least because it is impossible to what became of him as his book Yankee RN disentangle the political, economic, social, had a profound influence on my appreciation technical etc. strands which make up the of the war at sea and of the RN as a service. whole of maritime history - and not forgetting Writing from a unique perspective he was able geography, climatology, archaeology. .. to bring to life the way the Service operated, Therefore Hull's initiative must be the next especially the interactions of personalities best thing, and I would think that it merits the within the traditions which at that time gave so wholehearted support of the members of the much support to the many thousands of HOs Review. The address is the Maritime 164 CORRESPONDENCE

Historical Studies Centre, U of H, Hull HU6 But then, I was not allowed to find out. 7RX, tel. 01482 465608, Fax 466126, and I C. M. 1. CARSON feel sure that Professor Lloyd (the PVC) COMMODORE, RN would be delighted to hear ofNR interest, and probably only too happy to write you an SUBJECTIVE ISSUES article about it. Sir,-I write with reference to the very R. F. CHANNON interesting article 'Subjective Issues' by Lt CAPTAIN, RN Cdr Martin Dawson (NR, Jan. '98), but would like to take issue with him on two points. AFO 1/56 REVISITED Firstly he says that apart from Aircraft Sir,-MEO's 'AFO 1/56 Revisited' (NR, Jan. Carriers, Corvettes and LSTS were probably '98, p.32) stirred some memories. I was the two most important classes of vessel in our promoted Midshipman (from Cadet) on 1 winning the 1939-45 War. Although I may be January 1956 and was looking forward to considered biased, I feel the Submarine shipping my white stripe which, to an Service should join his elite. If not a war outsider, made one look more important than winner, it was certainly a war saver, one's seaman equivalent. Having gone to particularly in the Mediterranean viz the 10th great expense to put it on my No. 5s I was Flotilla in Malta. bawled out by the DSO of HMS Glasgow He then goes on to say that Corvettes and when I joined her on 6 January for being LSTs (not quite - there were some in Malta improperly dressed. All Officers in HMS 1948- circa early 50s) were scrapped from Glasgow had been required to remove 1945, this through the unfeasibility of coloured stripes on I January 1956 but were appointing RN officers other than in encouraged to sport the appropriately Command or as First Lieutenants, or in certain coloured handkerchief in the top pocket. Not staff appointments. I believe this to be wrong too difficult for Pussers. in fact, as Reserve Qualified Officers held MEO mentions that the Seaman equal status in seniority with their RN Specialisation kept its hands firmly on the counterparts. In my own case in 1944/46 the levers of power, but later on in my career I submarine Scotsman was commanded by experienced what I call reverse prejudice from Lieutenant A. H. B. Anderson DSC RNR and the hierarchy of my Branch. I was the Supply the 'Jimmy' was Lieutenant H. C. Robjohns Officer of HMS Dainty and it was my third RNZNVR. Both the other RN Lieutenant and ship as a Bridge Watchkeeper. As well as my I were very happy to serve under these two normal watchkeeping duties I was the action very fine officers, as indeed was the whole officer of the watch and special sea duty ship's company: some half of whom were officer ofthe watch and I was allowed the odd Active Service. RAS and alongside. My CO, then Commander There were quite a few successful RNR and Peter Maslen, suggested that I should apply to RNVR operational submarine COs with RN take the various command examinations and First Lieutenants. In fact I believe I am correct so I applied for Gunnery and TAS and, that Lieut. Cdr E. P. Young DSC of the Storm reasonably, asked for an exemption in Supply then went on to become the only non-RN and Administration. The response was a Commander SM in HMS Cyclops (Captain handwritten note from the Chief Naval Supply SM7) - where he was much respected. and Secretariat Officer telling me to wind my CFTP neck in, stop rocking the boat and concentrate on matters Supply and Secretariat. Whether A CONFUSING ISSUE this response was prompted from the Master Sir,-I write to confess to becoming confused Race I shall never know but, like MEO, I have whilst reading the correspondence column in never quite understood the mystique of ship the Jan '98 issue. Many of the articles and command and why that should be a letters in recent years have been from retired prerequisite for the ultimate post in the RN. RN and serving or retired RNR officers CORRESPONDENCE 165 exhorting serving RN officers to become more they used to say at (B)RNC. commercial, cost conscious and like the real My son noticed that the rope may be led in world of business. I am sure that they have a several ways. The present lead of the rope number of good points which we should, embraces the drum less than if it were to be indeed, follow. rove so that putting the wheel to port would Lt Cdr H. W. F. Baynham RNR (Alumni, put the rudder to starboard and involves a NR Jan '98) should, therefore, have been tighter turn around the blocks on the deck surprised if staff were employed to find old either side of the drum. The alternative lead boys from his old public school, not surprised would be fair with a greater wrap on the drum, that his request was denied. And, please, do possibly less effort required of the helmsman, remember there can be bad PR for spending and you have the convention 'wheel to port, public money: 'Navy spends thousands tiller to port' which I presume applied in the searching for old school ties'. late l700s. He felt that he was turning the And imagine the fun the press could have if wheel the 'wrong way' but then he is used to a we followed the advice of Lt Cdr John tiller. A small piece of evidence, if such it is. Howard RN (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer Captain Bromley-Martin's recollection and a Gentleman) who appears, in his last (July 1997, p.278) is that in the 1920s the paragraph, to be encouraging expenditure on wheel went the same way as the rudder what he calls 'old boys and girls clubs' as a whatever the person conning the ship ordered, higher priority than that given by the current and that this applied also in HMS Victory and line management. Lord Irvine's £650k could power boats around 1928. Recent soon seem a minor indiscretion? correspondence in The Times initiated by On a different, but also confusing, note Lt FOSM confirms that at some time in the not­ Cdr J. R. Stocker RNR (Horizon Names) too-distant past - before the 1930s - while the believes that the Type 42 Destroyers orders followed the 'tiller' convention, (Edinburgh, York. Glasgow, Nottingham, rudders moved the same way as the wheel. Newcastle etc) are named after towns. As a Can one conclude that merchant ships of the resident of Scotland's capital city and former mid to late 18th Century followed an older MEa of HMS Edinburgh it was at this point fashion - Endeavour having been built as a that I regretted not having a dram before Whitby collier - but that the Royal Navy was reading the Naval Review. leading the way towards harmony in its own­ DAVID GRIFFITHS build ships? The Times letters were on 7, 12, LIEUT. CDR RN 16 and 19 February 1998. In the other naval dimension, in the early HELM OR WHEEL ORDERS 1950s submariners changed their depth orders Sir,-HM Bark Endeavour, in which the from the amount the submarine should Shipwright's Clerk served (January 1998, page descend from its afloat condition to 'keel 46), also employed my son on the two earlier depth', so that some 30 feet or so had to be legs of the ship's UK cruise, and I was able to added to the previously accustomed 'depth'. visit her in Plymouth later. She is steered using HMSIM Talent suffered a bent fin on going a wheel mounted just forward of the mizzen from periscope depth to avoid a surface vessel mast, which in turn is just forward of the fore because, if I remember right, 60 feet was end ofthe tiller, which sweeps the quarter deck called for instead ofthe necessary 90. Was this at ankle height. A rope wound round the drum incident sufficient to impress on the on the wheel shaft is led via blocks to either submariners the need to follow the new side ofthe ship and then back to the tiller. If the practice: and did the surface fleets really helmsman is in any doubt as to which way he is escape unscathed when the wheel orders moving the rudder he has only to turn round changed, as stated by Captain MacKenzie and see the tiller. Turning the top of the wheel RNR in The Times of 12 February? to port moves the tiller to starboard and the G. C. CHAPMAN, rudder to port: 'arrnonious with the motions, as COMMANDER, RN 166 CORRESPONDENCE THE SHOVEWOOD POLARIS HISTORY Sir,-I am pleased that my version of 'The Sir,-August 1996 saw the end of Polaris Shovewood' and its subsequent variations patrols with the decommissioning of HMS were published in the Review, because now Repulse, marked by an impressive ceremony the venerable tale has been given a new lease at Faslane in the presence of John Major. I oflife among at least the current generation of believe it would be fitting for an account now young officers. to be written of that most successful 30 year J. LENNOX-KING Polaris deployment. Advantage could be taken COMMANDER, RNZN of numerous fresh memories available, and any relaxation in security restrictions which EARTHQUAKE RELIEF IN 1939 may now be acceptable. Sir,-A Mr J. Fielding has written to the Anglo May I use The Naval Review as a means of Chilean Society asking for help in locating floating the idea, which could also have photographs of the earthquake disaster which occurred to others, like myself, who were struck Chile in January 1939, in the associated with the programme from start to Concepcion/Ta1cahuano area. Some 30,000 finish. people are believed to have perished. I would, of course, be delighted to assist At the time Mr Fielding was serving in any reader who has the journalistic urge to HMS Ajax. Both HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter take the lead. made all speed to the area and landed COMMANDERP. W. HONEY, RN members of the ships' companies to render 37 Field Lane assistance to the Chilean authorities The Hamptons (alongside the Chilean Navy) in rescuing the Appleton trapped, giving medical help, restoring water Cheshire WA4 5JR and power supplies and in opening up communications. The photographs he took were subsequently lost as a result of war damage. If any Naval Review members are able to help, they should write to: J. E. Fielding 46 Slaidburn Drive Accrington Lanes BB5 OJJ ROGER VENABLES CAPTAIN, RN Book Reviews-I

BROADSHEET 1997/8 course not every unit visited every country; This issue of Broadsheet is the thickest yet nevertheless it was a most impressive and also the most upbeat. It has without doubt deployment and did wonders for British been thought right that the Navy's official reputation in many fields. annual, the organ of leadership and One aspect is particularly well noted in management, should emit a confident note: if Broadsheet and that was the deployment for a the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall month of No. I (Fighter) Squadron RAF, four prepare himself for battle? of whose Harrier GR7s embarked in That this is editorial policy is made clear by Illustrious off Muscat and continued operating the editor himself on page I. Commander Lee from her, via Abu Dhabi and India, finally Hulme in a brief Editorial writes that the disembarking in Malaysia for a long ferry publication 'seeks to emphasise our successes home. Wing Commander Leakey RAF writes and the value, capability and utility of the 'the already lengthy arm of carrier projected modem Royal Navy ... shining out from these air power has been shown to be significantly pages you should sense the energy in our enhanced by inclusion of the GR7 into tailored people... A Service which is justifiably proud Carrier Air Groups - so making best use of all of itself and its achievements.' UK military capabilities'. Amen to that. On the facing page the First Sea Lord's Joint operations are indeed another running Foreword is no less confident but theme of the 1997 Broadsheet. Members will acknowledges the 'uncertainties engendered be aware of the emphasis being placed by all by a Defence Review', the 'manpower higher levels of the Navy's leadership on this shortages that still bedevil us' and the aspect ofBritain's defence posture in the post­ phenomenon of 'change fatigue' - others call cold war era, and it is not just the Strategic it change-upon-change. Nonetheless, after an Defence Review that is driving the Service in exceptionally busy year, he sees the Navy as this direction, but conviction that it is the right having a first class story to tell. way to organise our forces for the diverse, In one sense, 1997 was a relatively easy often unexpected, challenges likely over the year to report. The Ocean Wave deployment next many years. Thus the key 'From the was the largest out-of-area (dreadful phrase ­ Ministry' pieces in Broadsheet set out simple as if we should be confined to any 'area' truths about the influence of technology, the except the sea itself) excursion for very many nature of modem conflict and the increasing years, and included all major elements of importance of littoral areas, and blend them Britain's maritime forces: carrier with into a case whose terms may be well known to embarked air group, amphibious forces (40 many of us but bear repetition. Commando reinforced by 45 Commando for News from sea, scattered around the an exercise in Brunei), nuclear powered publication though focussed in a section submarines and no less than seven RFAs in headed 'The Front Line Building on Success', support. It lasted in all for seven and a half looks generally good. It is indeed astonishing months. No wonder it keeps popping up how much is being done by our lean and lean­ throughout the Broadsheet: a running gag, as manned ships and submarines, air squadrons farceurs used to say. and amphibious forces, supported let's never Not that there was much farce, as reported forget by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Part of in Broadsheet, though clearly a lot of this efficiency - management-speak might enjoyment for the 4,500 men and women who give it a more ponderous title - is due, though took part and had opportunities to see parts of no official would dream of saying so, to the the world that were almost routine to, and diminution of cold-war pressures and the therefore less appreciated by, previous prerogatives of NATO, both formally in the generations. 33 different countries were way of exercise commitments and visited in all. Even old stagers, counting earmarking, and informally in providing carefully, might be hard put to match that. Of enough coppers on the block north of the

167 .....

168 BOOK REVIEWS-I Tropic of Cancer to reassure our European market position'. Enough said, perhaps. Some allies. There are still some such commitments sympathy must lie with the manpower and they are willingly shouldered in planners as they go about their grisly task, but contributions to Standing Naval Forces, with only a trace of bitterness it must be said Partnership for Peace operations and staff and that there has grown up a mystique about liaison work, but the old compulsions are less. manpower planning, and that officers and civil Most of the high workrate though is due to servants steeped in it may not be the best sheer, well, efficiency: but one must recall that people to recommend policies to meet radical an engine running at maximum efficiency has new demands. The new Naval Manning not much margin. Agency may find answers that were That brings the reader on to what is clearly previously not apparent or not adopted. All the most worrying problem of all to today's will wish it well. management: gapping. A two-page article There are references in several parts of called 'Stretching over the Gaps' is frank Broadsheet to the new three-tier commission about its extent and how it came about, and for officers, due to come into effect on 1 April hopeful about the way in which it is being 1999. Beyond the bare bones of a l2-year handled. Initial Commission, a second-tier Career There is 'global gapping', that is to say Commission to age 37 for pension and a Full unfilled complement billets, of 11 % in the Term Commission to 55 - each subject to Royal Navy and 16% in the Royal Marines, selection at the appropriate stage - your mostly in 'other ranks', and at present it is reviewer ended with a pretty fuzzy impression rising. Historians might not think that ofthe flesh. All kinds ofquestions crowded in: amounted to crisis level - there have been some about entry, some about training, some many instances of much worse figures in about ex-ratings, some about promotion wartime let alone peace - but it is more than prospects. May we perhaps expect a more uncomfortable, particularly in acute shortage comprehensive treatment in the next categories where sea-shore ratios are being Broadsheet: or would some NR member in the remorselessly squeezed and family life is the field write a factual article for these pages, first sufferer. within the bounds of confidentiality? It is It is the theme of the article that this acute important that those now outside the Service ­ situation arose principally because the about half the Review's current membership­ Defence Costs Studies of the late '80s and should know as much as can properly be told, early '90s prescribed a one-third cut in naval for it is often they whom parents or potential (RN and RM) numbers from 1990 to 1998 and candidates will approach for advice in the first in the outturn, for the RN, this fell almost instance. entirely in the period 1992-96. A decision then Both the Controller and the Chief of Fleet had to be made on how to strike the balance Support have limited Broadsheet space this between imposing massive redundancies or time. The Controller has the easier task of turning off the recruiting tap completely. It is exposition; after all, conceptual studies turn clear that the decision tended quite into plans, and plans into craft and equipment, significantly towards the latter course. and you can have descriptions and yes As a Flag Officer Admiralty Interview pictures of both. Support is a more abstract Board who saw his entry target reduce from subject viewed in the round, and needs highly 800 at his appointment in 1981 to 350 when he charged treatment to make the right impact on left in 1983 (both figures approximate), and the reader. It lends itself to some sort of saw some of the crazy situations that resulted storytelling -A Month in the Life of a from that roller-coaster, your reviewer is not Paperclip, if one may be flippant - by way of likely to give an impartial view on the merits explanation, to satisfy those who want to of these difficult choices The article in know, and some do, why all the changes in Broadsheet admits that so far there has been organisation and management have come an 'inability to re-establish our recruiting about and in what way things are now better. BOOK REVIEWS-I 169 It is good to see twelve pages of feature Spain, France and the USA (2 classes) shows articles covering the International Festival of remarkable similarities between the ships. The the Sea (Portsmouth, 28-31 August 1998), the complement for the RN version seems to have great changes in progress at Faslane, the Royal reduced from 325 (NR Oct '97, p.388) to 265, Naval Museum Portsmouth's Development and considerable attention has been paid in it Plan, King George's Fund for Sailors, The to the configuration of the superstructure and Nautical Institute and a memoir of Captain airflow over the helideck to improve airborne Walker of Western Approaches fame. These operations. The new USN LPD 17 class (now form a suitable pendant to another highly the 'San Antonio' class) is somewhat larger distinguished edition of Broadsheet. Some, to than the others. whom a bottle tends to look half empty, may The Trimaran Demonstrator (NR, Oct '97 think it over-optimistic, its tone more p.392 and April '96, p.l77) is expected to be confident than the facts justify. Maybe it errs ordered in 1998. It will be about 325ft long, on that side: so it should. If the Navy doesn't 66ft beam (over the three hulls) and displace blow its own trumpet, no one will. 1,000 tons. It will have diesel electric RICHARD HILL machinery of 6,700 shp, giving a top speed of 23 knots and 18 knots in sea state 6. THE MARINE ENGINEERS' REVIEW HMS Tracker, the first oftwo new 66ft high Most members of the NR will have received speed coastal training craft, has been delivered Broadsheet 97/98. The article by the by BMT Marine Procurement to the 1st Patrol Controller, 'Naval Procurement Programme', Boat Squadron for attachment to the Oxford covers the same ground as the RN Ships University RN unit. The design is derived section of this review which will therefore be from the P2000 'Archer'-class vessels. limited to qualifying remarks only, drawn The DERA owned and operated research from the Marine Engineers' Review among vessel, Colonel Templer (NR, April '95 other sources. The Broadsheet also included a p.165), has been re-engined with diesel long article on HMS Ocean. Many of the electric machinery driving a single azimuthing intentions for new-design ships and thruster with contra-rotating propellers. This equipment are now released at Conferences. will reduce high levels of radiated and These are reported under the heading now environmental noise. Her primary role is to retitled 'Ship and Equipment Design provide a deep-sea platform for data Conferences' . gathering, research trials of sonobuoys, active dipping sonars and other airborne sensors, on Ships a world-wide basis. This role requires RN extremely accurate positioning. Despite the Controller's article, there are press reports that the CNGF (Type 42 RAN replacement) project is suspect from the The first of the class of six minehunters standpoints of in-service date (the first three (NR, Oct. '97 p.436), HMAS Huon, was ships by 2004) and scope (UK requirement launched at Newcastle, NSW, on 25 July reducing from 12 to eight ships, Italy from six 1997. She will commence trials in April 1998 to two and France from four to two - a total and be handed over at the end of the year. The reduction from 22 to 12 ships). There are design is based on the Italian 'Gaeta' class suggestions that the project is at least two MCMV, with a monocoque grp hull. Details years late, that the specifications are too rigid and equipment were given in the above for three separate national requirements and reference. These may be updated at that MOD is looking at alternative proposals acceptance. for ships with more global capabilities. An interesting comparison of HMS Albion USN and Bulwark with LPDs under construction or The USS Bataan (NR, Oct '96 p.399), the in service with the navies of the Netherlands, fifth of seven 'Wasp' class amphibious assault --

170 BOOK REVIEWS-I carriers, has joined Amphibious Group 2 of hull design, with Paxman engines. USS the Atlantic Fleet and the last ship will be Thunderbolt of this class was at Imdex (see named USS Iwojima. Full details were given below). in the above reference. The first ofthe three 'Seawolf' class SSN is Germany now well into her sea trials. They are larger The FGN has two classes of MEKO than the 'Los Angeles' class (the last being frigates building or on order (MEKO­ USS Cheyenne and not USS Greeneville as MEhrzwec KOmbination or multipurpose previously reported) with surface/submerged combination). Four Type 123 'Brandenburg' displacement 7,460/9,150 tons compared with class are currently completing, displacing 6,330/7,177 tons, shorter, 326ft compared 4,600 tons while the Type 124 'Sachsen' class with 360ft, and greater beam of40ft compared are larger, displacing 5,600 tons. The latter with 33ft, and thus with greater volume. They are intended to meet a NATO requirement for are fitted with eight torpedo tubes and carry a a multi-purpose frigate with an AAW bias mix of up to 50 Tomahawk and Sub-Harpoon and task force command facilities. missiles, and Mk 48 Adcap torpedoes or Considerable attention has been given to mines. Speed is stated to be 'over 35 knots' stealth and the weapon design combines and extremely quiet. The complement is 130, European sensors and software with US living in cramped conditions, including in the missiles, including the Sea Sparrow, and torpedo space. Construction of the third boat other weapons. There are Memoranda of has not yet started and cost is reported to have Understanding with a range of countries for escalated very considerably. different design aspects. Propulsion is by It was this cost escalation that led to the CODAG (Diesel and Gas) rather than New Attack Submarine (NSSN) (NR, Oct. '97 CODQG (QI) plant. Contracts for three ships p.389) of similar capabilities but cheaper with an option for a fourth have been placed design. Agreement on sharing the programme with a consortium of builders, the first ship to between EBDiv and Newport News (NNS) be delivered in 2002 and the rest at two year has been achieved for the first four boats, with intervals (see also the review of the MECON EBDiv being the lead design yard, and conference below). building of compartments, assembly, testing The FGN is also ordering the K-130 and delivery shared between the two corvette. This is a 272ft vessel designed for yards. Baltic operations, with better sea-keeping The new Sealift Command 'Bob Hope' qualities and endurance than an FPB. 15 are class prepositioning support ships (NR, April planned, with the first 5 to be delivered in '97 p.158 and NR, Oct '97 p.389) will shortly 2002-7. enter service. These are very large ships, 950ft A large contract has been placed for a Type long, 106ft beam and draught 34.5ft, 702 'one stop' replenishment ship, capable of displacement 62,000 tons full load, speed 24 extending a Task Force endurance from 21 to knots and endurance 13,000 miles. Up to 49 days. Delivery will be in 1999, with an seven, diesel driven, are being built at option for a second ship. She will be to Avondale, New Orleans and there is a similar commercial standards, length 566ft, beam 79ft order at San Diego, but gas turbine driven. and draught 24ft, displacement 19,670 tons The military payload is 13,260 tons including and a speed of 19.5 knots. She will have a wheeled and tracked vehicles (including main hangar for two MH 90 helicopters, a helideck battle tanks), and 300 troops. They are RoRo able to take Sea Lynx and Sea King, and three vessels with stem and side ramps and 55 ton RAS points. Complement will be 139 with cranes serving hatches. accommodation for 233. Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, NY, has a The German Customs Authority has $23.2m contract to build 14 'Cyclone' class acquired an 80ft CustomslPolice launch, the diesel propelled patrol boats. Displacing 328 Granitz. She is capable of all-weather I tons, they are based on a Vosper Thomeycroft operation in the North Sea and in ice. BOOK REVIEWS-I 171 Norway Qatar The 14 'Hauk' class FPBs are to be The first two 184ft strike craft, Huwar and modernised with new combat management, Barzan, built at Vosper Thornycroft (VT) communications and navigation systems, Portchester and Southampton, have arrived in sensors and structural updates. The first will Qatar. Details were given in NR April '96 return to service in late 2000 and the rest will p.174. follow at 3-4 month intervals. An optional contract for providing 6-8 weapon systems for Saudi Arabia the 'Skjold' class surface effect FPBs is under The government has taken up the option for consideration. the third stretched 'La Fayette' class frigate A shiphandling simulator is being (NR, April '96 p.174). The defence system purchased for the Bergen Royal Naval will be a 32 cell vertical launch Aster SAMS. Academy for delivery in December 1998. It Displacement is now stated to be over 4,000 will simulate seagoing characteristics for the tons. principal RNorN vessels. A similar simulator is planned for the Italian Naval Academy at Cambodia Leghorn. A Malaysian shipyard has shipped two 44 ton fast patrol boats of German design. They Morocco are 69ft long, beam 19ft and draught 4.3ft. The Logistic Support Vessel Dakhla has Speed is 34 knots. been built in France. She has wide capabilities, including supply ofdry and liquid Malaysia stores, particularly to support the new OPVs, After four years of negotiation, the first six troop carrying with vehicles, and acting as a of 20 New Generation Patrol Vessels will disaster relief vessel. The machinery and shortly be ordered from the Malaysian Naval bridge are aft with cargo access by side door Dockyard at Lumut. These are a variant of the and cranes. Length is 226ft, beam 38ft and MEKO A-IOO corvette design, 297ft long, draught 13.75ft, displacement 2,160 tons, 44ft beam, 1,900 tons displacement and speed speed 12 knots on diesel machinery and in excess of 30 knots. They carry a 16 cell endurance 4,300 miles. VLS, 8 SSMs, a CIWS, 1 medium and 2 small guns, 4 fixed torpedo tubes and a medium Israel helicopter. They are of stealth design. See also The first of three 'Dolphin' class SSK, built the report of the MECON Conference below. in Germany, is on trial following a long The former light frigate Hang Tuah, now a history of changed contracts. She has three coastguard/training ship, has recently been diesel generator units mounted abreast, giving completely re-engined. She was built by a very short submarine. The bulk ofthe spaces Yarrows in 1965 as the despatch vessel for are on a two-deck layout. President Nkrumah ofGhana and later became HMS Mermaid before transfer to Malaysia. Turkey The original machinery was identical to the Five wooden-hulled 'Circe' class RN type 41/61 diesel frigates. minehunters, built in 1972-3 have been acquired from France, where they are being Philippines refitted and updated. It was decided not to The three remaining 'Peacock' class patrol build new ships. vessels from the Hong Kong squadron were delivered direct from Hong Kong by their RN UAE crews, after the handover. An early decision is expected on a contract for eight 213ft ocean-going patrol boats. Chile Possible builders include VT, NNS, France, Chile has acquired from Germany six of Germany and the Netherlands. their 'Tiger' class missile armed strike craft, -

172 BOOK REVlEWS-I two in 1997 and four in 1998. These originally and other propulsion equipment for the AlP entered FGN service in 1972-4 and only 10, driven German Type 212 submarine. embodying the latest updates, remain in FGN The UDT is at least an annual event with service. Although of German design the two gatherings planned for 1998 - UDT majority were built and all were outfitted in Pacific in Sydney in February and in London France. in June.

Bahamas MECON '97 The Royal Bahamas Defence Force has This was the first in a planned series to ordered its largest vessels, two Europatrol 375 explore developments in the MEKO US built but VT designed patrol vessels. They programme. It lasted two days, was attended are 200ft long, beam 29ft and draught 8.5ft, by 81 representatives of 24 navies and a large displacement 375 tons, speed 24 knots on number of MEKO programme ship and three shafts and a range of 3,000 miles at 15 equipment manufacturers, and included 32 knots. They are designed to US specifications papers - all in English. for damage stability, damage control, The MEKO system evolved in the late firefighting and life saving. They can remain 1960s, comprising a series of ship platforms fully operational in sea state 6 and can cope able to carry a wide range of alternative with 70 knot beam winds. weapon and propulsion systems, pre­ The contract also includes options for four packaged with standard services connections, 141ft 'Nassau' class patrol boats. and tested in standard forms, for easy installation and subsequent updating. The Ship and Equipment Design: Conferences hulls and major components are supplied by a There have been a number of important range of countries including Germany, conferences including Underwater Defence France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Technology (UDT) in June 1997 and Mecon UK and the USA or are built under licence by '97, both in Hamburg, the British only Royal the customers. The use of this system can Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition enable the interval between keel-laying (RNBAEE) and the International Maritime and commissioning to be as little as two Defence Exhibition (lmdex '97) at Greenwich years. in October 1997. Many plans for future MEKO ships are found world-wide warships and their equipment were revealed at including Nigeria (1981 - one ship), them. Argentina (1983-90 - seven ships) and then Turkey (8), Portugal (3), Greece (4), Australia UDT '97 (8), New Zealand (2) and Germany itself. This three-day conference and exhibition Early designs displaced about 3,600 tons but included 99 papers. It was followed by a the later 200 series reduced to 3,000 tons with NATO confidential sitting covering another the same weapon fit. The FGN has a number 30. The emphasis was on mine warfare, ship of different designs including the larger FI23 design and signature management, at some and 124 frigates and the K-130 corvette (see expense to sonar matters. The emphasis in above). mine warfare lay in aspects of saving lives and The newest designs shown at MECON rapid clearance of safe channels. The include the A-200 series frigate and the A-lOO development of unmanned drones - floating corvette. The former is a 3,800 ton ship with magnetic and acoustic generators - driven CODAG propulsion driving propellors on ahead of a control vessel or from a mobile diesels on the outer shafts and a gas turbine shore station, and both cheaper than an driven centre line water jet of 31,000 MCMV, is a prime interest. Much attention equivalent shp for sprint operation. As the was paid to simulators and surface systems for exhaust discharges through the transom it is the Italian and Norwegian navies and to the water cooled with a much reduced IR C2 system and the development of fuel cells signature and a considerable reduction in BOOK REVIEWS-I 173 space required for uptakes and funnels. Speed cell Sea Sparrow VLS and launch tubes for exceeds 29 knots. Complement is much Bofors wire-guided torpedoes - all in a 177ft reduced, to 130. The A-100 corvette is being hull. They also showed a multi-support vessel built for the Malaysian navy - see above for for 'peace keeping' operations to replace details. existing fisheries patrol vessels. In addition there was a number of existing RNBAEE vessels including the French frigate Tourville, Press reports state that this went almost an FGN Type 332 minehunter, an Irish unnoticed between MECON and IMDEX, as corvette, the RNethN frigate Karel Doorman far as the RN was concerned. The items of and a 'Walrus' class SSK, HMS Lancaster interest were the models of the VT Sea Wraith and a new USN patrol boat USS Thunderbolt, II stealth frigate and the BAeSEMA Cougar (see above). light frigate. These are both enlarged versions There were large exhibits of guns and ofthose shown at Euronaval '96 (NR April '97 missiles and a smaller section dealing with p.160) now respectively 443 and 387ft long propulsion machinery including the WR 21 compared with 380 and 312ft. A 16.5 ft long gas turbine. self-propelled model of Sea Wraith II is being built to demonstrate the sea-keeping INEC '98 capabilities of the wave-piercing hull form. This will be the next event of interest, to be Both were also shown at IMDEX. held at HMS Sultan in April 1998. The subject Another BAeSEMA proposal was Project is 'Surviving the War' and themes will include Barracuda, envisaging an SSBN operating as a peacetime preparation for wartime survival mother ship with two SSK. including equipment and system design for survivability, damage control and firefighting, IMDEX '97 platform management and human aspects. The conference included addresses by lSL, Chief of Defence Procurement, the Chief Other items Executive of DERA, the Assistant Secretary On the environmental front, MOD(N) is of the Navy (US) and senior representatives conducting an audit on the sources of oily­ from the US (including the Director of the water waste from ships. The mixture of oil, Joint Strike Fighter Program) and Italy. It water and fuel from bilges is a major problem included a very wide range of ship and when designing shore plant for handling such weapon design topics. The exhibits included mixtures. The IMO requirements for reduction Sea Wraith II, Project Cougar and the Swedish of NOx and SOx in diesel exhaust emissions YS 2000 'Visby' class corvette. This vessel, have now been relaxed somewhat to avoid the also now building, is of stealth design, 236ft need to fit reduction equipment to existing long, displacement 600 tons. There are ships. This is clearly helpful to warships different configurations, MCM, ASW, already in service but could have a big effect minelaying and air defence. Canada has a on machinery to be installed after 1 January contract for an integrated towed array, 2000. variable depth and hull mounted sonar suite A Netherlands shipping company became, for the first four ships, of which 16 are in 1997, the first to operate legally with planned. electronic charts as the main navigation There was also a large floating exhibition of system and a number of British companies are ships. These included the RSwN Gotland A19 similarly involved. The Dutch government class SSK, the first operational SSK with AlP, laid down the following requirements: and the 425 ton missile-armed 'Goteborg' The charts must be supplied by an class. Denmark showed two Stanflex 300 official Hydrographic Office - in this series grp hulled vessels in two case the UKRO. configurations, for ASW and missile firing. Two completely separate Electronic The latter carries 2 quad Harpoon SSM, a 6 Chart Display Information Systems ..

174 BOOK REVIEWS-I (ECDlS) had to be fitted, capable of DEDs to a wide range of ships and SSKs and accepting Raster (RCDS) and later to carry out major repairs including the fire ECDIS charts. damage to HMS Illustrious. Its commercial With no paper charts on board, track status will enable it to widen its scope to charts have to be kept as a record. handle commercial ship repairs. Permission to sail without a lookout The former Naval Base at Rosyth has been during darkness was only granted on an handed over to a commercial consortium for experimental basis - to be approved by development as a business, retail, leisure and the Master. industrial site. The Dockyard, now employing The Shipping Company was about 3,000 people, remains. The Dockyard responsible for training bridge site had been bought in 1903 and construction watchkeepers who had to have 12 completed in 1925 although it was put into months' prior experience. care and maintenance until WW2, apart from Electronic chart file correcting requires being used commercially as a shipbreaking about 20 minutes' work per week for a file of facility for German warships scuttled at Scapa about 400 charts. Flow. The RNethN is using virtual reality Commercial shipbuilding in the USA is of techniques for validating bridge and great interest as the warship building operational area layouts for their Air Defence programme runs down (in relative terms!). and Command Frigate, thus saving on mock­ The President has signed the Maritime ups. Security Act stating that 'The American Flag A fibre optic gyro compass has been must always sail in the sea lanes of the world developed, also in the Netherlands, initially ... critical role played by the US Merchant for integrated bridges and high speed craft. It Marine in protecting our interests and allies'. has no moving parts or fluids but uses three The NNS is already building a line of tankers, fibre optic coils as sensitive rate sensors to some for foreign owners, and the former measure the earth's speed of rotation. In Philadelphia Naval Shipyard has been bought conjunction with two electronic level sensors, by a commercial shipbuilding company. true north can then be detected. It has a short As a contrast in UK, the Chairman of the settling time of only 30 minutes. Wear Dockyard Group has commented that 'if A method ofhandling helicopters on frigate we don't start building ships soon we will end and destroyer decks eliminates the need for up as an island nation which can't build a handlers on deck. It uses control beams, canoe through lack of skills ... a hell ofa state operated from a console moving along of affairs ... every country should have a transverse and longitudinal rails set in the smaller, leaner, more efficient shipbuilding flight deck. industry'. His own contribution is to take on 75 apprentices since his present labour force Shipbuilding ship repair and naval bases are in their 50s and 60s. Two commentators, The Fleet Maintenance and Repair one at Imdex, have remarked on the adverse Organisation (FMRO) ceased to be the last effect of the privatisation of the dockyards on Government owned and operated ship repair the availability of skills to the RN and its facility on 2 November 1997 when it was ability to react in times of stress. taken over by Fleet Support Ltd, comprising There are some signs of improvement, VT, VSEL and GEC Marine. The FMRO had mostly related to the offshore industry, with 'risen from the ashes' of the old Portsmouth work in hand at Harland and Wolff, Kvaemer Dockyard on 1 October 1984, initially with Govan, VSEL Barrow (three small tankers 2,800 employees, and led a charmed life amid outside the naval programme) and Cammell the closure of the other familiar Dockyards Laird where investment in facilities has been and Naval Bases. In its early days, under the put in hand. However this compares very direct control of CinC Fleet, it continued to unfavourably with large commercial refit Type 42 Destroyers, to give extensive shipbuilding programmes in Germany, BOOK REVIEWS-I 175 France, Italy, Finland, Russia and Spain, let That was a long time ago, and scarcely alone in the Far Fast. likely on its own to trigger a response now. According to Colonel Paul E. Roush, USMC Other maritime matters: Personalities (Retired), now a Professor in the US Naval A new marine agency will be created on Academy's Leadership Ethics and Law I April 1998 by combining the Coastguard Department, there have recently been several and Marine Safety Agencies with similar articles or statements by Webb which headquarters in Southampton. impelled Roush to mount a heavy counter­ Vice Admiral Sir Christopher Morgan is to attack ('A Tangled Webb', August 1997). be the next Director General of the Chamber Roush seeks to demolish what he regards as of Shipping, succeeding Admiral Sir Nicholas Webb's unjustified criticism of double Hunt. standards under training - particularly in R.B.B. physical attainment - and weakening of warrior ethos. Roush also strongly supports US NAVAL INSTITUTE PROCEEDINGS current Congressional policies and laws which July-December 1997 not only admit women to most forms of The United States Naval Institute is also the training for war (an exception is Marine Corps Institute of the US Marine Corps. The point combat units, which Roush does not mention, needs to be made at the beginning of this but of which more later) against what he review, because the six months covered here implies are unconstitutional attacks by Webb. have been so dominated by the Corps that one might be forgiven for thinking it had His line is encapsulated in the words 'Urging conducted a coup d'etat over the whole that Midshipmen be permitted publicly to organisation. speak out in opposition to the law of the land So concerned was your reviewer after while they remain on active duty is writing that first paragraph that he looked for inexcusable' . confirmation through the contents list of all There is much even stronger stuff in six issues of the Proceedings under review. In Roush's article and it is unsurprising that the statistical terms, confirmation wasn't there. Of correspondence columns of the Proceedings the 80 major articles listed, 14 were written by for the next four months were full ofcomment USMC people, and observing that the Corps is and advocacy. Of the 16 contributions, nine one of five constituencies covered by the were in favour of Webb, four for Roush, and Proceedings - the others being the surface three put arguments on both sides although all fleet, naval aviation, submarines and the Coast of those were critical of Roush's style, and Guard this appears in no way allegations against him of selective quotation disproportionate. Yet, in terms of impact, the and misinterpretation were numerous. sense of dominance remains. Your reviewer will not, as if you ever Partly this is due to the articles' choice of expected it, attempt his own assessment of the subject matter and partly to the forthrightness, relative merits. To do so would be to claim a often indeed passion, with which views are knowledge not only of all the writing that has expressed. In both areas the Marines have, it gone before, but of atmosphere and practice in seems to me, taken the high ground. US training and operations, and such a claim It begins with, oh how the hollow tones would be unfounded. That views are resound, the topic of Women in Combat passionately held and expressed is only too Roles. Many and many are the strands, more apparent, and it is not only Tailhook that bites even in the USA than here, but those making deep. One is tempted to ask if it all need be up this particular line go back to 1979 when taken so seriously. Would it be unbearably James Webb (naval academy graduate, flippant to put in the terms of Sellar and Vietnam veteran, subsequently a Secretary of Yeatman's 1066 and All That - like the State for the Navy) wrote an article for the Cavaliers, Webb is Wrong but Wromantic, Washingtonian magazine entitled 'Women while like the Roundheads, Roush is Right but Can't Fight'. Repulsive? And, more to the point, is there a F

176 BOOK REVIEWS-I middle ground in the American military that through manoeuvre, graduated response or the says this is how it is, so we had better get on whole range of intervention, constabulary or with it and make it work? benign operations. Indeed there is specific One senior retired officer, again from the reference to 'confusion stemming from an US Marine Corps, clearly does not think so. added emphasis on humanitarian and Major General J. D. Lynch ('All Volunteer peacekeeping operations such as the Somalian Force is in Crisis', September 1997) begins his and Haitian failures and the increasingly likely article 'The social fabric of the US military is failure in Bosnia. However debilitating all that showing signs of wear. This should come as may be. . .' One may be forgiven for no real surprise, since the society from which concluding that in General Lynch's view, any it springs also is showing signs of serious work other than killing is, for the military, an decay'. This profoundly pessimistic tone aberration. pervades the article but it quickly adjusts its I must confess that I found this aspect of focus towards, yes, women in combat roles. General Lynch's article disturbing, as I did the General Lynch contrasts the 'major fact that my point above was picked up by problems' faced by the US Army (ratio of only one Proceedings correspondent, and he a women to men 'inching toward one in four', civilian from Columbia University though it is still resisting assigning women to (November 1997, p.19). He correctly 'narrowly defined combat fields') and the US observes, quoting Clausewitz, that 'as the Navy (paying a potential 'wartime price of military is the instrument of war, so too by its degraded combat readiness' and a 'peacetime very nature, it must be an instrument of price ... of shipboard pregnancies') with the policy'. Marine Corps, 'the only service to have Implicitly, the extreme view of the avoided integrated male/female recruit military's role is considerably modified by training'. He believes the Corps must continue other Marine Corps contributions. In to defend this position - 'Anything less means particular, the three published entries to the the end of the Marine Corps as we know it' ­ Marine Corps Essay Contest (November but is not certain it can do so, given the 1997) get down to the business of how best pressures of legislators and publicists. Those amphibious operations, with a wide range of pressures, he argues, are not exerted by the missions and applications of force, may be public at large; quite the reverse: 'ifthe public run. does not like what it sees ... there will be no The winning essay is in fact by a US Navy joining'. This, he suggests, is already Commander, Terry Pierce, who addresses the happening and much of it is due to a visibly important but (in an atmosphere full of weakened defence establishment. explosive vapours) relatively safe question of What emerges, however, from General expeditionary force command. He concludes, Lynch's article is not simply a polemic against drawing upon American World War II and fashionably correct attitudes which are at subsequent experience, that 'a Navy variance, as he sees it, with the desires of the commander should be ... in charge of naval American public. For that polemic is based on manoeuvres on the sea and from the sea - a a view of the military's mission that is in fact time-honoured naval tradition'. It was slightly quite extreme. It comes out at an early point in surprising that he did not mention the the article: '... it's time to wake up. It's time Falklands, where surely some lessons were to to sound reveille. It's time to return to the be learned, but he may have wished to stay in basic truth that a nation's military exists to more familiar waters. The subject will not go destroy the nation's enemies and nothing away though, particularly now that modem more. In short, the military exists to kill'. networked command, information and This bald statement stands unqualified by communication systems allow calls for any other in the article. There is nothing about precise fire from units far out at sea in support deterrence, breaking the enemy's will to fight, of forces ashore that may be widely scattered or establishing dominance, let alone coercion both as to location and to level of command. BOOK REVIEWS-I 177 This preoccupation is apparent in both the The third winning article is in many ways other published entries. Captain Harold R. van the most interesting of the three. It is written Opdorp, Jr, USMC, accepts that the goal is by Sergeant Dallas E. Shaw, USMC, and is dominant battlefield awareness and that entitled 'It takes More than Technology'. This technology is one of the primary movers is a title very similar to Captain van Opdorp's towards that goal, but warns that 'Technology and maybe the general theme is the same, but Alone Cannot Win'. He sees drawbacks in too the approach is different. It is well great a reliance on the system-of-systems summarised in the lead-in: 'Can technology approach that is increasingly dominating make a typical grunt squad capable ofcarrying American military thinking: a multitude ofall­ out deep reconnaissance missions 150 miles seeing eyes leading to comprehensive behind enemy lines? Can it substitute for the knowledge, certain appraisal and precise rigorous training and intense indoctrination application of violence. required of a Recon Marine?' Captain van Opdorp is none too happy The shoulder headings in the article are also about the ability of communication systems to indicative. There are only two: Master the handle this amount of information and Basicsffhen Add the Technology. It could not sceptical of the ability of the system to be simpler or more orthodox, nor, if some of manage and filter data so that the relevant the Sergeant's anecdotal evidence is borne out material reaches the right people without by general experience, could it be more swamping them. He goes on to discuss necessary. 'I asked him [a squad member] uncertainty, quoting Tom Paine and van which way was east. He informed me "I ain't Creveld, and continues with 'Shared Picture got the compass" ... this was at 0800, so I told does not mean Shared Understanding'. Here him that on planet Earth, the sun rises in the he shows the well-known picture that on one east. . .' view represents a stylish young woman with a Preparation only for 'best-case scenarios, feather in her hair, and on the other a shawled where high-speed gear never fails its operator' crone. Even with some foreknowledge of this is, argues Sergeant Shaw, training for failure. picture, your reviewer had great difficulty He lobbies nevertheless for certain add-ons to focusing on the crone and constantly reverted currently-held equipment, moving into sets of to the stylish young woman, so presumably initials unfamiliar to those not initiated in such Captain van Opdorp's point is made. things. But by that time, did not one believe Finally, Captain van Opdorp makes the every word he said? There is so much point that a subtle, thoughtful enemy may be common sense in this essay that it deserves able to 'work around' Dominant Battlefield consideration at every level. Awareness and quotes examples from the Which brings us back, by a rather tortuous Vietnam War where the Viet Cong, by route, to the scope and range of the Corps' 'surprising the Americans and separating operations and training. Certainly all the them from their firepower', were able to essays are predicated on the need for an achieve many successes. I fancy this parallel effective warfighting posture: but surely, as it will be contested by the Sea Dragon seems to your reviewer, they recognise a need establishment on the ground that the detection for sophisticated responses, at many levels of of hostile forces, even if they are in penny command, to a variety of situations. They will packets, is now so certain that none can move need to, in years to come. If you don't know without American commanders knowing who the enemy is, but think you 'exist to kill', where they are and what they are doing. well... The debate will continue, but one can hear The point is made, though not explicitly the Great Duke ('guessing what was at the (Commentary, November 1997), by Colonel other side of the hill') applauding Captain Hays Parks, USMC (Retired), a distinguished Opdorp from down below, and Copenhagen's trial lawyer with many Proceedings articles to hooves drumming approval from Stratfield his name. He describes an incident in the Saye. Vietnam War which, while nothing like so r

178 BOOK REVIEWS-I dreadful as the My Lai massacre, was generally expressed view. He shows that they sufficiently serious to be classed as multiple did, on occasion; they might argue that, murder. In brief, 16 unresisting women and supplied as they now are with higher quality children were shot dead in the village of Son human material and more discriminating Thang on 19 February 1970, by a patrol from systems, they no longer do. That's as hereafter the US Marine Corps. may be, and all that has gone before in this The incident was fully investigated at the review is relevant. But it does lead to one time, but according to Hays Parks there was much broader point. some resistance within the Corps to There is an underlying assumption in most publication of details in their Gazette, and it American military thinking - preoccupied was not until the publication in 1997, by the with firepower as it is, emphasising Naval Institute Press, of a book confined to warfighting as it does, racked by competing this one incident that the full story was made specialisms as it appears to be - that the USA available. is a benevolent nation. Essentially it desires It has chilling aspects quite apart from the the good, not only for itself but for human murders. The returning patrol lied about the kind. I believe this to be true. Given circumstances of the incident, reported less America's military and economic power, if it than half the true number of dead, represented were not true the rest of the world would be those as killed in action and produced a groaning under tyranny. Sometimes, when the previously-captured weapon as false USA is pushed to the limits of its tolerance, corroboration. There was also evidence of the possibility of worse outcomes peeps out. competition in body-counts as shown on a But the world is, on the whole, lucky. battalion 'kill board'. In spite of obstacles the There is much more in these six issues of matter was fully investigated and brought to Proceedings that cannot be covered in the trial, and two Marines were convicted of necessary detail in this review. Pleas for multiple murder; one other, this having been gunfire support to remain an option; for deep­ his first patrol at the age of 18, was convicted water ASW to stay on the agenda; for the on 15 counts of unpremeditated murder and Coast Guard to keep up technologically; for later committed suicide. shipborne aircraft to keep pace with other Colonel Hays Parks argues persuasively developments: all will be found here and that it is necessary to bring all this to light now there. Some may be rather crude lobbying for so that the lessons may be relearnt. The particular constituencies, but all are of military must maintain the quality of its interest. Least noticeable in the last six months people; it must be sensitive to the special have been the submariners; they are used to challenges of counter-insurgency operations; running silent and deep, have come to terms it must eschew simplistic 'body-count with the curtailment of Seawolf and are no mentality'; it must train its junior officers to doubt regrouping round NSSN. face such dilemmas; it must have enough As always, the Proceedings are lively and people learned in the law of war to have the highly professional. They are not so immersed necessary influence. in technospeak and initialese as they used to At two points Hays Parks quotes the words be, and are the better for it. Good reading. 'Marines don't do that'. It is clearly a RICHARD HILL Book Reviews-II

THINKING ABOUT NUCLEAR to our allies, or foregoing the modernisation of WEAPONS UK nuclear capability, he would probably WHITEHALL PAPER No 41 have advised in favour of the latter. I find this by SIR MICHAEL QUINLAN hypothetical, probable recommendation (RUSI, 1997 - £6.50) troublesome, and for me it does not lie easily If I were asked to choose whose thoughts with the whole rationale, spelt out so well in about Nuclear Weapons one would most like earlier chapters, for the UK possession of an to read, Michael Quinlan's name would come independent nuclear capability. Surely a more top of my list - by a mile. In this short offering attractive option (and one infinitely preferable - at 84 pages somewhere between a book and for the US) would have been to maintain and a booklet - we are gently (but firmly) led when necessary, modernise our nuclear through the core issues surrounding nuclear capability and invite our continental European weapons, their possession and deployment, by Allies to fill the gaps on the ground. That a uniquely qualified, highly intelligent and shows no lack ofcommitment to their defence. totally morally responsible writer who enjoys I thoroughly recommend this book and the added benefits of a razor sharp mind and believe it will become a widely used and charming facility with the pen. respected plane of reference. Michael Quinlan covers in tum the three JJRO D's; Deployment, Deterrence and Disarmament. In successive posts in the MOD INTELLIGENCE IN PEACE AND WAR he held escalating responsibility for advising by MICHAEL HERMAN on nuclear policy and he certainly does not (Royal Institute of International Affairs/ dodge the politically and ethically difficult Cambridge University Press, 1996 - £16.95) issues raised by the deployment of nuclear The last twenty-five years have seen a vast weapons. number of books about Intelligence. Many of His irresistible logic is perhaps at its most them have dealt with single aspects, others telling in the section on deterrence, where he have portrayed the history of particular disposes neatly of a number of false, intelligence happenings; only a very few have misleading or unprofitable concepts and leads looked at Intelligence in its own right as a us back inexorably to his starting point, the powerful instrument of national policy. And simple thesis that deterrence is about none, to your reviewer's knowledge, has persuading the potential attacker that the game produced such a unique overview ofthe whole is not worth the candle - and that this has intelligence scene as Michael Herman has worked, does work, and will continue to work. managed to write. The section on disarmament bears very Written in plain and easily readable English careful reading because it treats fairly, but with the notes and references on the related dismisses, several of the ideas which have page, the extremely complex subject is been even more fashionable since the end of divided into six sections comprising twenty the Cold War - Alternative Defence, No First chapters and a final Summary showing the Use, Minimal Armouries, and even the power of modern intelligence. For anyone Strategic Defence Initiative. with the time and opportunity and access to a It was not until he reached Appendix I that large library there are no less than ten pages of your reviewer encountered a thought which recommended reading. much troubled him. In addressing the The whole book derives from wide and hypothetical question of a situation in which obviously scrupulous research, very the UK defence budget was so reduced, at the considerable personal experience and, quite height of the Cold War, that the British clearly, deep reflection. The 400 pages, thanks Government would have had to make a choice to the elegant and helpful layout provide an between making cuts in British Forces for the easily assimilated set of intelligence North German plain ofa severity unacceptable experience and principles with a bearing on

179 r

180 BOOK REVIEWS-II most Western intelligence systems. I concur Herman's book covers the role in the future, with the verdict of a former HC Chairman that as he sees it, for intelligence in peace and war it will probably become a standard text. It is and the anarchic conditions now beginning to pleasing too that, despite the continued prevail in so many Nations. The October 1997 sensitivity about intelligence publications, it NR reviewed Herman's shorter essay on the received official security clearance. role ofthe Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS). In The Intelligence services are an important this book this is set in the wider context of the but always controversial part of modern merits and difficulties of both centralised and governance. Their failures are often the more split up national intelligence subject ofmany column inches, their triumphs organisations. He avers, with considerable hardly ever see the light of day. Military, supporting evidence, that we need some sort economic, political, security intelligence, of central agency for a detailed holistic study decisions on how to 'cut' the always hard won of countries in all their political, military and and in these days usually reducing financial economic detail. The HC, he suggests, is good 'cake', and the need for efficiency in public at pulling things together but does not direct administration call for a particular brand of research. He argues his belief that it is time to management if the national interest is to be reformulate the DIS Charter and give it adequately served. Herman explores and explicitly dual roles - serving the MoD and throws much light on these complex problems the military for defence intelligence on one and on what sort of intelligence strategy in the hand, but acting as a national analysis agency broad and in detail we need in the post Cold on the other - and staff it for the job. In this, as war, post modern world. he mentions, he is returning to the original In a recent Paper published by our Minister concept when the three Service organisations in Bonn, he asserts 'The kind ofworld we have and the scientific and technical and economic depends on the kind ofstates that compose it, expertise ofthe Joint Intelligence Bureau were for the pre-modern world success is empire brought together in and after 1964. andfailure is disorder; in the modern systems Your reviewer is not up to date with 'the success is balance and failure means falling pecking order' of the Chief Scientific Adviser back into war or into empire. For the post­ to the MoD and the Chief of Defence modern state success means openness and Intelligence. But in your reviewer's transnational co-operation. The open state experience it is essential that they should have system is the ultimate consequence ofthe open the same level of access. In today's society. But there is nothing inevitable about technological world the multiplicity of data the survival of the post modern state in what bases in the scientific establishment remains a basically hostile environment. ' sometimes lead to quite different conclusions This century has seen the advance (if that is from those arising from secret intelligence not a contradiction in terms) from the pre­ sources. Some politicians, as today we are modern (empire type) world through attempts only too well aware, are hypnotised by in two world wars to maintain some sort of scientific predictions. In your reviewer's day international political balance to the post­ as DGI he served two governments. One had a modem (ED type) open and transnational Prime Minister and Defence Secretary who world where an admiral (not this one) can tended to believe they knew everything but communicate instantaneously with a friend who bowed obsequiously to 'science', and a driving a stern wheeler on the Irrawaddy Foreign Secretary deeply interested in whose Burmese Chief Engineer was a intelligence who also possessed profound Manadon product. The changes in the nature wisdom. The other government had a Prime of the intelligence product needed by Minister almost obsessed by intelligence and a governments, arising from such fundamental Defence Secretary and Chancellor, who if not changes in world conditions, technological obsessed, wished to be kept up to date and advance, political, military and social near who were prepared to argue and discuss chaos, are almost impossible to grasp. different viewpoints in an always refreshing BOOK REVIEWS-II 181 and earthy way; while the Foreign Secretary judging their effectiveness as being in seemed far less interested in the scientific or considering the balance of 'return' set against intelligence views other than those from M16. 'investment'. With this question hanging, he Herman does not deal with this problem presents comprehensive accounts of the many directly, but the type of organisation he seems different units and their most significant to favour would certainly provide politicians campaigns behind the lines. For his part, with more firmly based advice. comment is generally limited, in the main With all the changes now in train in the leaving the reader to consider the balance and corridors ofWhitehall it is almost too much to judge for himself. As the author clearly expect that such a fundamental re-hash of our intends, the story's colour and subjectivity Intelligence Community might be embarked flow from his generous use of personal upon. But Herman's book shows what well accounts from the players and their critics, may be the best path for the future. It is to be some recorded at the time and some relatively hoped that there are amongst those in recently. Whilst, of course, the author has had Government and the highest ranks of the Civil the opportunity to introduce bias in his Service, men and women of understanding, selection of 'witness statements', weighting is who will institute action. not apparent. The book presents a convincing LOUIS LE BAILLY and even case. VICE ADMIRAL Unsurprisingly, the story is littered with accounts of military and human achievements THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM BOOK of the highest order, generally in the face of OF WAR BEHIND ENEMY LINES the overwhelming odds that one associates by JULIAN THOMPSON with special forces. Soberingly, for each of (Sidgwick & Jackson - £25) these there are a greater number of tales of This latest book by Maj Gen Julian Thompson failure caused by the most frustrating aims to give the general reader some idea of combinations of the frictions of war and some what it was like for a British Serviceman to disasters born of quite astonishing operate behind enemy lines in the Second incompetence and amateurism. The conduct World War. Almost exclusively, he restricts of a commando attack aimed at killing his consideration to those 'who penetrated the Rommel in a house on the north African coast enemy's rear, but fought in uniform expecting would be funny but for the tragic to be treated by the enemy in accordance with consequences of its failure. In contrast, there the laws and usages of war'. This definition are many incidents of consummate thus excludes most SOE and OSS operations professionalism. The SAS's Paddy Mayne but sweeps up the majority ofthose conducted finished the war as one of the two most highly by units that we would now consider as decorated British Army officers, having 'Special Forces'. achieved a personal score of enemy aircraft The fall of France and the Italian threat in destroyed more than double that of any allied Africa saw Britain alone and at bay. The need air 'ace'. to hit back at the enemy, at a time when Whilst one associates 'behind the lines' conventional units were inappropriate for the activity with the efforts of small teams of conditions, generated the Commandos and the determined men there were most notable Long Range Desert Group. These were the exceptions. Many will be surprised to read of first of a proliferation of 'private armies' the Chindit Expeditions which saw brigade which subsequently operated in almost every and divisional level deep penetration into theatre of the War. They scored some notable Burma. These incursions were supported, and dramatic successes, the St Nazaire Raid logistically, almost exclusively by air, being one, but overall, their tangible output including the glider borne delivery ofartillery, was perhaps not all that was expected ofthem. vehicles and mules. Fire support too was air This has caused some to question their value. delivered. Casualty evacuation was Gen Thompson suggests the fairest means of undertaken by light aircraft from hastily cut F

182 BOOK REVIEWS-II jungle strips in deep strongholds that, on BATTLECRUISERS occasion, endured a distinctly 'Khe San' by JOHN ROBERTS experience. The enigmatic Wingate was (Chatham Publishing - £30) behind these schemes. Although it was not of I'm not quite sure what it is about battleships his conception, he was the first allied leader to and battlecruisers - they seem to exert the prove the capability ofair supply to operations same fascination as steam trains - certainly to of this type. judge by the continuing literary output on the General Thompson uses very simple and subject. After my unflattering review of an direct English which complements the earlier volume from Chatham Publishing vernacular and often highly idiosyncratic (A. S. Pavlov's on Soviet Warships Oct '97), I styles ofhis veterans. The combination makes am delighted to be able to say that this book is highly digestible reading and draws one on beautifully produced - indeed the photographs easily through some 400 pages of narrative. and line drawings are one of its main selling There are useful maps and good photographs points. The author has written widely on of many of the key characters. warships in the Dreadnought era and many of As the story progresses, the reader is likely the photographs are from his own collection. to become increasingly uneasy about the Roberts is also his own draughtsman and the balance of investment against return. A line drawings are of a uniform high quality considerable number of lives were lost and, at (again oddly in contrast to the Pavlov face value, it seems that a disproportionate volume). The inside back cover contains a amount of effort was dissipated in projecting 1:250th plan of HMS Queen Mary in 1913 ­ special forces behind the lines. Certainly the side elevation, deck plans and several sections author quotes some contemporary critics who through, but my favourites are the two dismiss almost totally the contribution of perspective drawings of a 12" turret and the special forces to the Allied victory. What, of Queen Mary's bridge superstructure. One course, cannot be accurately quantified, is could (ie I have!) pore over them both, if not how much ofthe enemy's potential was drawn for hours, then certainly for several minutes. from their main effort in hunting down these But what of the written content? Roberts irritants. Although a few teams, notably the starts with an Introduction, in which he LRDG, were an outstanding success, there outlines the historical background to the were clearly too many of these special units, development of the battlecruiser and follows resulting in duplication of effort, redundancy this by an 'Origins' chapter in which, drawing and direct conflict ofinterests. Too many units heavily on Admiralty minutes, he tells of the were led astray on the personal hobby horses arguments that surrounded their evolution ­ of their commanders. In the tailpiece, General not really helped by the fact that Fisher never Thompson identifies an absence of strategic seemed to be 100% clear what they were for. level direction and coordination as the Then follow two chapters on the design and underlying cause ofthe overall inefficiency of construction of the first (pre-WWI) and the the special forces' efforts. But he concludes by second (post-1914) groups. Looking at the reminding the reader that this was a book drawings, one is struck by how simple these about people and, in the main, they were ships - especially the pre-WWI ones - were. obviously a special bunch. They were nothing but platforms on which to Most of the action and the majority of put turrets. Line drawings often simplify a characters are, at best, only vaguely familiar to design by leaving out much of the extraneous today's reader. To better understand the equipment, but, in this case, the photographs British special forces today, you probably emphasise how focussed on their one task need to know where they came from. This these ships were. The second half of the book book is an education and is strongly contains three, very comprehensive, chapters recommended. on Machinery, Armament and Armour. There M. J. D. NOBLE are certainly enough detailed facts and figures MAJOR, RM here for the most ardent battlecruiser fan - such BOOK REVIEWS-II 183 as that the communication tubes in Renown been given already to the Battle ofthe Atlantic were 3" and 4", but they were al13" in Repulse. and that the time has come to draw a line In his final chapter, Roberts tries to sum up under this historical episode as everything of Fisher's battlecruisers. They started in 1905 as value has already been extracted. But still new simple armoured cruisers, faster and armed works continue to emerge, some repackagings with bigger (12") guns. The first ships were of work done earlier, some actually attempting quickly outclassed by the German response ­ new perspectives on the longest maritime in effect fast (unfortunately faster) second struggle of the Second World War. One such class battleships. The arms race continued, school which has grown up over the last few with the German ships being, generally, better years, notably in America, has looked at the armoured and so more capable of taking series of campaigns that form the Battle from punishment. Their smaller tube boilers and the German perspective; Silent Hunters lighter calibre but higher velocity guns, plus clearly falls into this category but its approach much lower habitability standards, is somewhat different from many in selecting contributed significantly to this superiority. six submarine captains and considering their The Battle of the Falklands was the lives and careers, each examined by a different battlecruisers' one and only undisputed writer. Although a point is made of suggesting success. The loss of Indefatigable, Queen that these were typical rather than outstanding Mary and Invincible at Jutland was, at the officers, there is a clear bias towards the 'ace', time, blamed mainly on the weakness of their reflected in the title of two of the chapters. In horizontal armour and, although the German only one case, Heinz Wilhelm Eck, to whom deck armour was no thicker, this criticism was we shall return, was this really true and then never really shaken off. The primary cause of only in terms of his attainments. the catastrophic losses at Jutland was the Engelbert Endrass is described in an almost instability of our ammunition and associated elegiac fashion by Erich Topp. This approach, weaknesses in magazine design. However, by which would tend towards the mawkish in any Jutland advances in battleship design (the other hands, is acceptable, perhaps moving, as Queen Elizabeth's) had made it no longer Topp himself was not only a very successful necessary to choose between armour, speed captain and indisputably an ace, but because and armament and the end of the short era of of his especial affinity and sense of the battlecruiser was in sight. Roberts kameradschaft - comradeship.- with Endrass, concludes that, with the benefit of hindsight, who was lost at sea in December 1941, sunk the battlecruiser should not have been built, by Walker's group. The next four chapters, but that the widely-held perception that the being written by uninvolved historians, lack battlecruiser was a failure is wrong - the this sense and are more factually based. ammunition was at fault, not the platform. Timothy Mulligan writes crisply on Karl­ I enjoyed this book - it is clearly a labour of Friedrich Merten, whose South Atlantic love, especially in the illustrations - and, ifyou adventures included carrying over 100 want a reasonably compact, but full, account of survivors from sunken German surface the battlecruiser as a ship type (there are many raiders. Mulligan stresses Merten's humanity more and better books on Fisher's influence on and humour. the design), I would recommend this one. Gaylord Kelshall, who served in the ANDREW WELCH Trinidad and Tobago Coastguard, tells of COMMANDER, RN Ralph Kapitsky whose U-615 succumbed in the Caribbean only after an epic struggle with SILENT HUNTERS: GERMAN U-BOAT a number of aircraft and in which the dying COMMANDERS OF WORLD WAR II Kapitsky exercised great leadership. Fritz ed. THEODORE P. SAVOS Guggenberger, a Bavarian, has a very (Savos Publishing Company/Greenhill considerable claim to fame, at least in British Books, 1997) eyes, as the man who sank the Ark Royal. Eric There is a view that too much attention has Rust, who wrote an excellent description of a r 184 BOOK REVIEWS-II single year's intake of German officers in fashion turning rather slowly. On the other Crew 34, contributes this chapter which is a hand heroes beget myths which are unhealthy. thoroughly workmanlike production. Jordan For this reason the book, good as it is in Vause, who previously wrote a biography of several ways, should be read with both caution Wolfang Liith, tells of the career of Victor and a dash of scepticism. Oehrn, who although a more than competent W. J. R. GARDNER captain, made his name first as one ofthe most LIEUT. CDR competent of Donitz's staff. Subsequently, whilst serving in the Mediterranean area, he DON'T STEP ON A STONEFISHl managed the curious feat of being wounded by COL DAN RASCHEN, Royal Engineers and captured in the African desert before (Retired) being repatriated to Germany, partly as a (Buckland Publications Ltd, London, result of his injuries and to some extent 1993 -£14.95) because of his pioneering self-research into Following my review ofDiplomatic Dan (NR, anorexia. Latterly, he again served Donitz Jan. '98), Colonel Raschen gave me this book. directly. This chapter, too, is competent. Our editor thought it worthwhile to alert NR The last contribution is an unusual one members to the existence of it. compared to the rest of the book. It is by far It covers reconnaissance undertaken in the longest one, the officer at its centre ­ 1960 by two sappers (Major Raschen plus Heinz-Wilhelm Eck - is probably the least one) into the possibility ofusing explosives to accomplished officer described and most of clear boat channels to various coral islands in what is described takes place after the war. In the Gilbert and Ellice groups (now Kiribati this account Dwight Messimer only briefly and Tuvalu respectively, as all NR readers will recounts Eck's career and period in command surely know). I was lucky enough to have of U-852 which sank the Greek freighter visited the area just one year before, and the Peleus in the South Atlantic in March 1944 problem of boat access was sorely evident; before herself being lost to aircraft in May off many channels were a 'channel' in name only. the Hom of Africa. Unfortunately for Eck, his Christmas Island, where Major Raschen was war diary survived. The sinking of Peleus was based - commanding the RE detachment there fairly routine; what followed was not. U-852 -lies nearly 2,000 miles east ofTarawa (main cruised amongst the wreckage and survivors island in the Gilberts) and there's not much in attempting to obliterate both by machine-gun between! fire. The most distasteful aspect was probably He was only a mediocre swimmer, wore the willing and enthusiastic participation of spectacles, and suffered from seasickness in the submarine's doctor. Eck and several of his small vessels; furthermore, he started with no crew were tried for this in October 1945 and knowledge of Pacific atolls, and found it executed. Messimer gives over most of his difficult to get much useful information in long account to the trial and his perception of advance. But acting on first principles, and its unfairness. His final judgment that what with enthusiastic co-operation from others, he occurred was Siegerjustiz - victor's justice ­ built up an enviable stock of practical is tenable but unbalances the book as a whole. knowledge, so much so that the four-week In a sense, however, this provides a key to reconnaissance was entirely successful. The understanding much ofthis school ofliterature subsequent operation (by Royal Engineers, better. In most, but not all, instances of the but not including him) was ofgreat and lasting genre there is a clear perception ofthe German benefit to the islanders. His Annex 'Thoughts submariner as hero. Another way oflooking at on Atolls' contains his ideas about the this is to consider whether such a work would formation of coral atolls and is thought­ be likely to be produced today about provoking, while inevitably leaving some American or British submarine captains in matters unresolved; we simply don't know quite the same style: this would seem unlikely. enough, methinks. Perhaps this is just the wheel of historical I found this a delightful, fascinating book. BOOK REVIEWS-II 185 Never afraid to admit to ignorance, or inanimate objects such as George, Edward, mistakes that he made, he enlivens the tale Siegfried and Smith and the parade of people with many droll observations; he very much mentioned, was not always easy to identify. A engages our sympathy. But do follow his glossary too would have assisted those not so advice - don't step on stonefish, they are very seaman-like as the author. nasty. However there is no doubt that Mike HILARY FOXWORTHY Badham is a courageous and highly competent COMMANDER RN seaman and navigator. It is surprising their Lordships didn't promote him and put him MY ROAD LEADS ME SEAWARDS back on the Active List; but then of course he by MICHAEL BADHAM would not have wanted that. Highly (New Millennium Publishers - £9.95) recommended. This is a long book, over 500 pages, because it PATRICK TAILYOUR is two books in one. The first 200 pages concern the author's service in the Navy, WITH ZEAL AND ABILITY culminating with the attainment of submarine A personal record 1896-1945 command. Under the 'golden bowler' scheme by CAPTAIN A. D. DUCKWORTH, RN he chose to leave in 1959 because, as he says (Obtainable from Brig. G. Duckworth, Weir 'I had a life of my own to lead'. He then chose Cottage, Bickton, Fordingbridge, to embark on a 'lunatic voyage' to Australia in Hants SP6 2HA - £9 (inc p&p» a sailing boat with his family of wife, two Older members, not only Supply Officers, children and a dog and three friends ­ may remember A. D. Duckworth's invaluable the sailing boat being a 57 year old RNLI book An Introduction to Naval Court-Martial lifeboat. When he got to the Caribbean he was Procedure which ran to four editions in the seduced by the opportunity of chartering in 1930s and'40s. Those who served under old­ order to make some money. His friends who fashioned captains may recall the first words had signed on for Australia then left. oftheir flimsies, 'with zeal and ability', which He spent 17 years in the chartering business Captain Duckworth has taken for the title of in the Caribbean and on the New England his most interesting and entertaining coast and Bermuda, first in Westering the autobiography. converted lifeboat and then in one of the first Joining his first ship, Inflexible, the Trimarans, Spearhead, which he had built and Mediterranean fleet flagship, as an Assistant sailed himself across the Atlantic. His final Clerk (alias Paymaster Cadet) in 1913, he spell as a charter skipper, after being an moved to the Invincible in time for the Battle owner, was as a paid employee as skipper! of the Falklands Islands and was in the However it was not all plain sailing. One of Birmingham at Jutland. His unique the most impressive and suspense ridden photographs of the Falklands action were experiences is his anticipation of Hurricane published in the press, and on his return home Esther. His detailed precautions should be he was summoned to Buckingham Palace to incorporated in any future seamanship show them to the King. manual. He rode it out entirely alone and it is For his first twenty years he was employed an example of consummate seamanship entirely on the secretarial side, mostly abroad combined with cool courage. and mostly in Commander-in-Chiefs' offices, Eventually chartering as well as the sea also with exotic peace-time cruises. His first showed its hidden dangers and the sequel was pussering job came on promotion to tragic. I will not reveal the circumstances, you Paymaster Commander in 1934 in the must read the book to discover it. Carlisle, flagship on the South Africa Station. A minor criticism is that the editorial could In June 1938 came a most unusual mission, have done with some excision, being a job with the Non-Intervention Committee occasionally prolix. An index too would have working with representatives from France, been helpful - the assignment of names to Germany and Italy on a manifestly impractical •

186 BOOK REVIEWS-II scheme to end the Spanish Civil War. instance, the film, made in 1937, relied Duckworth spent June to December 1938 in heavily on Morrison's journal- which I didn't Germany with a German staff not the least know existed. Morrison was boatswain's mate interested in non-intervention and well aware in the Bounty, was asleep when the mutiny that Germany and Italy were determined to happened, and had nothing to do with it. He continue their vigorous assistance to General remained in the ship, and eventually got to the Franco at the same time as they were secretly island of Toobouai, then to Tahiti. The frigate preparing for all-out war. His account of this Pandora came there to apprehend mutineers: 'highly ridiculous situation' is almost beyond he gave himself up voluntarily; he was tried belief. and condemned to be hanged, but reprieved The outbreak of war found Duckworth because of his excellent (self-conducted) converting the RAF Station at Donibristle into defence. He stayed in the Navy, became a an RN Air Station and subsequently gunnery instructor, and Admiral Troubridge 'mothering' the newly opened stations at deliberately acquired him as the gunner for his Crail, Arbroath and Macrihanish. In flagship; he was drowned when Blenheim December 1942 he joined the Warspite and foundered in 1807. (As well as his journal, saw service in the East Indies, the final days of Morrison wrote a fascinating account of Tahiti the capture of Sicily, the surrender of the which runs to 40,000 words.) It all makes a Italian Fleet, and Salerno where she was wonderful story. damaged by two glider bombs. And James Shaw Grant tells it well. The In May 1944 he was appointed to the Naval mutiny itself, adventures on Toobouai and Control Commission for Germany in Norfolk Tahiti, appalling hardships in the Pandora, House, London, planning the control of ports and the drama of his trial and reprieve are all and harbours as soon as they were captured. covered fully and perceptively. But the point He was based in Germany from June to of the book is not just to recount Morrison's December 1945 when he took voluntary heroic exploits; it is to stress that he came retirement to become Secretary of the Royal from the Isle of Lewis, and to draw many Institution of Naval Architects. comparisons between 18th and 20th century Autobiographies of Supply Officers are Lewis matters. It packs about 100,000 words rare. This one is exceptionally interesting, into 200 pages; I found it very rewarding and perceptive and enjoyable, and should prove a illuminating, and recommend it highly. profitable source for historians of the H. L. FOXWORTHY administrative and social sides of the Royal COMMANDER, RN Navy. HUGH OWEN BOOKS RECEIVED CAPTAIN, RN The following books have been received and are gratefully acknowledged. Space and MORRISON OF THE BOUNTY subject do not allow a full review; it is hoped by JAMES SHAW GRANT that the following brief notices, which are (AcairLtd., Stornoway, 1997 -£11.95) made without any value judgment or I am not a 'Bounty buff'; before I read this recommendation, will be helpful in bringing book, I knew only the main outlines, that the books to the attention of members with Captain Bligh had been cast off in an open specialised interests. boat, Fletcher Christian eventually made it to Ocean Bridge: the History of RAF Ferry Pitcairn, Bligh made it (near-miraculously) Command, by Carl A. Christie (University of back to England, many of the mutineers were Toronto Press, 1997,458 pp. Paperback, £15): apprehended, several were hanged. With a comprehensive study of the subject including confused recollection of Charles Laughton organisation, operations, routes, losses. playing Bligh in the first film, my knowledge Chaos Theory: The Essentials for Military I ended there. Applications, by Major Glenn E. James USAF I This book came as a revelation; for (Newport Papers No. 10, US Naval War BOOK REVIEWS-II 187 College, 1996, 125 pp. Paperback, no price with a Foreword by Vice Admiral Sir Louis quoted): covers theory and mathematics in LeBailly. Story of three friends (usually) in a simple terms, followed by chapters on ship of the 'Algerine' class during the Second occurrence in military systems and situations, World War. Plenty of hard-lying stories, with opportunities for exploitation. engineering tribulations and runs ashore. What Color Helmet?, by Myron H. Femhurst Books, who specialise in work on Nordquist (Newport Papers No.12, US Naval small craft, have announced publication of War College, 75 pp. Paperback, no price their latest brochure of some 100 titles. They quoted): Addresses history of peacekeeping offer a 20% discount off any of their books to under the United Nations and examines the anyone applying for a free copy of the need to reform peacekeeping mandates in the brochure before 31 May 1998. The address is 'mixed "war-peace settings" , now likely to be Femhurst Books, Duke's Path, High Street, encountered. Arundel, West Sussex BNI8 9Al, Tel. 01903 Three Tiffies and a Sweeper, by Alfred E. 882277. Entitlement to the discount should be Deeble (Pentland Press, 1997, 145 pp., £15): claimed at the time of ordering the brochure. »

New Members

The following have enrolled as members since 1 September 1997: ACKLAND, H. K. LIEUTENANT ANDERSON, M. E. J. SUB-LIEUTENANT BARROW, M. HON. MIDSHIPMAN BENBOW, T. J. BENNETT, P. M. LIEUT. CDR BISSETT, P. K. ... LIEUTENANT DANNREUTHER, R. P. CAPTAIN DOUGLAS, D. C. LIEUT. CDR FITZGERALD. G. D. SUB-LIEUTENANT FORTESCUE, R. C. LiEUT. CDR GAMLEN, T. R. DOCTOR GARRATT, J. K. LIEUTENANT HUDSON, G. M. HUMPHRYS, J. A. COMMANDER KEANE, M. L. ... LAURANCE, M. A. SQUADRON LEADER, RAF LOWER, I. S. LIEUTENANT MCPHAIL, A. J. LIEUT. CDR, RNR MERCER, A. P. HEO, MOD CIVIL SERVICE MICALLEF, R. ... MOO~HOUSE, P. J. N. COMMANDER NAIL,'Y. A. COMMANDER NIMMO-SCOTT, S. HON. MIDSHIPMAN O'REILLY, S. A. COMMANDER PALMER, A. LIEUT. CDR PHILLIPS, A. E. W. HON. MIDSHIPMAN, RNR PRESTON, A. M. PROWSE, M. A. HON. MIDSHIPMAN REED, A. W. LIEUT CDR (re-joined) REID, W. A. LIEUTENANT REILLY, P. J. SUB-LIEUTENANT REYNOLDS, P. A. LIEUTENANT COLONEL, RM SHARMAN, J. M. LIEUT. CDR SHAW, K. N. G. LIEUT. CDR SHIRLEY, W. P. LIEUT. CDR SHUTTS, D. LIEUTENANT STEEDS, S. M. . .. LIEUT. CDR TAYLOR, K. A. . COMMANDER WHEAL, A. J. LIEUTENANT

Prize membership for a period of two years has been awarded to: CASTLE, C. D. ... SUB-LIEUTENANT FITZGERALD, G. D. SUB-LIEUTENANT GAYFER, M. J. LIEUTENANT MORLEY, D. S. SUB-LIEUTENANT NICKISSON, D. J. LIEUTENANT, RM L 188 Obituary

We regret to report the deaths of the following members in the period 1 September 1997 to 1 March 1998:

Date joined Member 1922 CAPTAIN G. C. BLUNDELL, CBE 1963 COMMANDER R. J. BROOKE 1952 F. J. G. COOK, ESQ 1989 LIEUTENANT T. A. GREEN 1995 LIEUT. CDR. C. R. V. HOLT, CVO, VRD, RNVR 1950 COMMANDER C. L. JORDAN, OBE 1954 COMMANDER T. D. KITSON, OBE 1948 MRS JOHN LITTLER 1953 LIEUT. CDR P. NEALE 1983 LIEUT. CDR G. M. W. ROWBOTHAM 1956 LIEUT. CDR A. W. SPENCE, MBE 1938 CAPTAIN G. H. STANNING, DSO 1949 ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET SIR WILLIAM STAVELEY, GCB, DL

189 F

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INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1997 1997 1996 £ £ INCOME Subscription Income . 37,558 37,644 Income Tax Recovered from Deeds of Covenant . 6,121 6,190 Interest on Investments . 7,423 5,716 Interest on Nat West Deposits . 1,287 1,354 Advertising Income . 1,327 1,207 Donations Received . o 1,000 Sundry Income , . 468 160

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190 THE NAVAL REVIEW BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1997 191 1997 1996 £ £ £ £ FIXED ASSETS Investments at cost Note 1 96,194 96,194 Tangible Assets Note 2 1 939

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192 THE NAVAL REVIEW

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1997

1997 1996 £ £ 1. INVESTMENTS

2,421 units -M & G Charifund Income Units 10,572 10,572 £34,593 6%% Treasury Stock 2004 33,000 33,000 £12,019 IOX% Conversion Stock 1999 12,000 12,000 £10,000 Allied Domecq PIc 9%% Debenture Stock 2019 10,622 10,622 48,356.05 units - Charities Aid Foundation Income Fund 30,000 30,000

£96,194 £96,194

MARKET VALUE as at 31 December 1997 £115,540 £106,113

No adjustment has been made for the increase in the value of the Investments.

£ 2. FIXED ASSETS

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Net Book Value £1

The cost ofthe Computer Equipment has being written off over three years on a straight line basis

3. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions in advance £1,200 £1,599 PAYEandNIC £1,426 £1,404 Accruals £416 £402

£3,042 £3,405