Today we continue our look at the interwar career of Admiral Cunningham, one of the greatest 20th century Admirals of the Royal Navy.
Part 1: https://youtu.be/n1cUQRTsfYo
Part 2: https://youtu.be/-dP2jvKVNNM
Sources:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sailors-Odyssey-Autobiography-Admiral-Cunningham/dp/1399092952
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cunningham-Papers-Mediterranean-Selections-Correspondence/dp/1840146222
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Admiral-Fleet-Andrew-Cunningham-Twentieth-Century/dp/0714684600
Naval History books, use code ‘DRACH’ for 25% off – https://www.usni.org/press/books?f%5B0%5D=subject%3A1966
Free naval photos and channel posters – www.drachinifel.co.uk
Want to support the channel? – https://www.patreon.com/Drachinifel
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‘Legionnaire’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
source
Pinned post for Q&A 🙂
love your work Drach
34:10 "…offering their sincerest congratulations on his achievements in resolving the situation without bloodshed."
One has to wonder how hard it was for him to resist writing back "no thanks to you bloody idiots".
Great to see part 3 of the series on this outstanding naval commander. There were a few fine Admirals i WWII but I think Cunningham is my favorite. For some reason, however, i was under the impression that he was at Mers al Kabir as well???
Speaking of the Italians NOT sinking a block ship in the Suez Canal is they were unable to get anyone drunk enough to agree to lead such an action cuz it was probably deemed as suicidal
to attempt such a thing.
In every action of war you have to calculate risk with possible outcomes & they probably figured that risk was too great & that if they did manage to block the way, that it would probably be weeks rather than months before the obstruction was removed. If an under water demolition team were deployed to set charges in certain structural elements of the block ship & reduce the ship to a thin pile of steel on the bottom in the case that it couldn't simply be refloated & hauled away. But either way block ships can usually be removed if the waters in the area are not being contested.
That must have been a sight to see.
"The fleet has arrived!"
Hears bombs falling and exploding, airplane engines and watches tracers and searchlights arching everywhere
shock pikaku face
There's a book called "Their Finest Hour" in which some of the Admiralty's weirder behavior is mentioned. Churchill and the "old gang" from WW1 are part of the mix. It is a truly excruciating book, but well worth reading in context with Cunningham's issues.
I knew about MEK (though not as completely as before this channel), and it is amazing to hear that Alexandria was almost literally the same situation. I'm just glad that cooler heads prevailed in this case, but the parallels are too many to ignore.
Thanks Drach
Damn man I tip my preverbal hat to you. This was a fine video the story of what happened at Alexandria during operation catapult at least for me was little known. It’s a event badly deserving much more attention at least to an international audience. As an American perhaps I’m unaware of British and commonwealth memory of it. I loved the videos on admirals King & Lee they’re some of my favorites of yours. This series on Cunningham is quickly taking its place amongst them. Hard to make any distinctions of true favorites tho tbh your work is so prolific, well researched & always delves into the human aspect when possible. Again hat’s off!
That Alexandria section. I normally don't comment until I'm actually finished the video, but man, what an inspiring story. I got to the final, last hope of the British captains personally going to talk to their paired French captain counterparts and I just… absolutely broke down in tears, truly and honestly.
new music is actually even better, somehow
Got to say I'm loving the epic new intro music!
Cunningham did an excellent job of diplomacy with the French. I do believe (I may be wrong) that Lord Nelson was also a good diplomat when needed.
Bravo Drach, another really excellent production.
I cannot wait for episode 4!
Brilliant thank you
Dardanelles Twist of fate .
So about that months in advance coastal bombarment inspiring upgrading of Turkish forts.
Im thinking German U-boat.
This guy is sick on Legends
I named one of my twin daughters after the gladiator's on Malta, first name Faith middle name hope, I wanted to name the other kid charity but their mom wasn't having it
Does anyone have a link or info re the phot at 42:38 ?
Best admiral after Nelson?