Louis Mountbatten experienced a tumultuous period marked by significant historical events that affected many, including the passing of King George V, the abdication of King Edward VIII, and the ongoing conflict in Spain. Additionally, the Japanese invasion of China, the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations, and the policy of appeasement contributed to political instability, leading to the resignations of both the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Foreign Secretary, positions Mountbatten himself opposed. This challenging time was further compounded by the death of his brother, George, the Marquis of Milford Haven, as well as the mobilization of German and French forces and the contentious issue surrounding the control of the Fleet Air Arm, which ultimately favored the Navy.
In June 1939, Mountbatten was appointed captain of the 5th destroyer flotilla, taking command of HMS Kelly. During a reunion dinner in 1966, he recounted the harrowing experience of the Kelly being torpedoed and the successful efforts to tow her back to safety during the April 1940 raid on Norway. Despite these efforts, the ship was ultimately lost after undergoing a complete refit in May 1941 during the evacuation of Crete.
