Black Sea and Caspian Squadron

The Black Sea and Caspian Squadron,[1] also known as the Black Sea and Marmora Force and the Black Sea and Marmora Division,[2] was a naval formation of the British Mediterranean Fleet from 1918 to 1919.

Black Sea and Caspian Squadron
Active1918-1919
CountryUnited Kingdom
AllegianceBritish Empire
BranchRoyal Navy
Part of
Garrison/HQHMS Emperor of India
EngagementsAllied intervention in the Russian Civil War

History

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On 19 December 1918 the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet instructed Rear-Admiral Michael Culme-Seymour, then commanding British Aegean Squadron, that he was to be re-assigned to a new command appointment. On 1 January he transferred his current command to Commodore Maurice Fitzmaurice and assumed authority for the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov and Sea of Marmora.[1] The squadron was involved in the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. In October 1919 Rear-Admiral Seymour was appointed Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Fleet, and the squadron was disbanded. The squadron's flagship was HMS Emperor of India.[3]

A component of the squadron was the British Caspian Flotilla.

Rear-Admirals, commanding

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Post holders included:

Rank Flag Name Term
Rear-Admiral Commanding, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Sea of Marmora
Rear-Admiral   Michael Culme-Seymour 1 January – October 1919[3]

Components

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As of December 1918 included:[4]

# units notes
3 Battleships
7 Cruisers
3 Sea Plane Carriers
7 Monitors
8 Destroyers from 5th Destroyer Flotilla
6 Sloops
1 British Caspian Flotilla

References

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  1. ^ a b Halpern, Paul (2016). The Mediterranean Fleet, 1919–1929. Cambridge: Routledge. p. 19. ISBN 9781317024163.
  2. ^ Harley, Simon; Lovell, Tony (5 September 2018). "H.M.S. Heliotrope (1915) - The Dreadnought Project". www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Harley and Lovell. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b Admiralty, Great Britain (October 1919). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London England: HM Stationery Office. p. 697.
  4. ^ Watson, Graham (27 October 2015). "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1914-1918: Mediterranean Fleet". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith. Retrieved 18 October 2018.

Sources

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  • Admiralty, Great Britain (October 1919). "Flag Officers in Commission". Navy List. London England: HM Stationery Office.
  • Halpern, Paul (2016). The Mediterranean Fleet, 1919–1929. Cambridge England: Routledge. ISBN 9781317024163.
  • Harley, Simon; Lovell, Tony (5 September 2018). "H.M.S. Heliotrope (1915) - The Dreadnought Project". www.dreadnoughtproject.org.
  • Watson, Dr Graham (2015). "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1914-1918: Mediterranean Fleet". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith.