The Admiralty Naval Staff was the former senior command, operational planning, policy and strategy department within the

British Admiralty The Admiralty was a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for the command of the Royal Navy until 1964, historically under its titular head, the Lord High Admiral – one of the Great Officers of State. For much of i ...

. It was established in 1917 and existed until 1964 when the department of the Admiralty was abolished. It was replaced by the Ministry of Defence (Naval Staff) as part of the Ministry of Defence Navy Department.

History and development

In December 1916 Admiral Sir John Jellicoe was appointed Admiral of the Fleet and

First Sea Lord The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1SL/CNS) is the military head of the Royal Navy and Naval Service of the United Kingdom. The First Sea Lord is usually the highest ranking and most senior admiral to serve in the British Armed Fo ...

he would oversee the expansion of the Naval Staff at the Admiralty and the introduction of convoys, In April, 1917 the

Admiralty War Staff The Admiralty War Staff was the former senior naval staff operational planning organisation within the British Admiralty that existed from 1912 to 1917. It was instituted on 8 January 1912 by Winston Churchill in his capacity as First Lord of t ...

function was abolished and replaced by a new Admiralty Naval Staff department and Jellicoe was also given the additional title of Chief of the Naval Staff he was assisted initially by two deputies, the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff and the

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (A.C.N.S.) is a senior appointment in the Royal Navy usually a two-star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-7. History The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff was originally directly responsible to the Fir ...

, these would be joined later by the

Deputy First Sea Lord The Deputy First Sea Lord (D.F.S.L.) was a senior Royal Navy flag officer on the Board of Admiralty of the Royal Navy. History Vice-Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty as Second Sea Lord on 6 September ...

and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Jellicoe was relieved at the end of 1917. Changes in the structure of the Staff were implemented from 1918 onward during the

interwar period In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days), the end of the First World War to the beginning of the Second World War. The interwar period was relative ...

some of the divisions were wound down in peace time but would be re-established with the advent of the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

. After the war the divisions were once again downsized.

Duties

The term 'Naval Staff' does not mean all Naval Officers serving in the former Admiralty Department, it means the divisions that are responsible under the ''Office of the Chief of Naval Staff'' and including his deputy, vice and assistant chiefs of the staff for the formulation of naval strategy including strategic planning, conduct of operations, implementation of naval policy, application of tactical doctrines, the collection and dissemination of intelligence and for stating the broad naval requirements, including the quantities and specification of ships, naval aircraft, armament and equipment the Naval Staff also included some civilian members.

Admiralty departments

The admiralty divisions should be not confused with its departments which were distinct and separate from the function of the naval staff in that they were superintended by the offices of the various Sea Lords responsible for them and were primarily administrative and logistical support bodies.

Members of the naval staff

''Board of Admiralty member (*)'' *

First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1SL/CNS) is the military head of the Royal Navy and Naval Service of the United Kingdom. The First Sea Lord is usually the highest ranking and most senior admiral to serve in the British Armed Fo ...

* *

* * Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff * * Vice Chief of the Naval Staff * *

* *

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air) The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air) was a senior British Royal Navy appointment. The post holder was part of the Admiralty Naval Staff and member of the Board of Admiralty from 1941 to 1946. History The post was created in January 1943 a ...

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Foreign) The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Foreign) was a senior British Royal Navy appointment. The post holder was part of the Admiralty Naval Staff and member of the Board of Admiralty from 1940 to 1945. History Established in December 1940 as a ...

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Home) The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Home) was a senior British Royal Navy appointment. The post holder was part of the Admiralty Naval Staff and member of the Board of Admiralty from 1942 to 1945. History Established as a new position in 194 ...

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) was a senior British Royal Navy appointment. The post holder was part of the Admiralty Naval Staff and member of the Board of Admiralty from 1945 to 1946 and again from 1966 to 1968, History Th ...

Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (A.C.N.S.) is a senior appointment in the Royal Navy usually a two-star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-7. History The Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff was originally directly responsible to the Fir ...

* Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Submarines) *

* Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Warfare) * Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (U boat and Trade) * Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Weapons)

Structure of the naval staff

May 1917

The Naval Staff was organised by Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Jellicoe as follows: *

First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1SL/CNS) is the military head of the Royal Navy and Naval Service of the United Kingdom. The First Sea Lord is usually the highest ranking and most senior admiral to serve in the British Armed Fo ...

** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff *** Intelligence Division *** Mobilisation Division *** Operations Division *** Signal Division **

*** Anti-Submarine Division *** Convoy Section *** Minesweeping Division *** Trade Division

June 1917

The Naval Staff was organised as follows: *

** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff *** Intelligence Division *** Mobilisation Division *** Operations Division *** Signal Division **

*** Anti-Submarine Division *** Minesweeping Division *** Trade Division

December 1917

The Naval Staff was organised as follows: *

** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff *** Operations Division *** Plans Division *** Signal Division **

*** Anti-Submarine Division *** Mercantile Movements Division *** Minesweeping Division *** Mobilisation Division *** Trade Division **

***

Training Division This list of United States Army divisions is divided into three eras: 1911–1917, 1917–1941, and 1941–present. These eras represent the major evolutions of army division structure (there have been several minor changes during these times). T ...

1918 to 1919

The Naval Staff was re-organised under Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rosslyn Wemyss as follows: *

*** Intelligence Division *** Gunnery and Torpedo Division *** Training and Staff Duties Division ** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Home Waters Operations) ***

Air Division An air division is an air force or naval air formation that is roughly equivalent to an army division. An air division is usually commanded by a major general and it is composed of multiple wings, groups, air brigades, or equivalently-sized air for ...

*** Operations Division (Home) *** Plans Division *** Signal Division **

(Trade Protection Operations) *** Anti-Submarine Division *** Mercantile Movements Division *** Minesweeping Division *** Trade Division **

(Policy and Overseas Operations) *** Operations Division (Foreign)

1920

The Naval Staff was re-organised under Admiral of the Fleet Sir David Beatty, as follows: *

** Intelligence Division ** Gunnery and Torpedo Division ** Training and Staff Duties Division ** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Home Waters) ***

*** Operations Division (Home) *** Plans Division *** Local Defence Division **

(Trade Protection) *** Anti-Submarine Division *** Mercantile Movements Division *** Minesweeping Division *** Trade Division **

(Policy and Overseas) *** Operations Division (Foreign)

1921 to 1926

The Naval Staff was re-organised during the early

inter-war years In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days), the end of the First World War to the beginning of the Second World War. The interwar period was relative ...

, and the post ''Deputy First Sea Lord'' is abolished: *

** Intelligence Division ** Gunnery Division ** Torpedo Division ** Training and Staff Duties Division ** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff *** Communications Division *** Operations Division *** Plans Division **

***

*** Trade Division *** Local Defence Division

1927 to 1929

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Madden re-structured the Naval Staff as follows: *

** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff *** Intelligence Division *** Operations Division *** Plans Division (including local defence) *** Trade Division **

***

*** Gunnery Division *** Tactical Division *** Torpedo Division *** Training and Staff Duties Division

1932

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Field organised the Naval Staff as follows: *

** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) ***

*** Intelligence Division *** Operations Division *** Plans Division *** Tactical Division *** Trade Division *** Training and Staff Duties Division

1935

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Ernle Chatfield kept the Naval Staff as follows: *

** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) ***

****

**** Intelligence Division **** Operations Division **** Plans Division **** Tactical Division **** Trade Division **** Training and Staff Duties Division

1941

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound re-organised, the Naval Staff as follows: *

** Vice Chief of the Naval Staff *** Intelligence Division *** Plans Division *** Signals Division ***

**** Anti-Submarine and Warfare Division **** Local Defence Division **** Operations Division (Home) **** Operations Division (Mining) **** Training and Staff Duties Division ***

**** Gunnery Division (Foreign) **** Operations Division (Foreign) **** Economic Warfare Division *** Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (U boat and Trade) **** Minesweeping Division **** Trade Division

1945

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunninghamre-organised the Naval Staff, as follows: *

(Policy) *** Vice Chief of the Naval Staff **** Intelligence Division **** Plans Division **** Plans Division (Q) **** Signals Division ****

***** Anti-U Boat Division ***** Local Defence Division ***** Operations Division (Home) ***** Operations Division (Mining) ***** Training and Staff Duties Division ****

***** Operations Division (Foreign) ***** Economic Warfare Division **** Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Weapons) ***** Gunnery Division **** Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (U Boat and Trade) ***** Minesweeping Division ***** Trade Division

1951

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Bruce Fraser re-organised the Naval Staff, as follows: *

** Vice Chief of the Naval Staff *** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff ****

***** Naval Air Organisation and Training Division ***** Intelligence Division ***** Operations Division ***** Plans Division ***** Plans Division (Q) ***** Standardisation Division ***** Tactical and Staff Duties Division ***** Trade Division **** Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Warfare ***** Gunnery and Anti-Aircraft Warfare Division ***** Naval Air Warfare Division ***** Torpedo, Anti-Submarine and Minewarfare Division

1956

Admiral of the Fleet Earl, Louis Mountbatten, re-organised the Naval Staff, as follows: *

** Vice Chief of the Naval Staff *** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff ****

***** Administrative Planning Department ***** Naval Air Organisation and Training Division ***** Naval Intelligence Division ***** Operations Division ***** Plans Division **** Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Warfare ***** Gunnery Division ***** Naval Air Warfare Division ***** Signal Division ***** Tactical Ship Requirements and Staff Duties Division ***** Trade Division ***** Under-surface Warfare Division

1958

Admiral of the Fleet Earl, Louis Mountbatten, re-organised the Naval Staff, as follows: *

** Vice Chief of the Naval Staff *** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff ****

***** Administrative Planning Department ***** Naval Air Organisation and Training Division ***** Naval Intelligence Division ***** Operations Division ***** Plans Division **** Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Warfare ***** Navigation and Direction Division ***** Signal Division ***** Tactical Ship Requirements and Staff Duties Division ***** Trade Division ***** Under-surface Warfare Division

1962

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Caspar John, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff re-organised the Naval Staff, as follows: *

** Vice Chief of the Naval Staff *** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff ****

***** Administrative Planning Division ***** Naval Intelligence Division ***** Plans Division ***** Tactical and Weapons Policy Division **** Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, Warfare ***** Gunnery Division ***** Naval Air Division ***** Navigation and Direction Division ***** Signal Division ***** Trade and Operations Division ***** Under-surface Warfare Division

1964

Admiral Sir David Luce as ''First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff'' organised the Naval Staff in July 1964 as follows: *

** Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff ***

***** Gunnery Division ***** Naval Air Division ***** Navigation and Direction Division ***** Plans Division ***** Signal Division ***** Tactical and Weapons Policy Division ***** Trade and Operations Division ***** Under-surface Warfare Division

Post 1964

Following the merger within the Ministry of Defence until 1971 former naval staff divisions were renamed as directorates as well as new ones being established for specific purposes some other notable changes during this period included the commandant general, and the hydrographer of the navy now as part of the naval staff as follows: #

Defence Intelligence Defence Intelligence (DI) is an organisation within the United Kingdom intelligence community which focuses on gathering and analysing military intelligence. It differs from the UK's intelligence agencies (MI6, GCHQ and MI5) in that it is an ...

– (former naval intelligence division) # Directorate of Naval Plans – (former plans division) # Directorate of Defence Plans (Navy) – (new directorate as part of MOD) # Directorate of Naval Administrative Planning – (former administrative planning division) # Directorate of Naval Air Warfare – (former naval air division) # Directorate of Naval Operations and Trade – (former operations and trade division) # Directorate of Naval Signals – (former signals division) # Directorate of Naval Tactical and Weapons Policy – (former tactical and weapons policy division) # Directorate of Operational Analysis (RN) – (new directorate) # Directorate of Surface Warfare (Naval) – (new directorate) # Directorate of Under Sea Warfare (Naval) – (former under sea warfare division) # Directorate of Navigation and Tactical Control (Naval) – (former navigation and direction division)

References

Attribution

Primary source for this article is by Harley Simon, Lovell Tony, (2014), Naval Staff (Royal Navy), dreadnoughtproject.org, http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org.

Sources

*Black, Nicholas (2009). ''The British Naval Staff in the First World War''. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press. . *"''Proposals by Director of Naval Intelligence for carrying out the Duties of a General Staff and Re-organisation of the Naval Intelligence Department''." 15 May 1909. The National Archives. ADM 1/8047. *''Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division'' (1929). ''The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. Its Work and Development''. B.R. 1845 (late C.B. 3013). Copy at The National Archives. ADM 234/434 * Rodger. N.A.M., (1979) ''The Admiralty (offices of state)'', T. Dalton, Lavenham, . * Smith, Gordon (2014), ''British Admiralty, Part 2 - Changes in Admiralty Departments 1913-1920'', Naval-History.Net. * Stationery Office, H.M. (1935). The Navy List. Sprink and Sons Ltd, London, England. pp. 414–415. * Stationery Office, H.M. (1951). The Navy List. Spink and Son Ltd, London, England. pp. 326–327. * Stationery Office, H.M. (1956). The Navy List. Spink and Son Ltd, London, England. pp. 1239–1241. * Stationery Office, H.M. (1958). The Navy List. Spink and Son Ltd, London, England. pp. 1227–1229. * Stationery Office, H.M. (1962). The Navy List. Spink and Son Ltd, London, England. pp. 906–908.

External links

{{Naval Service (British), state=collapsed Admiralty during World War II Admiralty departments A 1917 establishments in the United Kingdom 1964 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Staff (military)

History and development

Duties

Admiralty departments

Members of the naval staff

Structure of the naval staff

May 1917

June 1917

December 1917

1918 to 1919

1920

1921 to 1926

1927 to 1929

1932

1935

1941

1945

1951

1956

1958

1962

1964

Post 1964

See also

References

Attribution

Sources

External links