Hello All,
I am trying to find out the command structure of the Coastal Forces within the boundry of the Nore Command. There are a lot of books written about Coastal Forces, but many of them only show operations and personal experiences.
In Footsteps in the Sea by Ann Neve it is written (page 136) that HMS Watchful was under the command of an admiral who directed all naval operations in the town including those of HMS Midge and its MTB's and MGB's.
Somewhere else it is written that the Coastal Forces (within territory of the Nore Command) were under the operational command of the Nore Command.
There also was an Home Waters Coastal Forces HQ, named HMS Hornet in Gosport, but it seems like this was just organisational and not operational.
Reading this I would conclude that HMS Midge (Coastal Forces Gt. Yarmouth) was placed below HMS Watchful (Gt. Yarmouth) in the command structure, which was below the Nore Command.
Something similar would count for the Coastal Forces base in Lowetoft, but in Felixtowe there was no other base than the Coastal Forces base. Was the Coastal Forces base in Felixtowe placed directly under the Nore Command?
I tried to sketch a command structure, based on what i wrote here. I can hardly imagine this is correct and i hope someone can help me to improve it and get it right.
Regards,
Jeroen