Joseph Mitterando

“Senseless brutality had no place in the proper maintenance of order and discipline.”
― Alexander Kent, Form Line of Battle!: The Richard Bolitho Novels

“As John Paul Jones said under very similar circumstances, `If we cannot have what we like, we must learn to like what we have!”
― Alexander Kent, The Flag Captain

“was an officer's fault for losing his own head, or not being able to find the right words in the teeth of a raging gale.”
― Alexander Kent, Command a King's Ship

“Bolitho shook his head. "The enemy's weakness does not lie in his ships, or in his courage either. It is leadership. Two-thirds of their trained and experienced officers were butchered in the Terror. And they'll not regain their confidence while they are bottled up in harbour by our blockade." He knew Draffen was deliberately drawing him out but continued, "Each time they break out and engage our squadrons they learn a little more, grow steadily more confident, even if a sea victory is denied them. Blockade is no longer the answer, in my opinion. It hurts the innocent as much as those for whom it is intended. Clearcut, decisive action is the solution. Hit the enemy whenever and wherever you can, the size of the actions is almost immaterial.”
― Alexander Kent, The Flag Captain