World War II
Vian returned to the UK shortly before World War II broke out. An appointment to command the boys' training establishment HMS Ganges was cancelled, and he was appointed to command of the 11th Destroyer Flotilla. This flotilla had been recently activated from reserve and consisting of seven old V and W class destroyers plus his own ship, HMS Mackay, based first at Plymouth then at Liverpool, with the role of escorting Atlantic convoys. There was an ineffective brush with a u-boat. A change in policy required Vian, as a Captain (D), to operate from shore, the better to command his flotilla.
Early in 1940 he moved again, this time to command of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, the famous Tribal class destroyers. The leader's ship at the time was HMS Afridi but as she was due for a refit he swapped ships to take over Cossack. (The following are highlights; there were many other "routine" but necessary operations and actions.)
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