Difference between revisions of "First Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)"

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The '''First Battle Cruiser Squadron''' was a squadron of battle cruisers in the British [[Royal Navy]] from 1913 to 1919. From 1915 to 1919 it formed part of the [[Battle Cruiser Fleet]], which was renamed Battle Cruiser Force in 1916.
 +
 +
==History==
 +
In January, 1913, the {{UK-CS|1}} was renamed the First Battle Cruiser Squadron by authority of M.11175/13, dated 31 January.<ref>Admiralty Weekly Order 49.&mdash;Nomenclature of Cruisers. {{TNA|ADM 182/4.}}</ref>
 +
 
==Vice-Admirals and Rear-Admirals Commanding==
 
==Vice-Admirals and Rear-Admirals Commanding==
 
Dates of appointment given:
 
Dates of appointment given:
−
 
+
<div name=fredbot:office0 otitle="Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Battle Cruiser Squadron" nat="UK">
−
*{{ViceRN}} (Acting) [[David Richard Beatty, First Earl Beatty|Sir David R. Beatty]], 1 March, 1913.<ref>''Supplement to the Monthly Navy List'' (September, 1914).  p. 4.</ref>
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{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Lewis Bayly|nick=Lewis Bayly|appt=late 1912<ref>This date could range from 23 November, 1912 to March, 1913.</ref>|end=1 March, 1913|precBy=Formation previously known as {{UK-CS|1}}|note=formation existed previously as {{UK-CS|1}}}}
−
*{{RearRN}} [[Osmond de Beauvoir Brock|Osmond de B. Brock]], 8 February, 1915.<ref>"Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11<sup><u>th</u></sup> November, 1918, and Which Have Now Ceased to Exist."  The National Archives.  ADM 6/461. ["Squadrons.']  p. 9.</ref>
+
{{Tenure|rank={{ViceRN}} (Acting)|name=David Richard Beatty, First Earl Beatty|nick=Sir David R. Beatty|appt=1 March, 1913{{NLSep14|p. 4}}|as=Vice-Admiral Commanding, First Battle Cruiser Squadron}}
−
*Rear-Admiral [[Richard Fortescue Phillimore|Richard F. Phillimore]], 1 December, 1916.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
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{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Osmond de Beauvoir Brock|nick=Osmond de B. Brock|appt=8 February, 1915{{UKCeased|f. 9}}|end=28 November, 1916<ref>Brock Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}} f. 49.</ref>}}
−
*Rear-Admiral [[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]], 14 March, 1918.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
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{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Richard Fortescue Phillimore|nick=Richard F. Phillimore|appt=1 December, 1916{{UKCeased|f. 9}}<ref>Phillimore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 29<sup><u>a</u></sup></ref>|end=14 March, 1918<ref>Phillimore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 29<sup><u>a</u></sup></ref>}}
 +
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Henry Francis Oliver|nick=Sir Henry F. Oliver|appt=14 March, 1918{{UKCeased|f. 9}}|succBy=Command Dispersed|end=28 February, 1919<ref>Oliver Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 319.</ref>}}
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</div name=fredbot:office0>
  
 
==Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Cruiser Squadron==
 
==Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Cruiser Squadron==
−
*Rear-Admiral [[Archibald Gordon Henry Wilson Moore|Sir A. Gordon H. W. Moore]], 4 November, 1914.<ref>Moore Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/42.  p. 64.</ref>
+
<div name=fredbot:office1 otitle="Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Cruiser Squadron" nat="UK">
 +
{{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Archibald Gordon Henry Wilson Moore|nick=Sir A. Gordon H. W. Moore|appt=4 November, 1914<ref>Moore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 64.</ref>|precBy=New Command|succBy=Command Abolished|end=29 November, 1914<ref>Moore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 64.</ref>}}
 +
</div name=fredbot:office1>
  
 
==Composition==
 
==Composition==
−
'''17 November, 1917''' at [[Second Battle of Heligoland Bight]]<ref>Newbolt.  ''Naval Operations''.  '''V'''.  pp. 168-169.</ref>
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===December, 1913===
−
*''Lion'' [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
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<ref>Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum.  [BRG 1/1]</ref><ref>Printed page "Fleets and Squadrons in Commission at Home and Abroad" in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum.  [BRG 1/1]</ref>
−
*''Princess Royal''
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*{{UK-Lion}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
−
*''Tiger''
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*{{UK-QueenMary}}
−
*''New Zealand''
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*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}
−
*''Repulse'' [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
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*{{UK-NewZealand}}
 +
 
 +
This roster would remain for a considerable time. 
 +
 
 +
===September, 1914===
 +
The roster is unchanged.  From at least this date, the Squadron was a component of Cruiser Force A, which also included the {{UK-BCS|2}} (which was also then-known as Cruiser Force K), and {{UK-CS|2}}, {{UK-CS|3}} and {{UK-CS|6}} as well as the {{UK-LCS|1}} and Cruiser Forces B and C, which were assortments of fifteen cruisers of various types.
 +
*{{UK-Lion}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
*{{UK-QueenMary}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}
 +
*{{UK-NewZealand}}
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation within Cruiser Force A would persist until November or December.{{SMNLOct14|p. 9.  No copy of November's Supplement has been consulted}}
 +
 
 +
===December, 1914===
 +
{{UK-Tiger}} has been added.{{SMNLDec14|p. 9}}
 +
*{{UK-Lion}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
*{{UK-QueenMary}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}
 +
*{{UK-NewZealand}}
 +
*{{UK-Tiger}}
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation within Cruiser Force A would last only one month.
 +
 
 +
===January, 1915===
 +
{{UK-NewZealand}} has been transferred to the {{UK-BCS|2}}.{{SMNLJan15|p. 9}}
 +
*{{UK-Lion}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
*{{UK-QueenMary}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}
 +
*{{UK-Tiger}}
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation within Cruiser Force A would last one or two months.{{SMNLMar15|p. 11.  No Supplement for February has been found}}
 +
 
 +
===March, 1915===
 +
The [[Battle Cruiser Fleet]] has been instituted to replace Cruiser Force A, and {{UK-Lion}} has moved to be the Fleet flagship.{{SMNLMar15|p. 11}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
*{{UK-QueenMary}}
 +
*{{UK-Tiger}}
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation would last just one month.
 +
 
 +
===April, 1915===
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Still part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet, {{UK-Tiger}} has become flagship.{{SMNLApr15|p. 12}}
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*{{UK-Tiger}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}
 +
*{{UK-QueenMary}}
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation would last until July, 1915.{{SMNLMay15|p. 12}}{{SMNLJun15|p. 11}}
 +
 
 +
===July, 1915===
 +
Still part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet, {{UK-PrincessRoyal}} has again become flagship.{{SMNLJul15|p. 11}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
*{{UK-QueenMary}}
 +
* {{UK-Tiger}}
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation would last until June, 1916.{{SMNLAug15|p. 11}}{{SMNLSep15|p. 11}}{{SMNLOct15|p. 11}}{{SMNLNov15|p. 11}}{{SMNLDec15|p. 11}}{{SMNLJan16|p. 11}}{{SMNLFeb16|p. 11}}{{SMNLMar16|p. 11}}{{SMNLApr16|p. 11}}{{SMNLMay16|p. 11}}
 +
 
 +
===June, 1916===
 +
Still part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet.  The loss of {{UK-QueenMary}} at the [[Battle of Jutland]] has prompted {{UK-NewZealand}} to be transferred in from the {{UK-BCS|2}}.{{SMNLJul15|p. 11}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
* {{UK-Tiger}}
 +
*{{UK-NewZealand}}
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation would last until September, 1916.{{SMNLJul16|p. 11}}{{SMNLAug16|p. 11}}{{SMNLAug16|p. 11}}
 +
 
 +
===September, 1916===
 +
Part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet.  {{UK-Repulse}} was added, though she did not join until December.{{SMNLSep16|p. 11}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
* {{UK-Tiger}}
 +
*{{UK-NewZealand}}
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*{{UK-Repulse}} (joined in December, 1916)
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation would last until November, 1916.{{SMNLOct16|p. 11}}
 +
 
 +
===November, 1916===
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Part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet.  {{UK-Renown}} was added this month, though she would not join until X.{{SMNLSep16|p. 11}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
* {{UK-Tiger}}
 +
*{{UK-NewZealand}}
 +
*{{UK-Repulse}} (added in September, but not joined until December)
 +
*{{UK-Renown}} (joined in X)
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation would last only one month.
 +
 
 +
===December, 1916===
 +
Part of the [[Battle Cruiser Force]], the less-autonomous-sounding successor to the Battle Cruiser Fleet.  {{UK-NewZealand}} has been sent to be flagship of {{UK-BCS|2}}.{{SMNLDec16|p. 11}}
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
* {{UK-Tiger}}
 +
*{{UK-Repulse}}
 +
*{{UK-Renown}} (joined in X)
 +
 
 +
This roster would last until February or March, 1917.{{SMNLJan17|p. 11.  No Supplement for February was found}}
 +
 
 +
===March, 1917===
 +
Part of the [[Battle Cruiser Force]].  {{UK-Renown}} has joined and was made flagship on 10 January, 1917 and then {{UK-Repulse}} took over this role on 29 January.<ref>Phillimore Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 29<sup><u>a</u></sup></ref>{{SMNLMar17|p. 11}}
 +
 
 +
*{{UK-Repulse}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}} 
 +
* {{UK-Tiger}}
 +
*{{UK-Renown}}
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation would last until December, 1918.{{SMNLApr17|p. 11 and Supplements through November 1918, excepting September and October 1918 which were not found}}
 +
 
 +
===December, 1918===
 +
Part of the [[Battle Cruiser Force]].  {{UK-Renown}} has been made flagship, as {{UK-Repulse}} is soon to be paid off.{{SMNLDec18|p. 11}}
 +
*{{UK-Renown}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] (may not have been a flagship in March, 1919)
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}} 
 +
* {{UK-Tiger}}
 +
*{{UK-Repulse}} (paid off in January through X, 1919)
 +
 
 +
This roster and affiliation would last until May, 1919.{{SMNLDec18|p. 11 and Supplements through May 1919}}
 +
 
 +
===May, 1919===
 +
The Squadron has been abolished, or perhaps more accurately converted into the single {{UK-BCS}} (by adding in {{UK-Lion}} as flagship) deemed sufficient to meet post-war needs.{{SMNLMay19|p. 10}}
 +
 
 +
==Battles==
 +
 
 +
===Second Battle of Heligoland Bight===
 +
The Squadron fought with the Battle Cruiser Force flagship and light forces.{{UKNavalOpsV|pp. 168-169}}
 +
*{{UK-Lion}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
 +
*{{UK-PrincessRoyal}}
 +
*{{UK-Tiger}}
 +
*{{UK-NewZealand}}
 +
*{{UK-Repulse}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
  
 
:Screened by:
 
:Screened by:
−
:*''Champion''
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:*{{UK-Champion|f=t}}
−
:*''Verdun''
+
:*{{UK-Verdun}}
−
:*''Telemachus''
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:*{{UK-Telemachus}}
−
:*''Oriana''
+
:*{{UK-Oriana}}
−
:*''Nepean''
+
:*{{UK-Nepean}}
−
:*''Obdurate''
+
:*{{UK-Obdurate}}
−
:*''Tristram''
+
:*{{UK-Tristram}}
−
:*''Petard''
+
:*{{UK-Petard}}
−
:*''Tower''
+
:*{{UK-Tower}}
  
 
==Footnotes==
 
==Footnotes==
Line 34: Line 165:
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
−
*{{BibNewboltNOV}}
+
*{{UKNavalOpsI}}
 +
*{{UKNavalOpsV}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
−
[[Category:Formations|1]]
+
{{RNBattleCruiserSquadrons|sort=1}}
−
[[Category:Royal Navy Battle Cruiser Squadrons|1]]
 

Latest revision as of 16:59, 29 April 2024

The First Battle Cruiser Squadron was a squadron of battle cruisers in the British Royal Navy from 1913 to 1919. From 1915 to 1919 it formed part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet, which was renamed Battle Cruiser Force in 1916.

History

In January, 1913, the First Cruiser Squadron was renamed the First Battle Cruiser Squadron by authority of M.11175/13, dated 31 January.[1]

Vice-Admirals and Rear-Admirals Commanding

Dates of appointment given:

Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Cruiser Squadron

Composition

December, 1913

[13][14]

This roster would remain for a considerable time.

September, 1914

The roster is unchanged. From at least this date, the Squadron was a component of Cruiser Force A, which also included the Second Battle Cruiser Squadron (which was also then-known as Cruiser Force K), and Second Cruiser Squadron, Third Cruiser Squadron and Sixth Cruiser Squadron as well as the First Light Cruiser Squadron and Cruiser Forces B and C, which were assortments of fifteen cruisers of various types.

This roster and affiliation within Cruiser Force A would persist until November or December.[15]

December, 1914

Tiger has been added.[16]

This roster and affiliation within Cruiser Force A would last only one month.

January, 1915

New Zealand has been transferred to the Second Battle Cruiser Squadron.[17]

This roster and affiliation within Cruiser Force A would last one or two months.[18]

March, 1915

The Battle Cruiser Fleet has been instituted to replace Cruiser Force A, and Lion has moved to be the Fleet flagship.[19]

This roster and affiliation would last just one month.

April, 1915

Still part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet, Tiger has become flagship.[20]

This roster and affiliation would last until July, 1915.[21][22]

July, 1915

Still part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet, Princess Royal has again become flagship.[23]

This roster and affiliation would last until June, 1916.[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]

June, 1916

Still part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet. The loss of Queen Mary at the Battle of Jutland has prompted New Zealand to be transferred in from the Second Battle Cruiser Squadron.[34]

This roster and affiliation would last until September, 1916.[35][36][37]

September, 1916

Part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet. Repulse was added, though she did not join until December.[38]

This roster and affiliation would last until November, 1916.[39]

November, 1916

Part of the Battle Cruiser Fleet. Renown was added this month, though she would not join until X.[40]

This roster and affiliation would last only one month.

December, 1916

Part of the Battle Cruiser Force, the less-autonomous-sounding successor to the Battle Cruiser Fleet. New Zealand has been sent to be flagship of Second Battle Cruiser Squadron.[41]

This roster would last until February or March, 1917.[42]

March, 1917

Part of the Battle Cruiser Force. Renown has joined and was made flagship on 10 January, 1917 and then Repulse took over this role on 29 January.[43][44]

This roster and affiliation would last until December, 1918.[45]

December, 1918

Part of the Battle Cruiser Force. Renown has been made flagship, as Repulse is soon to be paid off.[46]

This roster and affiliation would last until May, 1919.[47]

May, 1919

The Squadron has been abolished, or perhaps more accurately converted into the single Battle Cruiser Squadron (by adding in Lion as flagship) deemed sufficient to meet post-war needs.[48]

Battles

Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

The Squadron fought with the Battle Cruiser Force flagship and light forces.[49]

Screened by:

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Admiralty Weekly Order 49.—Nomenclature of Cruisers. The National Archives. ADM 182/4.
  2. ↑ This date could range from 23 November, 1912 to March, 1913.
  3. ↑ The Navy List. (September, 1914). p. 4.
  4. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 9.
  5. ↑ Brock Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 49.
  6. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 9.
  7. ↑ Phillimore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29a
  8. ↑ Phillimore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29a
  9. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 9.
  10. ↑ Oliver Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 319.
  11. ↑ Moore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64.
  12. ↑ Moore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64.
  13. ↑ Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  14. ↑ Printed page "Fleets and Squadrons in Commission at Home and Abroad" in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  15. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 9. No copy of November's Supplement has been consulted.
  16. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 9.
  17. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 9.
  18. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 11. No Supplement for February has been found.
  19. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 11.
  20. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 12.
  21. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1915). p. 12.
  22. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 11.
  23. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 11.
  24. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1915). p. 11.
  25. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1915). p. 11.
  26. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 11.
  27. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1915). p. 11.
  28. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 11.
  29. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 11.
  30. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 11.
  31. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 11.
  32. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1916). p. 11.
  33. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1916). p. 11.
  34. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1915). p. 11.
  35. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 11.
  36. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 11.
  37. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 11.
  38. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 11.
  39. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (October, 1916). p. 11.
  40. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September, 1916). p. 11.
  41. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 11.
  42. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 11. No Supplement for February was found.
  43. ↑ Phillimore Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29a
  44. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1917). p. 11.
  45. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1917). p. 11 and Supplements through November 1918, excepting September and October 1918 which were not found.
  46. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 11.
  47. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 11 and Supplements through May 1919.
  48. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (May, 1919). p. 10.
  49. ↑ Naval Operations. Vol. V. pp. 168-169.

Bibliography


British Battle Cruiser Squadrons
First Battle Cruiser Squadron | Second Battle Cruiser Squadron | Third Battle Cruiser Squadron | Battle Cruiser Squadron
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