Active 1914–1919 Branch Royal Navy | Country United Kingdom Type Fleet | |
Notable
commanders Rear-Admiral John de Robeck | ||
The Auxiliary Patrol was an antisubmarine patrols initiative by the British to help combat German submarine operations in the early stages of World War I. It was under the command of the Admiral of Patrols at the Admiralty and was the pioneer of anti-submarine warfare.
Contents
History
On May 1st 1912 the post of Admiral of Patrols was established responsible for five destroyer flotilla's covering waters around the British Isles. In 1914, the Board of Admiralty sent an order the Admiralty War Staff to re-evaluate the functional role the patrol flotillas off the Eastern Coast of Britain the First Sea Lord indicated that the current function of patrolling would now be that of coastal defence. After the implementation took place R Admiral de Robeck was then replaced as (ADMOP) by a new commander Commodore George A. Ballard. He assumed the duties of Admiral of Patrols on the 1 May, 1914 the auxiliary patrol was then a component part of the Admiral of Patrols command until 1917.
The majority of British trawlers were commandeered by the Admiralty, and those left were obliged to fish in groups of 20 with additional protection.
The Auxiliary Patrol was crewed by fishermen and led mainly by Merchant Navy men commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve. They operated as trawlers do, in all weathers. Their trawlers were retrofitted with armaments, typically 3,6 or 12-pounder guns as well as 7.5" Bomb Throwers (Anti Submarine howitzers). Specialist crew such as signallers and gunners were also put on board.
Later in the war the Admiralty built 3 classes of larger trawlers as well as developing a new special class of Minesweeper.
By the Second World War, the Royal Navy had formed a specialist minesweeping capability, and the Royal Naval Patrol Service was formed, known to many as "Harry Tate's Navy".
Patrol areas Home waters
In 1914 new patrol areas were designated "Auxiliary" that covered UK waters.
Areas allocated by number
Areas allocated by name
Patrol areas Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea was divided into patrol zones dividing responsibility between the British, French and Italian navies.