Air Vice Marshal Sir P. Maltby.
Pe
Para.
60
636-38
6.
COMMAND.
"Such complicated machinery (military and civil) is unlikely to work efficiently during times of emergency when speed in preparing for war is paramount. It has even less chance of success in war itself.
This
From this emerges the lesson that responsibility for the defence of any region which is expos el to attack is better centralisel in a Higher Command, both during the preparatory period before war and during war itself. higher command should have full operational and administrative authority over the three fighting services, and also strong representation in all matters affecting the civil population.
In short, control should be comprehensive, and, in particular, administrative responsibility should not be divorced from operational
responsibility. The outcome of war is likely to be in proportion to the observance of this lesson. Unity of Command enhances the prospect of success; lack of it invites failure."
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