I thought for a moment you'd gained access to my bank account ...

My present research project (or one of them) is Sir Stanley Goodall who was Director of Naval Construction in the years up to the outbreak of WWII and during much of the war. Some years back the WSS published excerpts from his personal diary. These were then reissued as a printed book, expanded and with illustrations, and the 1933/4 entries have just been published. These provide a fascinating insight into how the RN prepared for WWII and how decisions were made - some of which Goodall didn't agree with (the 1930s rebuild of HMS Warspite, for example: he wanted Malaya to be done first). These personal diaries can be read in conjunction with folders of Goodall's 'Personal Papers' lodged in the National Archives @ Kew. Time spent at Kew is never wasted!
Add to this recent searches on Scarpa Flow, Iron Duke, DEMs. Habbakuk, etc ... the answers are out there ... you just have to find them!

If anyone wants me next week I'm 'in residence' @ Kew - its cool there.

TH