The British 5th Destroyer Flotilla,[1] or Fifth Destroyer Flotilla, was a naval formation of the Royal Navy from 1910 to 1942 and again from 1947 to 1951.
5th Destroyer Flotilla | |
---|---|
Active | February, 1910–1942, 1947-1951 |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Size | Flotilla |
Commanders | |
First | Captain Herbert E. Holmes-à-Court |
Last | Captain Llewellyn V. Morgan |
The flotilla was formed in February 1910 and disbanded in 1942. Its first commander was Captain Herbert E. Holmes-à-Court and its final pre-war commander was Captain Llewellyn V. Morgan.[2] It was reformed in June 1939 under the commannd of Captain Louis Mountbatten and was composed of new J- and K-class destroyers which were still under construction.[3] The flottila participated in the Norwegian campaign and Operation Medium, the bombardment of Cherbourg in October 1940, transferring to the Mediterranean in April 1941.[4] By the end of May 1941, the ships of the "Fighting Fifth" had been either dispersed or sunk during the Battle of Crete.[5] The flotilla was briefly reformed at Alexandria composed of Hunt-class destroyers.
The flotilla was reactivated in March 1947 until December 1951. In January 1952 it was re-designated 5th Destroyer Squadron.
Note: Command structure organizational changes took place within Royal Navy post war period the term Flotilla was previously applied to a tactical unit until 1951 which led to the creation of three specific Flag Officers, Flotillas responsible for the Eastern, Home and Mediterranean fleets the existing destroyer flotillas were re-organized now as administrative squadrons.[6]
Assigned to | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|
Home Fleet, 3rd Division, Devonport Division | 1909 to 1912 | |
Admiral of Patrols | March 1909 to 1913 | transferred to Med |
Mediterranean Fleet | August 1914 to November 1918 | |
Home Fleet | April to November 1919 | |
Atlantic Fleet | 1921 to April 1925 | dispersed ships to 1DF Med. |
Home Fleet | September 1939 to April 1941 | reformed detached Humber Force |
Western Approaches Command | September 1940 to February 1941 | |
Plymouth Command | February to March 1941 | |
Mediterranean Fleet | 1 July 1941 to 1 August 1942 | disbanded |
Levant Command | 29 January 1943 to 1 October 1943 | reformed |
Mediterranean Fleet | 2 October 1943 to May 1945 | |
Home Fleet | June 1945 to 1951 | re-designated 5th Destroyer Squadron |
Incomplete list of post holders included:[7]
Included:[13]
, Home Fleet from March 1947
5th Destroyer Flotilla
, Home Fleet 1947
5th Destroyer Flotilla
, Home Fleet 1948
5th Destroyer Flotilla
, Home Fleet 1949
5th Destroyer Flotilla
, Home Fleet 1950
5th Destroyer Flotilla
, Home Fleet 1951
5th Destroyer Flotilla