Division (naval)

The fourIowa-classbattleshipsoperating as Battleship Division 2 off theVirginia Capesin 1954; from front to back areUSSIowa(BB-61),USSWisconsin(BB-64),USSMissouri(BB-63),andUSSNew Jersey(BB-62).

A navaldivisionis a sub-division of asquadronorflotillaof anavy.It can also be a sub-division of afleet.A division is the smallest naval formation, most commonly numbering between two and fourships.

Command element

A division is usually commanded by seniorflag officer,most commonly avice admiralorrear admiral,irrespective of the division's size. For example, in theImperial Japanese Navy,theFirst Carrier Divisionwas commanded by a rear or vice admiral, same as the18th Cruiser Division.

Division types

Divisions are most commonly grouped byship classand type, dependent on how the respective nation's navy is organised. Examples of division types include:

Submarine Division	24th Submarine Division(Soviet NavyandRussian Navy)	sixsubmarines
Minesweeper Division	Mine Division 71(United States Navy)	twominesweepers
Sloop Division	2nd Escort Group(Royal Navy)	sixsloops
Destroyer Division	Destroyer Division 22 (United States Navy)	fourdestroyers
CruiserDivision	18th Cruiser Division (Imperial Japanese Navy)	twolight cruisers
Battleship Division	Battleship Division 2(United States Navy)	fourbattleships
Carrier Division	Second Carrier Division(Imperial Japanese Navy)	twoaircraft carriers
Investigative Services	Naval Criminal Investigation Services(United States Navy)	threebattleships

See also

• BatDiv
• Destroyer squadron

References

• Peattie, Mark R. (1999).Sunburst: The Rise of Japanese Naval Air Power 1909–1941.Annapolis, Maryland:Naval Institute Press.ISBN1-59114-664-X.
• Morison, Samuel E. (1963).The Two-Ocean War: A Short History of the United States Navy in the Second World War.New York City:Little, Brown and Company.ISBN0-316-5835-2-9.