"You are to take command of the fleet and return to August immediately."

A commander like that would've already lost command of the fleet.

At least I wouldn't have to give up fleet command.

Yet you are still obviously in command of the fleet.

However, the war was all but lost by the time Hipper took command of the fleet.

Overall naval command of the fleet was at times contentious.

It was this sort of integrity that earned him trust in fleet command.

Most likely, fleet command was prepping them for another burn.

I am giving you operational command of the fleet during this crisis.

They could easily have asserted command of the fleet.