British Naval Forces Germany

British Naval Forces Germany was a command (military formation) of the Royal Navy that was active from 1944 to 1961 under three titles.

Flag Officer, British Naval Forces Germany
Active1944–1961
CountryUnited Kingdom
AllegianceBritish Empire
BranchRoyal Navy
TypeCommand
Part of
  • Admiralty (1944–1961)
Garrison/HQHMS Royal Charlotte, Minden
North Rhine-Westphalia
West Germany

It was administered originally by the British Naval Commander-in-Chief, Germany from 1944 to 1946. In 1946 the commander's title changed to Vice-Admiral Commanding, British Naval Forces, Germany from 1946 to 1947, before being renamed to Flag Officer, British Naval Forces Germany until 1961.[1]

History

In 1944, the Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief, Expeditionary Force, was also given the title of British Naval Commander-in-Chief, Germany, before the surrender of Germany. In addition he was also Head of the Naval Division of the Control Commission for Germany, not always in attendance in Berlin, he was represented by a Deputy Head who attended the BERGOS (Chiefs of Staff) meetings.[2] As British Naval Commander-in-Chief, Germany, he was supported by a number of flag officers some of whose titles changed, due to an expanding of their particular command areas and duties. Flag Officer-in-Charge, Kiel became Flag Officer, Schleswig-Holstein and Flag Officer, Wilhelmshaven became Flag Officer, Western Germany.[3] His headquarters were initially at Hamburg and then transferred later at Minden. His title was altered in 1946 to Vice Admiral Commanding, British Naval Forces, Germany.[4] In 1947 the post holders title was changed to Flag Officer Commanding, British Naval Forces, Germany. Apart from his additional role as Chief British Naval Representative in the Allied Control Commission (Germany), he was responsible for all naval matters in Western Germany, Denmark, Holland and Norway.[5]

In May 1951 the admiral's title was changed again to Flag Officer, Germany.[6] In 1955 the Secretary of State for Defence described the admiral's duties as "The Flag Officer, Germany, in his North Atlantic Treaty Organisation capacity as the Commander, Allied Naval Forces, Northern Area, Central Europe, is responsible to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, for naval planning matters in the British Zone and for the operational control of the Royal Naval forces in Germany. He is the naval member of the Commanders-in-Chief Committee (Germany) which is responsible to the Chiefs of Staff Committee in this country. The entry into force of the Paris Treaties will not affect the foregoing duties of the post until at least the future German navy is capable of performing the tasks required of naval forces in Germany."

In 1961 the post was disestablished.

Head Quarters

UnitLocationDatesNotes/Ref
HMS Royal Henry (flagship)Hamburg State, Germany1944–1945[7]
HMS Royal Albert (flagship)Hamburg State, Germany/West Germany1946–1950[8][9]
HMS Royal Prince (flagship)Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany1950–1956[10]
HMS Royal Charlotte (flagship)Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany1957–1961[11]

Flag Officers

British Naval Commander-in-Chief, Germany

Post holders included:

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
British Naval Commander-in-Chief, Germany
1AdmiralSir Bertram Ramsay27 April 1944 – May 1945
2AdmiralSir Harold M. BurroughMay 1945 – March 1946[12]

Flag Officer, Holland

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Flag Officer, Holland
1Rear-AdmiralGerald C. Dickens1944–1945[13]ret. Adm recommissioned as Radm.

Flag Officer-in-Charge, Kiel

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Flag Officer-in-Charge, Kiel
1Rear-AdmiralHarold Tom Baillie-Grohman1944–1945[14][15]title changed to FOS-H[16]

Flag Officer, Norway

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Flag Officer, Norway
1Rear-AdmiralJames Stewart McClaren Ritchie1944–1945[17]

Flag Officer, Schleswig-Holstein

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Flag Officer, Schleswig-Holstein
1Rear-AdmiralHarold Tom Baillie-Grohman1945–1946[18]

Flag Officer, Western Germany

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Flag Officer, Western Germany
1Rear-AdmiralG. C. Muirhead-Gould1945–1946[19]

Flag Officer, Wilhelmshaven

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Flag Officer, Wilhelmshaven
1Rear-AdmiralG. C. Muirhead-Gould1944–1945[20]title changed to FOWG[21]
Commodore-in-Charge, Hamburg
RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Commodore-in-Charge, Hamburg
1CommodoreHugh England1944–1945[22]

Vice-Admiral Commanding, British Naval Forces, Germany

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Vice-Admiral Commanding, British Naval Forces, Germany
1Vice-AdmiralSir Harold T.C. WalkerMarch 1946-June 1947[23]

Flag Officer Commanding, British Naval Forces, Germany

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Flag Officer Commanding, British Naval Forces, Germany
1Rear-AdmiralStephen H. T. ArlissJune 1947 – August 1949[24]
2Rear-AdmiralArchibald DayAugust 1949 – April 1950[25]
3Rear-AdmiralLachlan D. MackintoshApril-November 1950[26]
4Rear-AdmiralGeorge W. G. SimpsonNovember 1950 – -May 1951[27]

Flag Officer, Germany

RankFlagNameTermNotes/Ref
Flag Officer, Germany
1Rear-AdmiralGeorge W. G. SimpsonMay–November 1951[28][29]
2Rear-AdmiralRobert St. V. SherbrookeNovember 1951 – November 1953[30]
3Rear-AdmiralRobert S. WarneNovember 1953 – March 1955[31]
4Rear-AdmiralKeith McN. Campbell-WalterMarch 1955 – May 1958[32]
5Rear-AdmiralMichael S. TownsendMay 1958 – 1961[33]

Units and shore establishments

Shore establishments and units that constituted the Germany Station at various times from 1945 included:[34][35]

LocationUnitIn commandDatesNotes/Ref
BerlinHQ HMS Royal PrinceFlag Officer, BerlinMarch–August 1945shore establishment
HamburgHQ HMS Royal AlfredFlag Officer-in-Charge, Hamburg1944shore establishment
Kiel/TravemundeHQ HMS Royal AlfredFlag Officer-in-Charge, Kiel1945–1946shore establishment
PloenHQ HMS Royal AlfredFlag Officer, Schleswig Holstein1945–1946shore establishment
WilhelmshavenHQ HMS Royal KatherineFlag Officer, Wilhelmshaven1944–1945shore establishment
WilhelmshavenHQ HMS Royal KatherineFlag Officer, Western Germany1945–1946shore establishment
Kiel/TravemundeHQ HMS Royal AlfredSenior Naval Officer Schleswig Holstein1945–1946shore establishment
Bad OeynhausenHQ British Army on the RhineRoyal Navy Representative C-in-C Committee, Germany1958
BerlinHQ HMS Princess IreneSenior Naval Officer, Royal Navy Headquarters, Germanyshore establishment
BrunsbüttelHMS Princess Louise1945–1946shore establishment
CuxhavenMinesweeping UnitControl Commission Germany1948–1951
CuxhavenElbe SquadronCommanding Officer, Elbe Squadron
CuxhavenHMS Augusta1945–1946administrative unit ms
CuxhavenHQ HMS Royal AlbertNaval Officer-in-Charge, Cuxhaven1945–1948accounting base
EckernfördeHQ HMS Princess Caroline1945–1946shore establishment
FlensburgHQ HMS Royal AlexandraNaval Officer-in-Charge, Flensburg1945–1946shore establishment
FlensburgHQ HMS Royal AlexandraSenior Naval Officer-in-Charge, Flensburg1946–1947shore establishment
KielBritish Baltic Fishery Protection Service1949–1955covert intelligence unit[36]
KielHQ Land Commissioner, Schleswig-HolsteinNaval Liaison Officer to LC, Schleswig-Holstein
KielHMS Royal CharlotteSenior Officer Intelligence Kiel1945intelligence unit
KielHMS Royal HaroldNaval Officer-in-Charge, Kiel1945–1948shore establishment
KrefeldRhine FlotillaCommanding Officer, Rhine Flotilla1950[37]
KrefeldRhine SquadronCommanding Officer, Rhine Squadron1954[38]
LübeckHQ Royal CarolineNaval Officer in Charge, Lubeck1945–1946shore establishment
Lübeck1 Commando BrigadeCommander 1st Commando BrigadeMay–July 1945Royal Marines
SyltHMS Royal AdelaideNaval Officer-in-Charge, SyltMay–October 1945shore establishment
TonningHMS Royal Adelaide1945–1946shore establishment
TravemundeHMS Royal Carolineshore establishment
WilhelmshavenHQ HMS Royal RupertNaval Officer in Charge, Wilhelmshaven1945–1950shore establishment

References

  1. Archives, The National. "Admiralty: Office of the British Naval Commander in Chief, Germany: Papers". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. London, England: The National Archives. Retrieved 22 October 2018. ADM 228
  2. Archives, The National. "Admiralty: Office of the British Naval Commander in Chief, Germany: Papers". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. London, England: The National Archives. Retrieved 22 October 2018. ADM 228
  3. Madsen, Chris (1998). The Royal Navy and German Naval Disarmament, 1942–1947. Cambridge, England: Psychology Press. p. 149. ISBN 9780714648231.
  4. Admiralty, Great Britain (July 1946). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London, England: HM Stationery Office. p. 1869.
  5. Archives, The National. "Admiralty: Office of the British Naval Commander in Chief, Germany: Papers". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. London, England: The National Archives. Retrieved 22 October 2018. ADM 228
  6. Navy List May 1951. p. 386
  7. Admiralty, Great Britain (July 1945). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London, England: HM Stationery Office. p. 2348.
  8. Admiralty, Great Britain (July 1946). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London, England: HM Stationery Office. p. 1868.
  9. Admiralty, Great Britain (October 1948). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London, England: HM Stationery Office. p. 1038.
  10. Admiralty, Great Britain (April 1956). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London, England: HM Stationery Office. p. 303.
  11. Admiralty, Great Britain (January 1958). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London, England: HM Stationery Office. p. 303.
  12. "HyperWar: London Gazette No. 38171". www.ibiblio.org. United States: University of South Carolina. 6 January 1948. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  13. "HyperWar: London Gazette No. 38171". www.ibiblio.org. United States: University of South Carolina. 6 January 1948. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  14. "HyperWar: London Gazette No. 38171". www.ibiblio.org. United States: University of South Carolina. 6 January 1948. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  15. Grehan, John; Mace, Martin (2014). "Prospects of Opening a North German Port: 30". Liberating Europe: D-Day to Victory in Europe 1944–1945. Barnsley, England: Pen and Sword. ISBN 9781473838277.
  16. Grehan and Mace 2014.
  17. Houterman, J.N. "Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939–1945 - R". www.unithistories.com. Houterman and Koppes. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  18. "HyperWar: London Gazette No. 38171". www.ibiblio.org. United States: University of South Carolina. 6 January 1948. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  19. "HyperWar: London Gazette No. 38171". www.ibiblio.org. United States: University of South Carolina. 6 January 1948. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  20. "HyperWar: London Gazette No. 38171". www.ibiblio.org. United States: University of South Carolina. 6 January 1948. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  21. Grehan and Mace 2014.
  22. Madsen, Chris (1998). The Royal Navy and German Naval Disarmament, 1942–1947. Cambridge, England: Psychology Press. p. 46. ISBN 9780714648231.
  23. House of Commons. "Naval Commands and Flag Officers (Hansard, 10 April 1946)". api.parliament.uk. London, United Kingdom: Hansard. Retrieved 22 October 2018. Vol 421 cc1897-9
  24. Mackie, Colin (October 2018). "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865: Flag Officer, Germany" (PDF). gulabin.com. C. Mackie. p. 162. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  25. Mackie p. 162
  26. Mackie p. 162
  27. Mackie p. 162
  28. Mackie p. 162
  29. Admiralty, Great Britain (May 1951). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London, England: HM Stationery Office. p. 386.
  30. Mackie p. 162
  31. Mackie p. 162
  32. Mackie p. 162
  33. Mackie p. 162
  34. Kindell, Don; Warlow, Lt Cdr Ben (October 1995). "Naval Party, Royal Navy, 1942–1991 by Ben Warlow". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  35. "BOAR Locations: Royal Navy Germany". www.baor-locations.org. The Baor Organisation. 5 October 2009. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  36. Hess, Sigurd (2001). "The Clandestine Operations of Hans Helmut Klose and the British Baltic Fishery Protection Service (BBFPS) 1949–1956". Journal of Intelligence History. LIT Verlag Münster. 1 (2): 169. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
  37. Archives, The National (6 June 1950). "Memorandum Number 192 of 1950. Royal Naval Rhine Flotilla: memorandum by the First Sea Lord". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. London, England: The National Archives. Retrieved 23 October 2018. DEFE 5/21/192
  38. Archives, The National (1954). "Reports of Proceedings: Royal Navy Rhine Squadron: autumn cruise including visit to Basle". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. London, England: The National Archives. Retrieved 23 October 2018. ADM 1/25565

Further reading

  • Chris Madsen, The Royal Navy and German Naval Disarmament, 1942–1947
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