3rd_Destroyer_Flotilla

3rd Destroyer Flotilla

3rd Destroyer Flotilla

Military unit

The British 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, also styled as Third Destroyer Flotilla, was a naval formation of the Royal Navy from 1909 to 1939 and again from 1945 to 1951.

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History

In 1907 the Channel Fleet had a large Channel Flotilla of destroyers in February 1909 when it was divided to form the 1st and 3rd Destroyer Flotillas. From March 1909 to May 1912 the formation was part of the Nore Division, 3rd Division Home Fleet.[1] In May 1912, the Home Fleet was split into the First Fleet, with ships in full commission, and the Second and Third Fleets, composed of ships partly crewed and laid up in reserve respectively. The 3rd Destroyer Flotilla remained part of the First Fleet until July 1914.[1]

On the outbreak of the First World War, the First Fleet became the Grand Fleet, and the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla joined the newly formed Harwich Force.[2] In the summer of 1915 it was renumbered the 9th Destroyer Flotilla.[3] It was reformed again from March 1918 as part of the Grand Fleet till November 1918.[4]

After the War the Flotilla joined the Atlantic Fleet, forming part of that organisation from December 1918 until August 1923. It was then allocated to the Mediterranean Fleet until 1926 when it was temporarily assigned to the China Station until 1927. It returned to the Mediterranean until 1938.[5] By the beginning of World War Two in September 1939 it was still in the Mediterranean Fleet. It was re-allocated to the Home Fleet in October 1939 to November 1944 under the command of the Rear-Admiral, Destroyer Flotillas Home Fleet.[6] The flotilla was sent back to join the Mediterranean Fleet in November 1944.

Throughout this period the term Flotilla had applied to a tactical unit. In 1951, instead, three specific Flag Officers, Flotillas, were created responsible for escorts up to cruisers for the Eastern, Home and Mediterranean fleets. The previous destroyer flotillas were redesignated squadrons,[7] and thus the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla became the 3rd Destroyer Squadron in July 1951.

Operational deployments

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Flotilla commander

The commander of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla held the title of Captain (Destroyers), or 'Captain (D)'. Those officers included (incomplete list):[8][9]

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Composition 1945 to 1951

Included: [10] United Kingdom, Mediterranean Fleet 1945
3rd Destroyer Flotilla

United Kingdom, Mediterranean Fleet 1946
3rd Destroyer Flotilla

  • HMS Troubridge (Leader)
  • HMS Venus
  • HMS Verulam
  • HMS Virago
  • HMS Volage
  • HMS Brissenden

United Kingdom, Mediterranean Fleet 1947
3rd Destroyer Flotilla

United Kingdom, Mediterranean Fleet 1948
3rd Destroyer Flotilla

  • HMS Troubridge (Leader)
  • HMS Venus
  • HMS Verulam
  • HMS Virago
  • HMS Volage

United Kingdom, Mediterranean Fleet 1949
3rd Destroyer Flotilla

United Kingdom, Mediterranean Fleet 1950
3rd Destroyer Flotilla

  • HMS Saintes (Leader)
  • HMS Armada
  • HMS Gravelines
  • HMS Vigo

United Kingdom, Mediterranean Fleet 1951
3rd Destroyer Flotilla

  • HMS Saintes (Leader)
  • HMS Armada
  • HMS Gravelines
  • HMS Vigo

References

  1. [1]
    Watson, Graham (8 August 2015). "From Imperial Policeman to North Sea Battle Fleet: The Evolution of British Naval Deployment 1900–1914". Royal Navy, "Pax Britannica", 1815-1914. www.naval-history.net. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  2. [2]
    Manning 1961, p. 25
  3. [3]
    Manning 1961, p. 26
  4. [4]
    Watson, Graham (8 August 2015). "Organisation of the Royal Navy 1914-1918: 6. List of Squadrons and Flotillas 1914-1918". World War 1 at Sea. www.naval-history.net. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  5. [5]
    Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919-1939". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 2 September 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  6. [6]
    Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation in World War 2, 1939-1945". www.naval-history.net. n Smith, 19 September 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  7. [7]
    Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947-2013: FLOTILLAS AND SQUADRONS 1947-1971". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 12 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  8. [8]
    Harley, Simon; Lovell, Tony. "Third Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project". www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Harley and Lovell, 29 May 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  9. [9]
    Mackie, Colin. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie, July 2018. pp. 224–226. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  10. [10]
    Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947-2013: Fleet Organization 1947 to 1954". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 12 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2018.

Sources

  • Manning, T. D. (1961). The British Destroyer. London: Putnam.
  • Harley, Simon; Lovell, Tony. (2018) "Third Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy) - The Dreadnought Project". www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Harley and Lovell, 29 May 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  • Watson, Dr Graham. (2015) Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployments 1900-1914". www.naval-history.net. G. Smith.
  • Watson, Dr Graham. (2015) "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1914-1918". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith.
  • Watson, Dr Graham. (2015) "Royal Navy Organisation in World War 2, 1939-1945". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith.
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