In May 1915 Italy entered the war aligning itself with allied powers against the Central Powers, becoming involved in the Adriatic Campaign of World War I.

But due to a lack of coordination with the French Naval Command by the Italians, the British decided to enforce an allied agreement by establishing a British Adriatic Squadron to be based at Taranto.

[1] Between July and September 1917 the Mediterranean Fleet was reorganised following coordination between other allied powers.

Britain's scope of geographic responsibility to include new sub commands would encompass the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, Coast of Egypt, Gibraltar and the waters around Malta.

[2] Following command changes in August 1917 the squadron was downgraded and renamed the British Adriatic Force.