| 5th Cruiser Squadron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1907–1914, 1939-1946 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Allegiance | British Empire |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Rear-AdmiralCecil Burney |
The5th Cruiser Squadron[1] and also known asCruiser Force D was a formation ofcruisers of the BritishRoyal Navy from 1907 to 1915 and then again from 1939 to 1946.
The squadron was first established in 1907, it was attached to theNore Division in home waters between March 1908 and February 1909 the squadron was assigned to theHome Fleet. It was then allocated to the Atlantic Fleet in April 1909 until April 1912. From May 1912 to July 1914 it was seconded to theSecond Fleet. It was disbanded just before the start ofWorld War I.[2]
The squadron reformed in April 1939, and then it came under theCommander-in-Chief, China until 1942. The squadron was then reassigned to theEastern Fleet until October 1944. It was then attached to theEast Indies Fleet.[3] It continued to serve in theFar East Fleet, with its admiral also wearing the flag of Second-in-Command of the Fleet, until the late 1950s-early 1960s.
After the outbreak of theKorean War in June 1950,William Andrewes was promoted tovice admiral on 1 December 1950. On 17 December 1950 Andrewes was appointed commander of the 5th Cruiser Squadron andFlag Officer Second in Command Far East Fleet, flying his flag in thelight cruiserBelfast. he commanded British and Commonwealth Naval Forces,[4] with the carrierTheseus as his flagship. He had two aircraft carriers available at any one time which he worked in eighteen-day cycles.[5] and thenTask Force 95 (comprising all Blockade and Escort ships in Korean waters, affiliated with theUnited Nations Command) in 1951.[4]
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