In April 1955 Mountbatten becomes First Sea Lord, and starts trimming the Navy down to a suitable peace-time force. In this episode, Mountbatten expresses some doubts about the Suez affair, while being pleased with the success of the combined assault itself. In 1957, he and the Minister of Defence (Sandys) reshape the Navy, which continues to be kept busy with the various emergencies around the world - Cyprus, Aden, Jordan etc. Mountbatten becomes Chief of Defence Staff in 1959 and brings about more sweeping defence changes in the face of strong opposition. In February 1960 his daughter Pamela marries, but, in the same year, Lady Mountbatten dies while on a tour of the far east. Mountbatten is persuaded by MacMillan not to retire in 1962, and he assists in the amalgamation of the three services under the single Ministry of Defence. He finally retires in 1965.
