Gunnery and Torpedo Division (Royal Navy) facts for kids
The Gunnery and Torpedo Division was a special team in the Royal Navy that worked on weapons from 1918 to 1920. They were part of the Admiralty Naval Staff, which was like the main office for the British Navy. Their job was to decide how weapons should be used, help create new ones, and figure out what weapons the Navy needed.
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| Division overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1918 |
| Preceding Division |
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| Dissolved | 1920 |
| Superseding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | Government of the United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Admiralty Building Whitehall London |
| Parent department | Admiralty Naval Staff |
Contents
What Was the Gunnery and Torpedo Division?
The Gunnery and Torpedo Division started on June 27, 1918. It grew out of an older group called the Directorate of Artillery and Torpedoes. This older group was part of the Naval Ordnance Department within the Admiralty.
The new division was a key part of the Admiralty Naval Staff. However, it only existed for two years. In April 1920, it was split into two separate groups. One group focused only on gunnery (big guns), and the other focused on torpedoes.
Their Important Jobs
This division had many important tasks related to naval weapons. They were in charge of planning and carrying out all gunnery and torpedo exercises for the Fleet. This means they organized practice sessions for sailors to learn how to use these weapons.
They also managed the training of all officers and sailors in gunnery and torpedo use. They worked closely with the Director of Training to make sure everyone learned properly. Another key job was to train personnel in using new or existing tactical weapons.
The division also had to think ahead. They planned for any changes in weapon technology. This helped them create new training programs quickly. They were also responsible for setting the requirements for technical gunnery training. This included training in using gunnery weapons, smoke, gas, and counter-measures at training schools. Most importantly, they advised on all the Navy's weapon needs.
Who Was in Charge?
The division was led by directors and assistant directors. These leaders made sure all the important tasks were completed.
Directors
The leaders of the Gunnery and Torpedo Division were called Directors of Naval Artillery and Torpedoes.
- Captain Frederic Charles Dreyer: June 1918 – February 1919
- Captain John W. L. McClintock: February 1919 – September 1920
Assistant Directors
These officers helped the main directors with their duties.
- Captain Howard John Kennard and Captain Norton Allen Sulivan: They shared this role until December 1918.
- Captain Patrick Edward Parker: May 1919 – April 1920.
