Fighting Admiral

"The Fighting Admiral" describes the life and times of Admiral Sir James Somerville. Sir James had a long and distinguished naval career, starting a a cadet in 1897 and becoming Admiral of the Fleet before retiring after WWII. He saw action in both wars, and was first decorated with a DSO for his efforts in the Dardonelles campaign in 1916. He commanded fleets in the Mediterranean (including Force H), North Africa, the Indian Ocean (1942 to 1944), at which time he was placed in charge of the British Admiralty Delegation in Washington D.C. At various times, he was responsible for radar installations onshore and on board the ships, helped organise the evacuation of Dunkirk, played a key role in the sinking of the Bismarck, and was an instructor at the Imperial Defence College in 1927.

This is a very frank and honest telling of the life of one of the most famous British admirals of that time.