The Flag Officer, West Africa (FOWA) was a military command of the British Royal Navy during the Second World War. It existed from 1942 to 1945.
The Royal Navy's prior history in West Africa During the 19th century, the West Africa Squadron was created, primarily as an anti-slavery effort. Later the Cape of Good Hope Station at Simonstown, South Africa, merged with the West Coast of Africa Station to create the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station for the periods 1857–1865 and 1867–1920. 1807: British slave trade illegal 1808: First RN anti-slavery patrol, West Africa Squadron, ships on "particular service" 1819: West African Station an independent command under a Commodore 1840: West African Station still independent, but not under a Commodore 1842: West African Station once more commanded by a Commodore 1857-1865: West African Station again combined with Cape of Good Hope Station 1866: West African Station an independent command again 1867 West Africa/Preventative Squadron is disbanded 1867-1920 Ships in West Africa under control of Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station and West Africa Station 1942-1945 Flag Officer, West Africa operated from Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Second World War In 1941, escort forces began to be built up at Freetown. The post of Flag Officer, West Africa was established in August 1942 as part of the Admiralty re-organisation of commands. He initially controlled two corvettes and a few Free French ships. This was due to the growing importance of Freetown as a major base for convoy escorts. It existed until 1945.
Flag Officers, West Africa Post holders included:
Rank Flag Name Term Notes Flag Officer, West Africa1 Vice-Admiral Frank PegramAugust 1942 – May 1943 2 Vice-Admiral Bernard Rawlings May – November 1943 3 Vice-Admiral Arthur Peters November 1943–1945
Components Distribution of units attached to station included:
UnitDate Notes118th Destroyer FlotillaJuly 1941 – January 1942 2 sloops, 18 corvettes 218th Destroyer FlotillaJanuary–August 1942 2 sloops, 24 corvettes 318th Destroyer FlotillaAugust 1942 – July 1943 2 sloops, 23 corvettes 418th Destroyer FlotillaJuly 1943 – February 1944 15 destroyers, 2 sloops, 15 corvettes 518th Destroyer FlotillaFebruary–September 1944 6 destroyers, 7 sloops & frigates, 7 corvettes 655th Escort GroupSeptember 1944 – May 1945 4/5 escort destroyers 756th Escort GroupSeptember 1944 – May 1945 4/5 escort destroyers 857th Escort GroupSeptember 1944 – May 1945 4/5 escort destroyers 958th Escort GroupSeptember 1944 – May 1945 4/5 escort destroyers, 15 corvettes 1059th Escort GroupSeptember 1944 – May 1945 4/5 escort destroyers 1160th Escort GroupSeptember 1944 – May 1945 4/5 escort destroyers
References
External links Mackie, Colin. (2018) "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie. Scotland, UK. Watson, Dr Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation in World War 2, 1939-1945:West Africa Command". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015.