Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)
The Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron was a formation of light cruisers created in June or July, 1917, initially to assist the Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron in screening the British Battle Fleet.
History and Composition
July, 1917
The Squadron has a strength of five light cruisers (although Caradoc is only to join "shortly") and is to screen the Battle Fleet. This arrangement would last until at X, though the formation would move to screen the Battle Cruiser Force in August 1917.[1]
August, 1917
The formation is now tasked with screening the Battle Cruiser Force, joining three other squadrons in this mission. Caradoc has apparently arrived. This arrangement would last until some time in November, 1918. One small detail is that in December 1917, only, Calypso is noted as being a 2nd-in-command flagship. This quirk may itself be an editorial error, as it appears from Thesiger's Service Record that he, captain of Calypso, was second in command of the formation through the end of the war.[2][3]
17 November, 1917 at the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight
Cassandra would miss the battle, but the following four light cruisers fought:[4]
The cruisers, in turn, were screened by:
- Valentine (Flotilla leader)
- Vimiera
- Vanquisher
- Vehement
December, 1918
The Squadron is screening the Battle Cruiser Force. Cassandra would be lost to a mine in the Gulf of Finland on 5 December. This roster would apply until the formation was re-designated as the Third Light Cruiser Squadron in February or March 1919.[5]
Rear-Admirals Commanding
Dates of appointment given:
- Rear-Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair, 11 July, 1917[6] – 1 February, 1919
Seconds in Command
- Captain Bertram S. Thesiger, November, 1917[7] – September, 1919[8]
Footnotes
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 11 and following supplements.
- ↑ Thesiger Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/519. f. 472.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Vol. V. pp. 168-169.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 11 and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 6.
- ↑ Thesiger Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 472.
- ↑ Thesiger Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 472.
Bibliography
- Newbolt, Henry (1931). Naval Operations. Vol. V. London: Longmans, Green and Co..
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