3rd Destroyer Flotilla

The British 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, also styled as Third Destroyer Flotilla, was a naval formation of the Royal Navy from 1909 to 1939 and again from 1945 to 1951.

History
In 1907 the Channel Fleet had a large Channel Flotilla of destroyers in February 1909 when it was divided to form the 1st and 3rd Destroyer Flotillas. From March 1909 to May 1912 the formation was part of the Nore Division, 3rd Division Home Fleet. In May 1912, the Home Fleet was split into the First Fleet, with ships in full commission, and the Second and Third Fleets, composed of ships partly crewed and laid up in reserve respectively. The 3rd Destroyer Flotilla remained part of the First Fleet until July 1914.

On the outbreak of the First World War, the First Fleet became the Grand Fleet, and the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla joined the newly formed Harwich Force. In the summer of 1915 it was renumbered the 9th Destroyer Flotilla. It was reformed again from March 1918 as part of the Grand Fleet till November 1918.

After the War the Flotilla joined the Atlantic Fleet, forming part of that organisation from December 1918 until August 1923. It was then allocated to the Mediterranean Fleet until 1926 when it was temporarily assigned to the China Station until 1927. It returned to the Mediterranean until 1938. By the beginning of World War Two in September 1939 it was still in the Mediterranean Fleet. It was re-allocated to the Home Fleet in October 1939 to November 1944 under the command of the Rear-Admiral, Destroyer Flotillas Home Fleet. The flotilla was sent back to join the Mediterranean Fleet in November 1944.

Throughout this period the term Flotilla had applied to a tactical unit. In 1951, instead, three specific Flag Officers, Flotillas, were created responsible for escorts up to cruisers for the Eastern, Home and Mediterranean fleets. The previous destroyer flotillas were redesignated squadrons, and thus the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla became the 3rd Destroyer Squadron in July 1951.

Flotilla commander
The commander of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla held the title of Captain (Destroyers), or 'Captain (D)'. Those officers included (incomplete list):

Composition 1945 to 1951
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 * HMS Troubridge (R00) (Leader)
 * HMS Venus (R50)
 * HMS Verulam (R28)
 * HMS Virago (R75)
 * HMS Volage (R41)
 * HMS Brissenden (L79)
 * HMS Troubridge (Leader)
 * HMS Venus
 * HMS Verulam
 * HMS Virago
 * HMS Volage
 * HMS Brissenden
 * HMS Troubridge (Leader)
 * HMS Venus
 * HMS Verulam
 * HMS Virago
 * HMS Volage
 * HMS Brissenden
 * HMS Haydon (L75) - (October 1947)
 * HMS Stevenstone (L16) -(October 1947)
 * HMS Talybont (L18) - (October 1947)
 * HMS Troubridge (Leader)
 * HMS Venus
 * HMS Verulam
 * HMS Virago
 * HMS Volage
 * HMS Troubridge (Leader)
 * HMS Venus
 * HMS Verulam
 * HMS Virago
 * HMS Volage - (July 1949)
 * HMS Saintes (D84) (Leader) (July 1949)
 * HMS Armada (D14) - (July 1949)
 * HMS Gravelines (D24) - (July 1949)
 * HMS Vigo (D31) - (July 1949)
 * HMS Saintes (Leader)
 * HMS Armada
 * HMS Gravelines
 * HMS Vigo
 * HMS Saintes (Leader)
 * HMS Armada
 * HMS Gravelines
 * HMS Vigo