Tactical Section (Royal Navy)
The Tactical Section was part of the Naval Staff from 1920 to 1928, when it became part of the Tactical Division.
History
In 1920 it was decided "to strengthen the provision in the Naval Staff for the consideration and formulation, under the C.N.S., of the staff view of the effect on policy of technical developments and scientific research".[1] Under the new organisation the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff became responsible "for tactics and matters connected with the technique of naval warfare, including Naval Air Development".[2] From 15 March the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff:
will also have under him a small tactical section, and will deal with all staff questions of:-
Methods of fighting at sea generally. Tactical investigation.
Development of vessels and material in relation to policy and tactics, and the reaction of such development on fighting methods.
Air development, in relation to Naval warfare.
Signalling in connection with tactics and weapons.
Fleet practices, co-ordination and standardisation of methods.
Staff questions dealing with Research and Experiment.[3]
Instructions were promulgated on 1 April:
The Tactical Section will assist the A.C.N.S. in the consideration of:-
Fighting Instructions,
Tactics and manoeuvres, as affected by weapons in use, and signalling in connection therewith.
Principles governing signal training, in conjunction with D.T.S.D., who is responsible for advice on general principles of training.
2. The Tactical Section will maintain close touch with the Gunnery and Torpedo Division respecting signal requirements of weapons in use or proposed, and with Director of Naval Signals respecting technical signal questions.[4]
The section didn't formally appear in the Navy Estimates until 1922, when provision was made for one Captain and one Commander.[5]
On 24 December, 1928, Tactical Section merged with the Torpedo Division to form the Tactical Division.[6]
Heads of Tactical Section
Troup was the first to be formally listed as "Head".
- Commander Ralph F. Seymour, 22 March, 1920.[7]
- Commander Kenneth MacLeod, 10 January, 1921.[8]
- Captain James A. G. Troup, 15 February, 1923.[9]
- Captain Alfred H. Taylor, 1 February, 1925.[10]
- Captain Bruce A. Fraser, 31 January, 1927.[11]
Footnotes
- ↑ "Office Memorandum No. 67" dated 13 March, 1920. The National Archives. ADM 116/1803.
- ↑ "Confidential Admiralty Interim Orders. (Complete Issue.) 496.—Admiralty Naval Staff—Organisation." dated 1 June, 1920. The National Archives. ADM 116/1803.
- ↑ "Office Memorandum No. 67" dated 13 March, 1920. The National Archives. ADM 116/1803.
- ↑ "Office Memorandum No. 94" dated 1 April, 1920. The National Archives. ADM 116/1803.
- ↑ Navy Estimates for the Year 1922-23. p. 160.
- ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 117.
- ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 124.
- ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 124.
- ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 124.
- ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 124.
- ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 124.
Bibliography
- Navy Estimates for the Year 1922-23. H.C. 74 (1922).
- 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.
