The Flag Officer Commanding, North Atlantic was an operational commander of the
Royal Navy between 1939 and 1943.[1] His subordinate units, establishments, and staff were charged with the administration of the RN Naval Base, Gibraltar and
North Atlantic geographic area.[2] The admiral commanding's post later became the
Flag Officer Gibraltar.
In December 1940 Admiral Sir
Dudley North became Rear Admiral-in-Charge, Gibraltar [later: Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic] & Admiral Superintendent HM Dockyard, Gibraltar.[4] The renamed Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic had responsibility for the sea lanes on either side of the
Straits of Gibraltar. The flag officer's mission was often unclear due to the operations of both
Force H and the
Western Approaches Command. Ambiguity of responsibility between Gibraltar and Force H led to confusion in the conduct of operations.[5]
The division of responsibility between Vice-Admiral Edward-Collins as Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic[7] "..and the Flag Officer Force H and the Commander in Chief Mediterranean was defined as follows:[8]
..F.O.C.N.A. was responsible for preventing the passage of Gibraltar Strait by all enemy vessels and by vessels of other nations as may be ordered by the Admiralty from time to time.
While Force H was based on Gibraltar, F.O.C.N.A. was to call on, Flag Officer, Force H for such assistance as be necessary. Except when directed to carry out specific tasks by the Admiralty.[9]
Edward-Collins was promoted to
admiral on 21 January 1943,[10] reappointed as Admiral, Gibraltar in continuation,[11] and retired on 7 February 1944.[10]
Forces based at Gibraltar during the war included:[5]
^Smith, Donald A. Bertke ; Don Kindell ; Gordon (2009). World War II sea war (1. ed.). Dayton, Ohio: Bertke Publ. p. 202.
ISBN9781937470012.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link)
The Flag Officer Commanding, North Atlantic was an operational commander of the
Royal Navy between 1939 and 1943.[1] His subordinate units, establishments, and staff were charged with the administration of the RN Naval Base, Gibraltar and
North Atlantic geographic area.[2] The admiral commanding's post later became the
Flag Officer Gibraltar.
In December 1940 Admiral Sir
Dudley North became Rear Admiral-in-Charge, Gibraltar [later: Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic] & Admiral Superintendent HM Dockyard, Gibraltar.[4] The renamed Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic had responsibility for the sea lanes on either side of the
Straits of Gibraltar. The flag officer's mission was often unclear due to the operations of both
Force H and the
Western Approaches Command. Ambiguity of responsibility between Gibraltar and Force H led to confusion in the conduct of operations.[5]
The division of responsibility between Vice-Admiral Edward-Collins as Flag Officer Commanding North Atlantic[7] "..and the Flag Officer Force H and the Commander in Chief Mediterranean was defined as follows:[8]
..F.O.C.N.A. was responsible for preventing the passage of Gibraltar Strait by all enemy vessels and by vessels of other nations as may be ordered by the Admiralty from time to time.
While Force H was based on Gibraltar, F.O.C.N.A. was to call on, Flag Officer, Force H for such assistance as be necessary. Except when directed to carry out specific tasks by the Admiralty.[9]
Edward-Collins was promoted to
admiral on 21 January 1943,[10] reappointed as Admiral, Gibraltar in continuation,[11] and retired on 7 February 1944.[10]
Forces based at Gibraltar during the war included:[5]
^Smith, Donald A. Bertke ; Don Kindell ; Gordon (2009). World War II sea war (1. ed.). Dayton, Ohio: Bertke Publ. p. 202.
ISBN9781937470012.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (
link)