Naval Air Division (Royal Navy) facts for kids
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| Division overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1924 |
| Preceding Division | |
| Dissolved | 1964 |
| Superseding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | Government of the United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | Admiralty Building Whitehall London |
| Parent department | Admiralty Naval Staff Navy Department (Ministry of Defence) |
The Naval Air Division was a special part of the Admiralty Naval Staff in the United Kingdom. It was first set up in 1924. Its main job was to manage and control the aircraft used by the Royal Navy.
At first, it only looked after how naval aircraft were used in operations. But by 1939, it gained full control over everything to do with the Fleet Air Arm. This included how it was run, its rules, and how it was set up. The division changed its name a few times over the years. It stopped existing in April 1964 when the Admiralty joined the new Ministry of Defence. It then became part of the Navy Department (Ministry of Defence).
Contents
Early Days: The Air Section (1920-1924)
Before the Naval Air Division, there was an "Air Section" created in July 1920. This happened because there wasn't one clear group in charge of all naval air matters. During the years between World War I and World War II, this was a big problem. The British Admiralty (the Navy's leadership) controlled how aircraft were used from warships. However, the Royal Air Force (RAF) and its boss, the Air Ministry, were in charge of training and managing the naval aircraft on land. This made things very confusing!
In 1924, a specific part of the Navy called the Fleet Air Arm was created. The Air Section was then put under the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff. It was renamed the Air Division. Later, in 1928, it became the Naval Air Division.
For many years, the Air Ministry still controlled the Fleet Air Arm's land-based operations. The Admiralty wasn't happy about this. Finally, in July 1937, both sides agreed to give the Fleet Air Arm back to the Admiralty. At first, this only included aircraft that flew from aircraft carriers. But by May 1939, the Admiralty had full control over all naval air warfare. This meant they managed everything about naval aircraft.
World War II and Beyond (1941-1966)
During World War II, in April 1941, the Admiralty also took control of the land-based Coastal Command. This was a part of the RAF that helped protect ships from submarines.
The Naval Air Division changed its name several times as its roles grew and the Navy reorganized. Some of its names included:
- Air Warfare and Training Division (1941–1943)
- Naval Air Warfare & Flying Training Division (1943–1950)
- Naval Air Warfare Division (1951–1962)
- Naval Air Division (1963–1964)
After the Admiralty joined the new Ministry of Defence in April 1964, the division continued its work. However, in May 1966, its responsibilities changed again. It then became known as the Directorate of Naval Air Warfare.
Who Led the Division?
Many important officers led the Naval Air Division and its earlier forms. They were called "Directors" and were usually high-ranking Captains in the Royal Navy. They were responsible for guiding the division and making sure naval aviation was strong and effective.
Directors of the Air Division
- Captain Thomas F. P. Calvert: February 1924 – September 1926
- Captain Cecil P. Talbot: September 1926 – December 1928
- Captain Isham W. Gibson: December 1928 – March 1930
- Captain Charles E. Turle: March 1930 – March 1932
- Captain Henry C. Rawlings: March 1932 – July 1934
- Captain Charles F. Harris: July 1934 – January 1937
- Captain Cosmo M. Graham: January 1937 – February 1939
- Captain Charles A. A. Larcom: February – November 1939
- Captain Clement Moody: November 1939 – September 1941
- Captain A. Robin M. Bridge: September 1941 – February 1943 (as Director Air Warfare and Training Division)
- Captain John P. Wright: February 1943 – January 1945 (as Director Naval Air Warfare and Flying Training Division)
- Captain Guy Willoughby: January 1945 – December 1946
- Captain Ernest H. Shattock: December 1946 – April 1950
- Captain Charles L. G. Evans: April 1950 – June 1951 (as Director Naval Air Warfare Division)
- Captain Arthur S. Bolt: June 1951 – October 1953
- Captain E. Duncan G. Lewin: October 1953 – December 1954
- Captain Frank H. E. Hopkins: December 1954 – September 1956
- Captain Dennis Cambell: September 1956 – October 1957
- Captain Richard E. N. Kearney: October 1957 – December 1958
- Captain Oswald N. Bailey: December 1958 – October 1960
- Captain Desmond Vincent-Jones: October 1960 – 1962
- Captain Desmond Vincent-Jones: 1962 – January 1964 (as Director Naval Air Division)
- Captain George C. Baldwin: January 1964 – May 1966
