Harwich Force
The Harwich Force was a Royal Navy command during the First World War, based on the East Anglian port of Harwich.
History
The command was founded in April, 1914 as "Destroyer Flotillas of First Fleet," an administrative name it would sporadically bear for some time in the Navy Lists.[1]
From the outbreak of war, the Force was comprised of the Third Destroyer Flotilla (re-designated as the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla in September 1915) and the Tenth Destroyer Flotilla equipped with fast and modern ships and the Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron.
Around March, 1917, the Ninth Destroyer Flotilla would leave, but by this time 10 D.F. had been increased in strength to 27 destroyers whose modernity had been continuously refreshed. 5 L.C.S. would also be over twice as strong by this time, as well.
May, 1915
By May 1915, it was given the more aggressive-sounding name, Harwich Striking Force, then having the Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron with two light cruisers (with two others being completed) and two destroyer squadrons served by depot ship Dido, two light cruisers and two other leaders (one being completed), giving it a total of four light cruisers and thirty-two "L" and "M" class destroyers.[2]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (two light cruisers, two others being completed)
- Third Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, twenty "L" class, one "M" class)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, eleven "M" class)
June, 1915
The formations are now somewhat stronger.[3]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (four light cruisers)
- Third Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, twenty "L" class destroyers)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, thirteen "M" class)
July, 1915
The formations are now somewhat stronger.[4]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (four light cruisers)
- Third Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, twenty "L" class destroyers)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, fifteen "M" class destroyers plus one joining shortly, and the Acorn Class destroyer H.M.S. Hope)
August, 1915
The stray destroyer from last month is not longer affiliated.[5]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (four light cruisers)
- Third Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, twenty "L" class destroyers)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, fifteen "M" class destroyers plus one joining shortly)
September, 1915
10 D.F. has gained a division leader and the lagging H.M.S. Melpomene.[6]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (four light cruisers)
- Third Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, twenty "L" class destroyers)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, sixteen "M" class destroyers)
October, 1915
Third Destroyer Flotilla has been replaced by Ninth Destroyer Flotilla (largely, through re-naming), with three fewer "L" destroyers. This strength would persist through October.[7]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (four light cruisers)
- Ninth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, seventeen "L" class destroyers)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, sixteen "M" class destroyers)
November, 1915
5 L.C.S. has gained a seaplane carrier, and 9 D.F. has gained a destroyer.[8]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (four light cruisers, one seaplane carrier)
- Ninth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, eighteen "L" class destroyers)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, sixteen "M" class destroyers)
Battle of Jutland
- Main article: Harwich Force at the Battle of Jutland
April, 1917
9 D.F. has left the Force.[9]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (eight light cruisers, one seaplane carrier)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, one divisional leader, twenty-seven "M" and "R" class destroyers)
May, 1917
10 D.F. has gained a second divisional leader and one more destroyer.[10]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (eight light cruisers, one seaplane carrier)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, two divisional leaders, twenty-eight "M" and "R" class destroyers)
June, 1917
10 D.F. has lost two destroyers in aggregate.[11]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (eight light cruisers, one seaplane carrier)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, two divisional leaders, twenty-six "M" and "R" class destroyers)
July, 1917
10 D.F. has gained a third divisional leader and lost two more destroyers, leaving it with only "R" class. This strength and structure would last through at least August.[12]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (eight light cruisers, one seaplane carrier)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, three divisional leaders, twenty-four "R" class destroyers)
September, 1917
10 D.F. has lost another destroyer, leaving it with twenty-three "Rs". This strength and structure would last through at least October.[13]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (eight light cruisers, one seaplane carrier)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, three divisional leaders, twenty-three "R" class destroyers)
December, 1917
10 D.F. gained another flotilla leader and destroyer.[14]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (eight light cruisers, one seaplane carrier)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, four divisional leaders, twenty-four "R" class destroyers)
January, 1918
5 L.C.S. gained another light cruiser and 10 D.F. lost three destroyers.[15]
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (nine light cruisers, one seaplane carrier)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (one light cruiser, four divisional leaders with another expected to join soon, twenty-one "R" class destroyers)
1 December, 1918
- Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron (ten light cruisers, one of which is paid off)
- Tenth Destroyer Flotilla (four leaders, twenty-four modern destroyers)
- Sixth Fleet Sweeping Flotilla (four sweepers, operating out of Harwich)
- Twentieth Fleet Sweeping Flotilla (four sweepers, operating out of Felixstowe)
Rear-Admirals and Commodores Commanding
The command was almost unique in having a single commander throughout the conflict.
Dates of appointment given:
- Rear-Admiral Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, 27 April, 1914[16] – 1 May, 1919[17]
- Rear-Admiral George H. Borrett, 1 March, 1919[18] – 23 August, 1919[19]
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 6.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 13, and subsequent Supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1917). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1917). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 13 and August's Supplement.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1917). p. 13 and Supplements through November.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1917). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1918). p. 13.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 6.
- ↑ Tyrwhitt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 125.
- ↑ Borrett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 505.
- ↑ Borrett Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/88. f. 134.
Bibliography
