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Royal Navy

Mediterranean Fleet
Levant / Eastern Mediterranean * 

C-in-C Mediterranean Fleet R.Adm. (D) Squadrons C-in-C Levant
Light Forces Aircraft Carriers Force H Aden
Alexandria Cyprian Ports Gibraltar Haifa
Ismailia Malta Mersa Matruh Port Said

 

* In the first half of 1943 the Mediterranean Fleet Command was split into a command of ships and a command of ports & naval bases:
Meditteranean Fleet C-in-C Med Fleet, 15th Cruiser Squadron, Cdre. (D)
Levant C-in-C Levant, Alexandria, Malta, Port Said, Haifa, Bizerta, Tripoli, Mersa Matruh, Benghazi, Aden, Bone, Bougie, Philippeville
Levant was renamed Eastern Mediterranean in late December 1943.

 

Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
HMS Warspite (battleship) (08.1939)
HMS St Angelo (base, Malta) (04.1940)
HMS Warspite (battleship) (02.1941)
HMS Nile (base, Alexandria) (08.1942) - (02.1943)
HMS Hannibal (base, Algiers/Taranto) (06.1943) - (06.1944)
01.06.1939 - (02.1941) [assumed command 06.06.1939]
Adm. Sir Andrew B. Cunningham, RN
22.04.1942 - (02.1943)
A/Adm. Sir Henry H. Harwood, RN
20.02.1943 - (08.1943)
Adm. of the Fleet Sir Andrew B. Cunningham, RN
15.10.1943 - (06.1944)
Adm. Sir John H.D. Cunningham, RN
Chief of Staff  
02.02.1939 - (02.1941)
Cdre. 1st cl. | R.Adm. A.U. Willis, RN
22.04.1942 - (08.1942)
R.Adm. J.H. Edelsten, RN
(02.1943) - (02.1943)
Cdre. 1st cl. J.G.L. Dundas, RN
20.02.1943 - (11.1943)
Cdre. 2nd cl. R.M. Dick, RN
11.1943 - (06.1944)
R.Adm. J.G.L. Dundas, RN
Additional Chief of Staff  
28.12.1943 - (06.1944)
Cdre. 2nd cl. E.B.K. Stevens, RN
Flag Captain  
01.05.1937 - (08.1939)
Capt. V.A.C. Crutchley, RN
? - (04.1940)
Capt. E.C. Denison, RN
? - (02.1941)
Capt. D.B. Fisher, RN
16.11.1942 - (02.1943)
A/Capt. C.H. Rolleston, RN (retd)
Flag Lieutenant  
06.06.1939 - (08.1939)
Lt. E.F.M. Seymour, RN
11.08.1939 - (04.1940)
Lt. W.A. Starkie, RN
11.12.1940 - (02.1941)
Lt. E.H. Lee, RN
22.04.1942 - (02.1943)
Lt. P.O.L. Milligan, RN
20.02.1943 - (04.1944)
A/Lt. R.C.M. Dampier, RNVR
(06.1944) - (06.1944)
A/Lt. S.G.S. Pawle, RNVR
Secretary  
01.06.1939 - (02.1941)
Paym.Capt. A.P. Shaw, RN
22.04.1942 - (02.1943)
Paym.Capt. V.G.H. Weekes, RN
20.02.1943 - (10.1943)
A/Paym.Capt. A.P. Shaw, RN
15.10.1943 - (06.1944)
A/Paym.Capt. J.A. Miller, RN

 
Vice-Admiral Commanding Light Forces
HMS Orion (02.1941)
Vice-Admiral Commanding Light Forces & Second-in-Command Mediterranean Fleet  
24.10.1940 - (02.1941)
V.Adm. H.D. Pridham-Wippell, RN 
Chief Staff Officer  
10.1940 - (02.1941)
Capt. G.R.B. Back, RN [and as Flag Captain]
Flag Lieutenant-Commander  
10.1940 - (02.1941)
Lt.Cdr. F.D. Miller, RN [and as Squadron (S) and W/T Officer]
Secretary  
24.10.1940 - (02.1941)
Paym.Cdr. H. Prevett, RN

 

Commodore / Rear-Admiral / Vice-Admiral (D)
HMS Galatea (08.1939)
HMS Woolwich (08.1942) - (10.1943)
Commodore / Rear-Admiral / Vice-Admiral (D) Commanding, Mediterranean Fleet Destroyer Flotillas  
05.03.1938 - (08.1939) [assumed command 04.04.1938]
V.Adm. J.C. Tovey, RN 
12.05.1941 - (08.1942)
R.Adm. I.G. Glennie, RN 
24.08.1942 - (10.1943) [assumed command 13.09.1942]
Cdre. 2nd cl. P. Todd, RN 
Chief Staff Officer  
01.06.1938 - (08.1939)
Capt. E.G.H. Bellars, RN [and Flag Captain]
13.04.1942 - (10.1943)
A/Capt. L.H. Bayley, RN (retd) [and Flag Captain]
Flag Lieutenant-Commander  
12.03.1938 - (08.1939)
Lt.Cdr. J.S.T. Inglis, RN
28.05.1942 - (08.1942)
Lt.Cdr. J.S.H. Lawrence, RN
(02.1943) - (10.1943)
Lt.Cdr. F.H. Dunlop, RN
Secretary  
05.03.1938 - (08.1939)
Paym.Lt.Cdr. R.W. Paffard, RN
12.05.1941 - (08.1942)
Paym.Cdr. H.G. Oswin, RN
11.1942 - (10.1943)
Paym.Lt. C.E. Smith, RN

 

Aircraft Carriers
HMS Illustrious (02.1941)
Rear-Admiral, Mediterranean Aircraft Carriers  
19.08.1940 - (02.1941)
R.Adm. A.L.St.G. Lyster, RN 
Chief Staff Officer  
19.08.1940 - (02.1941)
Capt. D.W. Boyd, RN [and as Flag Captain]
Flag Lieutenant-Commander  
08.1940 - (02.1941)
Lt.Cdr. N. de G. Waymouth, RN [and for Squadron (S) and W/T duties]
Secretary  
19.08.1940 - (02.1941)
Paym.Lt.Cdr. C.E.C. Tomkins, RN

 

Commander-in-Chief, Levant
HMS Nile (06.1943) - (12.1943)
05.06.1943 - (08.1943)
A/Adm. Sir John H.D. Cunningham, RN
14.10.1943 - (12.1943) [temporary]
V.Adm. Sir Algernon U. Willis, RN
Chief of Staff  
20.02.1943 - (12.1943)
Cdre. 1st cl. J.G.L. Dundas, RN
Additional Chief of Staff  
03.1943 - (12.1943)
Cdre. 1st cl. E.B.R. Stevens, RN
Flag Lieutenant  
08.05.1943 - (10.1943)
T/A/Lt. S.G.S. Pawle, RNVR
14.10.1943 - (12.1943)
T/A/Lt. O.A.A. Aisher, RNVR
Secretary  
22.04.1942 - (06.1943)
T/Paym.Capt. V.G.H. Weekes, RN
05.06.1943 - (10.1943)
A/Paym.Capt. J.A. Miller, RN
14.10.1943 - (12.1943)
A/Paym.Capt. H.S.P. Watch, RN
Flag Officer, Eastern Mediterranean
HMS Nile (04.1944) - (06.1944)
28.12.1943 - (06.1944)
V.Adm. H.B. Rawlings, RN [since 08.06.1944: Sir H. Bernard Rawlings]
Chief of Staff  
12.1943 - (06.1944)
Capt. L.N. Brownfield, RN
Secretary  
28.12.1943 - (06.1944)
A/Paym.Lt.Cdr. J.N. Rennie, RN

 
Force H
HMS Renown 10.08.1940 - (02.1941)
Flag Officer Commanding Force H  
28.06.1940 - (02.1941)
V.Adm. Sir J.F. Somerville, RN 
Chief Staff Officer  
10.08.1940 - (02.1941)
Capt. E.G. Jeffery, RN
Flag Lieutenant-Commander  
15.08.1940 - (02.1941)
Lt.Cdr. J.R.B. Longden, RN [and for Squadron (S) and W/T duties]
Secretary  
10.08.1940 - (02.1941)
Paym.Cdr. W.J. Farrell, RN

 

Alexandria
HMS Nile (borne in HMS Maidstone II) (08.1942) - (12.1943)
Rear-Admiral, Alexandria  
01.11.1939 - (02.)1941
R.Adm. F. Elliott, RN (retd)
05.02.1941 - (08.1942)
A/R.Adm. G.H. Creswell, RN
01.11.1942 - (12.1943)
R.Adm. A. Poland, RN (retd)
Chief Staff Officer  
25.01.1940 - 01.1941
A/Capt. R.D. Binney, RN (retd)
12.01.1941 - (08.1942)
Capt. B.C.B. Brooke, RN
16.11.1942 - (10.1943)
A/Capt. C.H. Rolleston, RN (retd) [and Flag Captain]
10.1943 - (12.1943)
Capt. St.J. Cronyn, RN
Flag Lieutenant-Commander  
25.04.1942 - (08.1942)
Lt. (Sp.Br.) Sir Thomas E.P. Blomefield, Bt, RNVR
11.1942 - (06.1943)
A/Lt. P.T. Collingwood, RNVR
06.1943 - (12.1943)
Lt. V.H. Smith, RNVR
Secretary  
24.04.1939 - (08.1942)
Paym.Cdr. H.C. Lockyer, RN
01.11.1942 - (12.1943)
Paym.Lt.Cdr. C.H.A. Harper, RN
 
HMS Nile (08.1942) - (12.1943)
Captain Superintendent, Alexandria  
14.08.1940 - (1942)
Capt. W.Y. La R. Beverley, RN
04.1942 - (12.1943)
Capt. C. Coppinger, RN (retd)
 
HMS Martial (08.1943) - (12.1943)
Commander Levant Area  
06.1943 - (12.1943)
Cdre. 2nd cl. D. Young-Jameson, RN
Secretary  
26.07.1943 - (09.1943)
Paym.Lt. T.B. Homan, RN
09.1943 - (12.1943)
T/Paym.Lt. M.J.H. Collins, RN

 
Alexandria
HMS Canopus (08.1942)
Rear-Admiral, Training Establishment Meditteranean  
18.05.1942 - (08.1942)
R.Adm. R.J.R. Scott, RN (retd)
Chief Staff Officer  
06.1942 - (08.1942)
Capt. B.F. Adams, RN (retd) [and Flag Captain]
Secretary  
18.05.1942 - (08.1942)
Paym.Lt.Cdr. D.C. Woolf, RN

 
Malta
borne in HMS St. Angelo (08.1939) - (12.1943)
Vice-Admiral-in-Charge, Malta & Admiral Superintendent, Malta Dockyard / 
Flag Officer-in-Charge, Malta 		 
26.12.1936 - (02.1941) [assumed command 26.01.1937]
V.Adm. Sir W.T.R. Ford, RN 
01.01.1942 - (08.1942)
V.Adm. R. Leatham, RN 
01.12.1942 - (06.1943)
V.Adm. Sir Stuart S. Bonham-Carter, RN 
07.05.1943 - (08.1943)
A/V.Adm. A.J. Power, RN 
01.10.1943 - (12.1943)
A/V.Adm. L.H.K. Hamilton, RN 
Chief Staff Officer  
10.02.1939 - (04.1940)
Capt. E.C. Denison, RN [and Flag Captain]
07.1940 - (02.1941)
Capt. J.P. Wright, RN
10.03.1941 - (08.1942)
Capt. G.W. Wadham, RN
10.10.1942 - (02.1943)
Capt. C.S.B. Swinley, RN
04.1943 - (08.1943)
Capt. R.L.M. Edwards, RN
15.11.1943 - (12.1943)
Capt. T.A.C. Pakenham, RN
Flag Captain see also: Chief Staff Officer  
10.03.1942 - (12.1943)
A/Capt. J.G. Crossley, RN (retd)
Flag Lieutenant-Commander  
01.1937 - (02.1943)
Lt.Cdr. W.H.B. Wallace, RN
? - (12.1943)
Lt. H.W. Sheldrick, RNVR
Secretary  
01.1937 - (02.1941)
Paym.Cdr. R.H. Johnson, RN
15.12.1941 - (08.1942)
Paym.Cdr. N.Y. Clay, RN
01.12.1942 - (08.1943)
Paym.Cdr. C.G. Neeves, RN
(10.1943) - (12.1943)
Paym.Lt.Cdr. A.L. Tapper, RN
Secretary (Dockyard)  
12.05.1937 - (12.1943)
E.W. Colvill (civ)

 
Gibraltar
HMS Cormorant (08.1939)
Rear-Admiral-in-Charge, Gibraltar & Admiral Superintendent, Gibraltar Dockyard  
28.04.1939 - (08.)1939 [assumed command 24.05.1939]
R.Adm. N.A. Wodehouse, RN 
01.11.1939 - (04.1940)
V.Adm. Sir D.B.N. North, RN 
Chief Staff Officer  
06.05.1938 - (08.1939)
Capt. G.R.S. Watkins, RN [and Flag Captain]
13.10.1939 - (04.1940)
Capt. R.G. Duke, RN
Flag Lieutenant-Commander  
06.10.1938 - (04.1940)
Lt.Cdr. E.H. Kitson, RN
Secretary  
28.04.1939 - (04.1940)
Paym.Lt.Cdr. J.E.D. Smith, RN
Secretary (Dockyard)  
04.1936 - (04.1940)
A.N. Deane (civ)

 
Taranto
HMS Hannibal (10.1943) - (12.1943)
Flag Officer, Taranto Area  
13.09.1943 - (10.1943)
R.Adm. A.M. Peters, RN 
15.11.1943 - (12.1943)
R.Adm. R.R. McGrigor, RN 

 
Western Italy
HMS Hasdrubal (10.1943) - (12.1943)
Flag Officer, Western Italy  
30.09.1943 - (12.1943)
R.Adm. J.A.V. Morse, RN 
Chief Staff Officer  
28.08.1943 - (12.1943)
Capt. R.J. Shaw, RN
Secretary  
25.11.1943 - (12.1943)
A/Paym.Lt.Cdr. M.K. Overend, RN

 
Naples
HMS Hannibal (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Naples  
11.1943 - (12.1943)
A/Capt. R.E.F.McQ. Mackenzie, RN 
Chief Staff Officer  
11.1943 - (12.1943)
A/Cdr. H.C. Cumberbatch, RN

 
Port Said
HMS St. Angelo (08.1939)
HMS Stag (08.1942) - (12.1943)
Naval Liaison Officer, Port Said  
23.05.1933 - (08.1939)
Cdr. H.A. Simpson, RN (retd)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Port Said  
06.02.1940 - (1942)
Capt. W.B. Hynes, RN (retd)
20.03.1942 - (08.1942)
Capt. H.L.I. Kirkpatrick, RN (retd)
12.1942 - (12.1943)
Capt. E.H. Wace, RN (retd)
Secretary  
? - (1942)
Paym.Cdr. T.P.G. Bennett, RN
18.05.1942 - (12.1943)
A/Paym.Lt.Cdr. R.H. Cass, RNVR

Ismailia
HMS Stag 06.02.1940 - (02.1941)
Senior British Naval Officer, Suez Canal Area  
14.12.1939 - (02.1941) [assumed command 07.01.1940]
V.Adm. Sir J.M. Pipon, RN
Chief Staff Officer  
06.02.1940 - (02.1941)
A/Capt. H.A. Simpson, RN (retd)
Secretary  
06.02.1940 - (02.1941)
Paym.Cdr. G.W. Best, RN

 
Haifa
HMS Stag (08.1942) - (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Palestinian Ports  
06.02.1940 - (12.1943)
Capt. G.O. Lydekker, RN (retd)
Secretary  
06.02.1940 - (1942)
Paym.Lt. J. Hopkins, RN
03.04.1942 - (12.1943)
Paym.Midsh. G.C. David, RN

 
Algiers / Algeria
HMS Hannibal (06.1943) - (12.1943)
Commodore, Algiers / Algeria  
25.12.1942 - (08.1943)
Cdre. 1st cl. J.A.V. Morse, RN
28.08.1943 - (12.1943)
Cdre. 2nd cl. F.E.P. Hutton, RN (retd)
Chief Staff Officer  
01.01.1943 - (08.1943)
Capt. R.J. Shaw, RN
28.08.1943 - (12.1943)
A/Cdr. D.W. Graham, RN
Secretary  
01.01.1943 - (12.1943)
Paym.Lt.Cdr. B.L. Jenkins, RNVR

 
Bizerta
HMS Hasdrubal (06.1943) - (12.1943)
Flag Officer-in-Charge, Bizerta / Tunisia  
12.05.1943 - (12.1943)
Adm. Sir Gerald C. Dickens, RN (retd)
Chief Staff Officer  
07.1943 - (12.1943)
Capt. C. Wauchope, RN
Secretary  
08.1943 - (12.1943)
Paym.Lt.Cdr. C.R. Rowe, RNVR

 
Tripoli
HMS Nile (06.1943) - (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Tripoli  
01.03.1943 - (12.1943)
A/Capt. H.F. Waight, RN (retd)

 
Mersa Matruh
HMS Nile (08.1942) - (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Mersa Matruh  
10.06.1941 - (12.1943)
Lt.Cdr. J.W. Best, RNR (retd)

 
Benghazi
HMS Nile (08.1942) - (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Benghazi  
17.02.1943 - 07.1943
A/Capt. J.O. Campbell, RN (retd)

 
Aden
HMS Sheba (08.1942) - (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Aden  
29.05.1942 - (12.1943)
Cdre. 2nd cl. C.A.A. Larcom, RN
Secretary  
18.05.1942 - (12.1943)
T/Paym.Lt. H.H.P. Joseph, RNVR

 
Bone
HMS Cannae (06.1943) - (08.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Bone  
11.01.1943 - (06.1943)
Capt. N.V. Dickinson, RN
(08.1943) - (08.1943)
Cdr. R.I. Money, RN (retd)
Secretary  
15.03.1943 - (08.1943)
T/Paym.Lt. J.V. Morris, RNVR

 
Bougie
HMS Byrsa (06.1943) - (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Bougie  
01.01.1943 - (07.1943)
A/Cdr. P.E. Vaux, RN (retd)
07.1943 - (12.1943)
Cdr. F. Metherell, RN (retd)
Secretary  
01.01.1943 - (12.1943)
Paym.Lt. E.D.B. Todd, RNVR

 
Phillippeville
HMS Elissa (06.1943) - (08.1943)
HMS Cannae (10.1943) - (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Phillippeville  
01.01.1943 - (08.1943)
Cdr. S.A. Brooks, RN (retd)
09.08.1943 - (10.1943)
A/Cdr. P.E. Vaux, RN (retd)
03.10.1943 - (12.1943)
A/Cdr. C.M. Evan-Thomas, RN (retd)
Secretary  
01.01.1943 - (12.1943)
Paym.Lt. B.J. Gurney, RNVR

 
 
HMS Nile (08.1942) - (12.1943)
Naval Officer-in-Charge, Cyprian Ports  
18.11.1941 - (12.1943)
Capt. M.H.S. Macdonald, RN (retd)

 

Squadrons

(08.1939) - (02.1941) 1st Battle Squadron
(08.1939) 1st Cruiser Squadron
(08.1939) - (02.1941) 3rd Cruiser Squadron
(08.1942) - (04.1944) 15th Cruiser Squadron