 He is notable for drawing up the attack plan for the Battle of Taranto, beginning in 1935 on the instructions of Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, and for putting it into execution in November 1940.In 1941 he was appointed as Fifth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Air Services and Commander of the Aircraft Carriers in the Home Fleet, with his flag in , and in 1942 he commanded air operations during Operation Pedestal, for which he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.His last appointment was as Flag Officer, Carrier Training, in 1943 before he retired in 1945.