Flag_Officer,_West_Africa

Flag Officer, West Africa

Flag Officer, West Africa

Military unit

This article is about the period from 1942-1945. For the preceding article West Coast of Africa Station, (1808-1856, 1866), see West Africa Squadron. For the preceding article Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station, (1857-1865, 1867-1920), see Cape of Good Hope Station.

The Flag Officer, West Africa (FOWA) was a military command of the British Royal Navy during the Second World War. It existed from 1942 to 1945.

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The Royal Navy's prior history in West Africa

During the 19th century, the West Africa Squadron was created, primarily as an anti-slavery effort. Later the Cape of Good Hope Station, homeported at Simonstown, South Africa, merged with the West Coast of Africa Station to create the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station for the periods 1857-1865 and 1867-1920.

  • 1807: British slave trade illegal
  • 1808: First RN anti-slavery patrol, West Africa Squadron, ships on "particular service"
  • 1819: West African Station an independent command under a Commodore
  • 1840: West African Station still independent, but not under a Commodore
  • 1842: West African Station once more commanded by a Commodore
  • 1857-1865: West African Station again combined with Cape of Good Hope Station
  • 1866: West African Station an independent command again
  • 1867 West Africa/Preventative Squadron is disbanded
  • 1867-1920 Ships in West Africa under control of Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station and West Africa Station
  • 1942-1945 Flag Officer, West Africa operated from Freetown, Sierra Leone

The Second World War

In 1941, escort forces began to be built up at Freetown.[1] The post of Flag Officer, West Africa was established in August 1942 as part of the Admiralty re-organisation of commands.[1] He initially controlled two corvettes and a few Free French ships.[1] This was due to the growing importance of Freetown as a major base for convoy escorts.[1] It existed until 1945.

Flag Officers, West Africa

Post holders included:[2]

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Components

Distribution of units attached to station included:[1]
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References

  1. [1]
    Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation in World War 2, 1939-1945:West Africa Command". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  2. [2]
    Mackie, Colin. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie, p.84. February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  • Mackie, Colin. (2018) "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie. Scotland, UK.
  • Watson, Dr Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation in World War 2, 1939-1945:West Africa Command". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015.
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