Pinned post for Q&A :)

Let's hear it for Mrs  Nona Cunnningham, a true officer's wife.

My grand father was captain of hms decoy! I now have to check if he was captain responsible for the first blood against the Italians. Also decoys war service is probably good enough to earn its own 5 minute guid or at least a good chunk of a d class guide

Edit it was him!

Nature is healing. We got Admiral Nelsons' fourth episode, and now Admiral Cunninghams' third.

I hardly thought it possible that my admiration Admiral Cunningham could be higher but, after watching this terrific video, it duly is. What an extraordinary diplomat he was, in addition to being such a superb naval commander. Thank you Drach, another great piece of work.

Cunningham's letter to Dudley Pound was a thing of beauty - a masterclass in very politely letting the boss know how angry he was... wonderful.

Got to admire the behavior of both Godfroy and Cunigham in such a horrific situation I can only imagine how terrible it would be to be in Godfory's shoes...

The interaction of Cunningham and Godfrey in Alexandria is the a shining example of not acting rash when under pressure.  We have Cunningham to thank for there not being two major British on French tragedies in the Mediterranean.  Drach, you have once again done an absolutely splendid job and I am always excited for Wednesday morning because I know that we will get a good history lesson and a fantastic amount of dry humor and wit to go along with it.  Keep it up, I look forward to seeing how you manage to tackle Lucky Fluckey and USS Barb!

I think we might need a special for Warspite's spotter plane at this rate. Records seem to suggest that the float plane shot down an Bf109 over Narvik,  dive bombed some destroyers and then it seemed the spotter plane flew around the Italian flag ship joking that they can't hit the broadside of a barndoor at Calabria.  That's some shenanigans for a float plane and its only 1940!

Filed in the admirals fireplace GREAT LINE!!

I am rather early in listening to this portion of the Cunningham series. But it sounds like the Admiral had a previously unappreciated aide-de-camp. Mrs. Cunningham (who barely merits a line in most of his basic biographical entries) certainly seems to have been a very sensible, brave, and resourceful spouse who was a genuine helpmate to her husband. Bless her.

"Did someone say... WARSPITE?!?!?"
Come on, you know we all want it as a sticker.

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.

Warspite beating the convoy back: Jeremy Clarkson voice POWEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

The moment Cunningham ignored London's order and chose negotiation over opening fire on the French fleet in Alexandria really stood out. It took far more courage to prevent a battle between allies than to fight one, and that decision paid off years later.

Cunningham doing his best in Alexandria really highlights what a shitshow Mers el Kabir had been.

Admiral Cleverbacon was the finest fighting fleet commander of WW2.

I attended a naval boarding school in The 1960’s, and most of the staff were ex RN.  A favourite teacher, Commander West, would regale us young lads with stories of naval exploits, and none were more enjoyed than tales of Admiral Cunningham.

Three cheers for MRS. Cunningham.  She seems like a tough lady.

Last time I was this early Ironclads we’re duking it out with cannons