View source for Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic

{{Short description|Former British Royal Navy Station}}
{{for|the United States Navy component|South Atlantic Squadron}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic
|image= File:HMS Bermuda.jpg
|caption= {{HMS|Bermuda|52|6}}, flagship of the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic in the early 1950s
|dates= 1914, 1939–1967
|country={{UK}}
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|branch={{navy|UK}}
|type= [[military formation]]
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|garrison=[[Freetown]], [[Naval Base Simon's Town|Simonstown]], and [[Port Stanley]]
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The '''Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic''' was an operational commander of the [[Royal Navy]] from 1939. The South American area was added to his responsibilities in 1960, and the post disestablished in 1967.

Immediately before the outbreak of the [[Second World War]], the designation of [[Commander-in-Chief, Africa (Royal Navy)|Commander-in-Chief, Africa]] was changed to Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic, '..and the [[Admiral]] transferred his flag from Simonstown to Freetown, Sierra Leone, and assumed general naval control over British movements in the whole of the [[South Atlantic Ocean]]. At the same time, the South American Division of the [[North America and West Indies Station|America and West Indies Station]], comprising the cruisers Exeter and Ajax, was transferred to the new South Atlantic Station.'<ref>The Royal New Zealand Navy, Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War, [http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Navy-c3.html Chapter 2: Outbreak of War: Cruise of HMS Achilles], Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, 1956 (hardcopy page 29).</ref> It was sometimes referred to as the '''South Atlantic Station'''.

==History==
The South Atlantic Station existed during and after the [[World War II|Second World War]] having been redesignated from the [[Commander-in-Chief, Africa (Royal Navy)|Commander-in-Chief, Africa]]. Its area of responsibility covered the [[Atlantic Ocean]] south of a line drawn between the northern [[French West Africa]]n (now [[Mauritania]]n) border and [[French Guiana]] and the [[Southern Ocean]] and [[Indian Ocean]] east of a line drawn south from the western entrance to the [[Magellan Strait]] and west of a line drawn south from the South African/ Mozambican border.<ref name=stations>{{Cite web|url=http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-3909-04RN.htm|title=Home Fleet, Mediterranean Fleet, China Station, September 1939|website=www.naval-history.net}}</ref> The South Atlantic Station had bases at [[Freetown]] and [[Naval Base Simon's Town|Simonstown]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.naval-history.net/xGW-RNOrganisation1939-45.htm|title=Africa Command / South Atlantic Command, 1939-1942|publisher=Naval History|access-date=3 November 2018}}</ref>

On 3 September 1939, Leo Niehorster's site lists the force as comprising the South American Division under Commodore [[Henry Harwood]] comprising {{HMS|Exeter|68|6}}, {{HMS|Ajax|22|6}}, and {{HMS|Cumberland|57|6}};<ref>The South American Division was also semi-affiliated to the Commander-in-Chief, [[America and West Indies Station]].</ref> the [[6th Cruiser Squadron]], comprising only {{HMS|Neptune|20|6}}, Vice Admiral George Lyon's flagship; the [[9th Cruiser Squadron]], with {{HMS|Despatch|D30|6}}, {{HMS|Danae|D44|6}}, {{HMS|Dauntless|D45|6}}, and {{HMS|Durban|D99|6}}; the seaplane carrier {{HMS|Albatross|1938|6}}, en route to Freetown from [[Lee-on-Solent]]; the [[7th Submarine Flotilla]], of two boats on their way from Gibraltar to Freetown; four destroyers, all at Freetown; six miscellaneous craft and two harbour vessels, all at Freetown; and the Gambia and Gold Coast Naval Volunteer Forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://niehorster.org/017_britain/39_navy/south-atlantic.html|title=South Atlantic Command, Royal Navy |publisher=Leo Niehorster|access-date=3 November 2018}}</ref>

On 2 October 1939, {{HMS|Achilles|70|6}}, then operating with the liner [[SS Orduña|''Orduna'']] north of [[Callao]] off the west coast of South America, was instructed that after fuelling from the fleet tanker {{ship|RFA|Orangeleaf|1917|6}}, she was to proceed south about to the South Atlantic. "The ''Achilles'' was to show herself at Chilean ports as considered desirable and refuel at the Falkland Islands. The passage was to be made with moderate despatch and on arrival the cruiser was to come under the orders of the [[Commander-in-Chief, Africa (Royal Navy)|Commander-in-Chief, Africa]]."<ref>The Royal New Zealand Navy, Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War, [http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Navy-c2.html Chapter 2: Outbreak of War: Cruise of HMS Achilles], Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, 1956.</ref> Thus ''Achilles'' arrived in the South Atlantic and joined Commodore Harwood's force, later to take part in the [[Battle of the River Plate]] against the ''Graf Spee''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-themes/world-war-two-by-themes/the-battle-of-the-river-plate/|title=Battle of the River Plate|publisher=Torpedo Bay Navy Museum|access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref>

In 1955, the new [[Simonstown Agreement]] on naval cooperation between the UK and the [[Union of South Africa]] was agreed after much discussion. It was planned to include:
* the combined use of Simonstown by the Royal Navy and South African Navy in peace and in war (even if South Africa were neutral in some non-Communist war, a most remote contingency), on the understanding that the base would also be available in war to the allies of the United Kingdom;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Du_Toit_-_Simon%27s_Town_Agreement.pdf |title= ADM 116/6027, Letter 32/54 from the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to the Prime Minister on Simon’s Town and Naval Cooperation with the Union of South Africa|date= 1 December 1954}}</ref>
* the gradual assumption of responsibility by the South African Navy for the operation and administration of the base for combined use;
* the assumption by South Africa of responsibility in war for the operational and administrative control of a local sub-area of a South Atlantic Strategic Zone; and
* that a Royal Navy officer would continue as Commander-in-Chief South Atlantic in peace, with headquarters and communications at the Cape, and that his designation in war would be Commander of the South Atlantic Strategic Zone.

{{HMS|Veryan Bay|K651|6}} arrived at Simon's Town on 19 November 1956. After a series of visits to East African ports, the ship was nominated for transfer to the Reserve. On 19 January 1957, she sailed for the UK, calling at [[Lobito]] in [[Angola (Portugal)|Portuguese West Africa]], [[Boma, Kongo Central|Boma]] in the [[Belgian Congo]], and sailed up the [[Congo River]] to [[Matadi]]. She then called at [[Libreville]] in [[French Equatorial Africa]], [[São Tomé Island]] in the [[Gulf of Guinea]], [[Lagos]], Nigeria, [[Monrovia]], Liberia, and [[Freetown]], Sierra Leone. At Freetown she wore the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic, Vice Admiral Sir Geoffrey Robson. ''Veryan Bay'' arrived at Plymouth on 11 March and was then paid-off.<ref name="VeryanBayK651">{{Cite web |url= http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-15Fr-Bay-VeryanBay.htm|title=HMS Veryan Bay, frigate |work=naval-history.net |last=Mason |first=Geoffrey B. |editor=Gordon Smith |date=2005 |access-date=9 December 2020}}</ref>

In April 1957, the Simonstown base was handed over to the [[Union of South Africa]] in accordance with the 1955 agreement.{{sfn|Hampshire|1975|p=140}} On 24 May 1957, {{HMS|Burghead Bay|K622|6}} was recommissioned for service in the [[7th Frigate Squadron (United Kingdom)|7th Frigate Squadron]] in the South Atlantic, sailing for [[Simon's Town]] in August.<ref name=Burghead>{{Cite web |url= http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-15Fr-Bay-HMS_Burghead_Bay.htm|title=HMS Burghead Bay, frigate |work=naval-history.net |last=Mason |first=Geoffrey B. |editor=Gordon Smith |date=2005 |access-date=9 December 2020}}</ref> She made calls in Brazil and Argentina, took part in squadron exercises in South Atlantic, and was also deployed in South African waters for joint exercises with the [[South African Navy]]. In early 1958, she visited ports in East Africa. In May she sailed for the Falklands for her third and final tour of duty as guard ship, departing in June and sailing to the UK via ports on west coast of South America, making calls in Chile and Peru before transiting the [[Panama Canal]], and finally arriving at Devonport in August where she was decommissioned, put into Reserve, and on the Disposal List.<ref name=Burghead /> During this commission, she was commanded by Commander [[Stanley McArdle]].<ref name=Burghead />

In 1960, the post of Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies, was abolished, with the incumbent, Vice-Admiral Sir [[John Eaton (Royal Navy officer)|John Eaton]], becoming the NATO Deputy [[Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic]] (SACLANT). The southern part of the former America & West Indies area was transferred to the South Atlantic, and that flag officer becoming Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic and South America (CINCSASA).{{sfn|Hampshire|1975|p=140}} At about that time, CINCSASA, "flying his flag ashore at Wynberg in [[Cape Province]],  had only two frigates and .. [[HMS Protector (A146)|HMS ''Protector'']] under his command, one of the frigates being permanently stationed in the West Indies."{{sfn|Hampshire|1975|p=206}}

The [[Leopard-class frigate]] {{HMS|Lynx|F27|2}} served as Vice Admiral Talbot's flagship in the 1960s. She was the last ship remaining on the station and returned home after April 1967 and the abolishing of the CINCSASA post.<ref>du Toit in Hore 2012, 204, as well as Cats and Cathedrals website.</ref> It was planned that the Commander-in-Chief was to haul down his flag on 11 April 1967 and to leave Cape Town the following day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/1967-02-09/debates/7b489142-37c1-4fa0-89d3-6958e5c559eb/RoyalNavy(SouthAfrica)|title=Royal Navy (South Africa) – Hansard|website=hansard.parliament.uk}}</ref> The station was abolished/absorbed into the [[Western Fleet (United Kingdom)|Western Fleet]] that year, when Western Fleet assumed responsibility for all ships "West of Suez".<ref>[https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/written-answers/1967/jun/05/royal-navy-command-system Royal Navy (Command System)] Hansard, 5 June 1967</ref>

After 11 April 1967, a Senior British Naval Officer South Africa with the rank of Commodore remained at ''Afrikander'' (at Youngsfield, a suburb just south of [[Cape Town]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnrs-scrn.org/northern_mariner/vol24/tnm_24_34_82-103.pdf|page=96|publisher=[[The National Archives]]|title=FCO 25/656 JS 10/10, "Withdrawal of the British Commander-in-Chief from South Africa."}}</ref> who quickly became responsible to Commander-in-Chief [[Western Fleet (United Kingdom)|Western Fleet]]. (Home Fleet was succeeded by Western Fleet on 5 June 1967.) By 1971, the post was at times filled by rear-admirals; Rear Admiral [[Nigel Cecil]] filled the post from 1971 to 1973.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2017/04/12/rear-admiral-sir-nigel-os-cecil-obituary/|title=Rear-Admiral Sir Nigel 'Os' Cecil – obituary|date=12 April 2017|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> Officers continued to be posted there until February 1976 when the post was disestablished and {{HMS|Afrikander}} closed.<ref>du Toit in Hore 2012, 210.</ref> Commodore A F C Wemyss OBE was the last incumbent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://noasa.co.za/index.php/bridge_watchkeeping_trophy|title=Bridge Watchkeeping Proficiency Trophy|website=noasa.co.za}}</ref>

==Commanders-in-Chief==
Commanders-in-Chief have included:

===Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic===
* Vice Admiral Sir [[George Hamilton D'Oyly Lyon|George Lyon]] (1939–1940)<ref name=stations/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Robert Raikes (Royal Navy officer)|Robert Raikes]] (1940–1941)<ref>S. W Roskill, The War at Sea, Vol.1, p.275</ref>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Algernon Willis]] (1941–1942)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://kingscollections.org/catalogues/lhcma|title=King's Collections : Archive Catalogues : Military Archives|website=kingscollections.org}}</ref>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Campbell Tait]] (1942–1944)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Robert Burnett]] (1944–1946)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Clement Moody]] (1946–1948)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Desmond McCarthy]] (1948–1950)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Herbert Annesley Packer|Herbert Packer]] (1950–1952)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Peveril William-Powlett]] (1952–1954)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Ian Campbell (Royal Navy officer)|Ian Campbell]] (1954–1956)<ref>Whitaker's Almanack 1956</ref>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Geoffrey Robson]] (1956–1958)<ref name="auto"/>
===Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic and South America===
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Dymock Watson]] (1958–1960)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Nicholas Copeman]] (1960–1963)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[Fitzroy Talbot]] (1963–1965)<ref name="auto"/>
* Vice Admiral Sir [[John Gray (Royal Navy officer)|John Gray]] (1965–1967)<ref name="auto"/>

==See also==
* [[List of fleets and major commands of the Royal Navy]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==References==
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Hampshire|1975}}|author=A. Cecil Hampshire|title=The Royal Navy Since 1945|publisher=William Kimber & Co. Ltd|place=London|date=1975|isbn=0718300343}}
* Rear Admiral Allan du Toit, RAN, 'Simon's Town and the Cape Sea Route,' in Captain Peter Hore, RN (ed), 'Dreadnought to Daring: 100 Years of Comment, Controversy, and Debate in the Naval Review,' Seaforth Publishing, Barnsley, 2012.

{{Admiralty Department|state=collapsed}}
{{Royal Navy fleets}}

[[Category:Commanders-in-chief of the Royal Navy|S]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1967]]