8th Cruiser Squadron

Last updated
8th Cruiser Squadron
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg
Active1912-1914, 1924-1942
Country United Kingdom
Allegiance British Empire
Branch Royal Navy
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Rear-Admiral John M. de Robeck

The 8th Cruiser Squadron was a temporary formation of cruisers of the British Royal Navy from 1912 to 1914. [1] and again from 1924/25 to 1942.

Contents

The Royal Navy's cruiser squadrons contained a maximum of five to six ships but down as low as two to three ships. From 1914 they were usually designated as Light Cruiser Squadrons, while after 1925 they were re-designated Cruiser Squadrons. [2]

History

First Formation

The 8th Cruiser Squadron was a temporary naval unit attached to the Third Fleet. The then Admiral of Patrols, Rear-Admiral J. M. de Robeck, assumed command on 26 July 1914, (for Test Mobilisation), however the squadron was never officially constituted. [3] De Robeck was then given command of the 9th Cruiser Squadron also known as Cruiser Force I on 4 August 1914. [4]

Second Formation

In 1924/25 the 8th Light Cruiser Squadron was re-designated 8th Cruiser Squadron and came under the direct command of the Commander-in-Chief North America and West Indies until 1942. [5] [6]

Rear/Vice-Admiral commanding

First Formation

RankFlagNameTermNotes
Rear-Admiral Commanding, 8th Cruiser Squadron
1Rear-Admiral Flag of Rear-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg John M. de Robeck 26 July 1914
Squadron disbanded

Second formation

Of note: The squadron was under direct command of the Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies [7] [8]

RankFlagNameTermNotes
CinC NAWI/Vice-Admiral Commanding, 8th Cruiser Squadron [9]
1Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Sir James Fergusson May 1924-June 1926
2Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Sir Walter Cowan June 1926-July 1928
3Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Sir Cyril Fuller May 1930-April 1932
4Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Sir Vernon Haggard May 1930-April 1932
5Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Sir Reginald Plunkett April 1932-November 1934
6Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Sir Matthew Best November 1934-May 1937
7Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Sir Sidney Meyrick May 1937-April 1940
8Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Charles Kennedy-Purvis April 1940-April 1942
9Vice-Admiral Flag of Vice-Admiral - Royal Navy.svg Alban Curteis April 1942-July 1942

Notes

  1. Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployments 1900-1914: (5) May 1912-July 1914". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 8 August 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  2. Watson. 2015.
  3. Watson. 2015.
  4. Tucker, Spencer; Wood, Laura Matysek; Murphy, Justin D. (1999). The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia. Oxford, England: Taylor & Francis. p. 116. ISBN   9780815333517.
  5. Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919-1939". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 2 September 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  6. The Navy List for April, 1938 Corrected to March, 1938. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. 1938. p. 207. VII.-OTHER FOREIGN STATIONS.
    AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
    EIGHTH CRUISER SQUADRON.
    York (Flag of C.-in-C.), Apollo, Orion, Exeter (Commodore, South America Division), Ajax
    ESCORT VESSELS.
    Scarborough, Dundee
    Malabar (Depot Ship, Bermuda)
  7. Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919-1939: 6. CRUISER DEPLOYMENT 1919-1939". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  8. Watson, Dr Gordon. "Royal Navy Organization in World War 2, 1939-1945: AMERICA AND WEST INDIES COMMAND, 1939-1942". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  9. Tennyson, Brian Douglas; Sarty, Roger (2000). Guardian of the Gulf: Sydney, Cape Breton, and the Atlantic Wars . Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press. p.  407. ISBN   9780802085450. CINC NAWI.

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References