 On 3 September 1939 the 1st Battle Squadron, serving in the Mediterranean Fleet, consisted of "Barham", "Warspite" and "Malaya", with headquarters at Alexandria, Egypt, under the command of Vice-Admiral Geoffrey Layton.In December 1943 the Squadron was under the command of Vice Admiral Arthur Power.In January 1944 the Eastern Fleet was reinforced by , , , , and seven destroyers.