8th Submarine Flotilla

The 8th Submarine Flotilla was a flotilla of the British Royal Navy consisting of submarines and their supporting depot ships and destroyers. It was established as part of the Home Fleet in 1912. The flotilla brought together the newer, longer range 'overseas' submarines for the purpose of carrying out offensive operations. Composition of the flotilla varied over time. It was disestablished in 1919.
The flotilla was re-established in 1939 for service in the Second World War. It was disestablished again after the close of hostilities.
August 1914.
On 5 August 1914, the Eighth Submarine Flotilla was based at its war station at Harwich and was constituted as follows:
Submarines
Depot ships
Attached Destroyers
Notes
HMS "D.1" was also notionally part of the flotilla, but was transferred to the Dover Patrol when war broke out
February 1916.
As at 1 February 1916, the flotilla had grown in size and was based at both Harwich and Yarmouth. It was constituted as follows:
Submarines
Depot ships
Attached Destroyers
Notes:
HMS "E.1", HMS "E.8", HMS "E.9", HMS "E.18" and HMS "E.19" were also notionally part of the flotilla, but were on detached service with the Russian Baltic Fleet
Vessels based at Harwich were transferred to the re-established 9th Submarine Flotilla in August 1916
October 1916.
As at 1 October 1916 the flotilla was based at Yarmouth and formed part of the Harwich Force:
Submarines
Depot ship
January 1919.
As at 1 January 1919 the flotilla remained part of the Harwich Force, but following the suspension of hostilities had moved to Dover and was constituted as follows:
Submarines
Depot ship
Second World War.
Summary of service:
Re-established on the East Indies Station at Colombo September 1939, disestablished again May 1940. 4 'O' Class submarines.
Re-established for the North Atlantic Command at Gibraltar December 1940, moving to Algiers December 1943.
Moved to the Eastern Fleet February 1944.
Attached to the U.S. 7th Fleet at Fremantle, August 1944, moving to Subic Bay April 1945. Around 10 'S' Class submarines.