Strategy, fleet logistics, and the Lethbridge Mission to the Pacific and Indian Oceans 1943-1944 /

MADSEN Chris

Strategy, fleet logistics, and the Lethbridge Mission to the Pacific and Indian Oceans 1943-1944 / Chris Madsen - 2008

The British Royal Navy in the early part of the second world war found itself relying on a modest number of large naval bases for operational and logisitcs support. The fall of Singapore highlighted the limitations of this approach. Major-General John Lethbridge was therefore charged to lead a mission to learn as much as possible about the very successful methods used by the United States as well as those of the enemy forces of Japan. This article tells the story of the mission and its influence in shaping British naval strategy. Covers the structure of the mission itself, logistics plans and organisation, command arrangements, the role of advance bases, afloat sustainment, naval air and amphibious operations, and manpower.


SEA POWER--LOGISTICS
LETHBRIDGE MISSION
SECOND WORLD WAR--NAVAL LOGISTICS