Force H was a British naval formation during the Second World War. It was formed in 1940 to replace French naval power in the western Mediterranean that had been removed by the French armistice with Nazi Germany.
It occupied an odd place within the naval chain of command. Normal British practice was to have various naval stations and fleets around the world whose commanders reported to the First Sea Lord. Force H was based at Gibraltar, and there was already a flag officer at the base, Flag Officer Commanding, North Atlantic. However, the commanding officer of Force H did not report to this officer; he reported directly to the First Sea Lord.
Read more about Force H: Operation Catapult, Convoy Operations, "Sink The Bismarck!", Britain At Rock Bottom, Amphibious Assaults and The End of Force H, Modern Force H, Battles and Operations of Force H, List of Major Combatant Ships in Force H
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