(C.)—The Operations Staff Afloat.
I agree with the proposals of the Second Sea Lord as concurred in and amended by the First Sea Lord. This organisation observes the principle of a clear division between the thinking and administrative branches.
The Captain for administration should bear the title of Flag Captain. The Captain of the ship should simply be styled ‘The Captain.’
The extra officers for the Intelligence and Operations ‘Groups’ (Divisions is too large a word and already taken) can be found from the War Training Division of the Admiralty War Staff which will cease to exist on mobilisation. They should go afloat whenever large manœuvres are in progress, and should be appropriated by name to their posts in war. The Commander-in-Chief should have no one on his staff in war that he does not know and has not worked with.
It is desirable that the Commander-in-Chief’s staff when formed should work out strategic and tactical exercises together at the War College, Portsmouth, or if possible at Greenwich, at least once a year, apart from actual manœuvres afloat, in order that each may know his exact function.
The approved form of the Fleet Flagship Staff is as follows:—
I approve also the Second Sea Lord’s proposals for the staffs of Squadron Flagships.