A naval reformer sent to negotiate without authority
When the Soviet side asked about negotiating authority, Drax's mission could make no decision without government approval.
Reginald Drax was a Royal Navy admiral who argued for more active tactics and reform of naval command, while holding major staff and operational posts between the world wars. In August 1939 he led the British military mission to Moscow, sent with the French delegation to discuss cooperation with the Soviet Union but without written authority to negotiate. His mission's slow arrival in an outdated merchant ship and inability to commit the British government exposed the limits and mistrust surrounding the talks to prevent war with Germany, which ultimately failed.
Career Timeline
- 1896Entered the Royal Navy; trained aboard HMS Britannia
- 1909Published Modern Naval Tactics; studied staff training
- 1914–1918Served in HMS Lion; took part in major First World War naval actions
- 1919–1922Director, Royal Naval Staff College
- 1923–1924President, Naval Allied Control Commission in Germany
- 1932–1934Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station
- 1935–1938Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
- 1939Led the British military mission to the Moscow talks
- 1939–1941Commander-in-Chief, The Nore
- 1943–1945Commodore of ocean convoys
- 1939Published Mission to Moscow