Difference between revisions of "Admiralty War Staff"
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==Opening Months of the War== | ==Opening Months of the War== | ||
| + | In 1919 Admiral [[Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, First Baron Wester Wemyss|Sir Rosslyn Wemyss]] wrote that: | ||
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| + | :The Admiralty needs a large and efficient staff organisation. At the commencement of the war this was lamentably inadequate."<ref>Quoted in Bennett. ''Naval Battles of the First World War''. p. 84.</ref> | ||
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| + | Captain [[Herbert William Richmond|Richmond]], the Assistant Director of the Operations Division, wrote: | ||
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| + | :The War Staff was deficient in all the characteristics needed for staff work. The whole of the work passes through the Chief of Staff. There is no decentralisation, and his mind has to grapple with every problem that arises, even in its details. The result is that the First Sea Lord and Chief of Staff are so overworked that they cannot foresee and provide in advance.<ref>Quoted in Bennett. ''Naval Battles of the First World War''. p. 85.</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Assessment== | ||
Historian [[Richard Hough (Naval Historian)|Richard Hough]] described the Staff at the time of Coronel: "… craven, inexperienced and not sufficiently brainy."<ref>Hough. ''Former Naval Person''. p. 64.</ref> | Historian [[Richard Hough (Naval Historian)|Richard Hough]] described the Staff at the time of Coronel: "… craven, inexperienced and not sufficiently brainy."<ref>Hough. ''Former Naval Person''. p. 64.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 10:37, 31 December 2009
Opening Months of the War
In 1919 Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss wrote that:
- The Admiralty needs a large and efficient staff organisation. At the commencement of the war this was lamentably inadequate."[1]
Captain Richmond, the Assistant Director of the Operations Division, wrote:
- The War Staff was deficient in all the characteristics needed for staff work. The whole of the work passes through the Chief of Staff. There is no decentralisation, and his mind has to grapple with every problem that arises, even in its details. The result is that the First Sea Lord and Chief of Staff are so overworked that they cannot foresee and provide in advance.[2]
Assessment
Historian Richard Hough described the Staff at the time of Coronel: "… craven, inexperienced and not sufficiently brainy."[3]
Footnotes
Bibliography
