LIGHT ANTI AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
Unlike the Anti Tank Regiment which has a large number of War Establishments with only very small differences between them, the Light Anti Aircraft Regiment in a division appears to have only one War Establishment although it is known that there were a number of variations. When researching this unit no War Establishment Tables were found for a Light Anti Aircraft Battery in 1943, 1944 or 1945. The latest found is September 1942.
The reference for a Light Anti Aircraft Battery is War Establishment III/171/1 with an effective date of 31 July 1942. Logically this should be a corps unit.
There are two identical references for the Headquarters of a Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, II/64/1 and III/170/1 both with an effective date of 31st July 1942. These were updated but the amendments were minor.
The 20mm Anti Aircraft Section was introduced in early 1944 and these served briefly in Normandy before being disbanded because of the Allied air superiority. They were attached to a Light Anti Aircraft Regiment.
The above war establishments also give details of the Light Warning radars which were generally a part of Anti Aircraft Regiments and of the predictors which were generally withdrawn from units in 1944.
There were other Light Anti Aircraft units. Some were mobile and included searchlights as well as Bofors guns. Some were semi mobile and intended for Home Defence. There were Light Anti Aircraft Regiments in the Anti Aircraft Brigades intended for Base Defence and some of these found their way to the fighting zone when there was little for them to do elsewhere.
HEADQUARTERS of a LIGHT ANTI AIRCRAFT REGIMENT
WE II/64/1 with an effective date of 31st July 1942.
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer
Major, Second in Command
Captain, Adjutant
Subaltern
Quartermaster
Regimental Serjeant Major
serjeant clerk (RA clerks section)
serjeant clerk for QM duties
bombardier clerk
2 X clerk
vehicle mechanic
11 X driver operator
2 X bombardier driver operator
2 X lance bombardier driver operator
6 X batman driver
driver IC
medical officers orderly
4 X motorcyclist
sanitary dutyman
storeman
plus attached
instrument mechanic RS
Medical Officer
2 X cooks ACC
Total 44
5 X motorcycle
1 X car 4seater 4 X 2
2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 15cwt GS
5 X 15cwt FFW
1 X 15cwt Office
2 X 3ton lorry 4 X 4 GS
1 X water trailer, 180 gallons
Light AA Regiment Detachment Royal Signals
This detachment is part of H troop of B Squadron, Divisional Signals.
15cwt wireless house
corporal operator, operator, driver operator
Carries a Wireless set No22
This vehicle for rear link
A corporal instrument mechanic, 3 X electrician and 4 X 1260 watt charging sets are carried in the transport of the Light AA Regiment.
ORGANISATION
Motorcycle 1
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 2
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 3
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 4
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 5
Subaltern
Car 4 seater 4 X 2
Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant, batman driver
Car 15cwt 4 X 4
Major, batman driver
Car 15cwt 4 X 4
Quartermaster, clerk
15cwt truck GS
Medical Officer, medical officer’s orderly, batman driver
Carries medical stores
15cwt Office truck
Regimental Serjeant Major, serjeant clerk, 2 X clerk, batman driver
Carries office equipment
Note that the two clerks are trained as drivers IC
15cwt FFW 1
3 X driver operator
Carries a wireless set No 22
This vehicle for rear link
15cwt FFW 2
3 X driver operator
Carries a wireless set No 22
This vehicle for command and forward link
15cwt FFW 3
3 X driver operator
Carries a wireless set No 22
This vehicle detached to a battery
15cwt FFW 4
3 X driver operator
Carries a wireless set No 22
This vehicle detached to a battery
15cwt FFW 5
3 X driver operator
Carries a wireless set No 22
This vehicle detached to a battery
3ton 4 X 4 GS 1
instrument mechanic RS, sanitary dutyman, batman driver, vehicle mechanic
Carries a 1260 kw generator
Carries a bren lmg
Carries baggage, anti gas reserves, blankets, petrol, reserve SAA ammunition
Draws a water trailer
Note that the instrument mechanic is attached from divisional signals.
3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
2 X cook, storeman, serjeant (QM duties), batman driver, driver IC
Carries a bren lmg and PIAT
Carries cooking gear, rations, officers mess baggage
Weapons
14 X pistol .38”
8 X rifle .303”
18 X sten gun
2 X Bren gun
1 X PIAT
Officers, warrant officers, motor cyclists and Bren lmg detachments are armed with pistols.
One man per vehicle is armed with a Sten gun
All others are armed with a rifle.
Light Warning sets, Radar AA No4 MkIII, were usually provided although they may not be deployed. The establishment for the detachment is given separately.
15cwt Wireless Light Warning
bombardier operator fire control, 2 X lance bombardier operator fire control
Carries a Light Warning set, Radar AA No4 MkIII
Carries a wireless set No 22
Note that all three personnel are trained as driver IC
15cwt GS
driver IC
15cwt Wireless Light Warning
bombardier operator fire control, 2 X lance bombardier operator fire control
Carries a Light Warning set, Radar AA No4 MkIII
Carries a wireless set No 22
Note that all three personnel are trained as driver IC
15cwt GS
driver IC
A REME corporal telecommunications mechanic is attached for the maintenance of radar AA No4 MkIII sets.
Each vehicle carries two rifles and one sten gun.
LIGHT ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY RA
WE III/171/1 with an effective date of 31 July 1942.
Major
4 X Captain
7 X Subaltern
Battery Serjeant Major
battery quartermaster serjeant
21 X serjeant
bombardier clerk, pay duties
bombardier clerk
4 X clerk
19 X driver mechanic
8 X driver operator
equipment repairer
3 X gun fitter
fitter MV
3 X motor mechanic
8 X batman driver
butchery dutyman
23 X drivers IC
18 X generator numbers
126 X gun detachments
6 X medical orderly
7 X motorcyclist
sanitary dutyman
4 X storeman
4 X water dutyman
20 X motorcycle
5 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
5 X 15cwt GS
3 X 15cwt water
4 X 15cwt FFW
24 X 3ton 4 X 4
18 X Tractor LAA
1 X water trailer, 180 gallons.
73 X pistol .38”
85 X rifle .303”
126 X Sten gun
18 X Bren gun
4 X PIAT
19 X signal pistol
18 X Bofors LAA gun
Motorcycle 1
Battery Serjeant Major
Motorcycle 2
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 3
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 4
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 5
motorcyclist
Car 15cwt 4 X 4 1
Subaltern, batman driver
Car 15cwt 4 X 4 2
Captain, batman driver
15cwt truck GS 1
battery quartermaster serjeant, cook ACCC, water dutyman, butchery dutyman
Carries cooking gear and rations
15cwt truck GS 2
sanitary dutyman, equipment repairer, fitter MV
Carries PIAT
15cwt FFW
3 X driver operator
Carries a wireless set No 22
This vehicle from regimental headquarters
15cwt FFW
Major, 2 X driver operator
Carries a wireless set No 22
3ton 4 X 4 GS 1
clerk pay duties, driver mechanic
Carries anti gas reserves, blankets, reserve SAA ammunition
Carries 696 rounds of 40mm ammunition in 29 boxes
3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
2 X clerk, driver IC
Carries 1032 rounds 40mm ammunition in 43 boxes
3ton 4 X 4 GS 2
electrician RS, storeman, driver IC
Carries Bren lmg
Carries 1260 watt charging engine
Carries petrol and technical stores
Tows a water tank trailer
Note that the electrician and charging engine are from RS detachment.
TROOP
Motorcycle 1
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 2
Subaltern
Motorcycle 3
serjeant
Motorcycle 4
gun fitter
Motorcycle 5
clerk (troop commanders assistant)
Car 15cwt 4 X 4
Subaltern, medical orderly
15cwt truck GS
cook ACC, storeman, batman driver
Carries cooking gear and rations
Carries PIAT
15cwt truck water
water dutyman, motor mechanic
15cwt FFW
Troop Commander, 2 X driver operator, batman driver
Carries a wireless set No 22
3ton 4 X 4 GS
medical orderly, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, blankets
Carries 528 rounds of 40mm ammunition in 22 boxes
Carries Bren lmg
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 72 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 72 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 72 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 72 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 72 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 72 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
The 3ton lorry carried a predictor, the Kerrison Predictor, or Predictor No 3.
OR
TROOP
When predictors are not being used
Motorcycle 1
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 2
Subaltern
Motorcycle 3
serjeant
Motorcycle 4
gun fitter
Motorcycle 5
clerk (troop commanders assistant)
Car 15cwt 4 X 4
Subaltern, medical orderly
15cwt truck GS
cook ACC, storeman, batman driver
Carries cooking gear and rations
Carries PIAT
15cwt truck water
water dutyman, motor mechanic
15cwt FFW
Troop Commander, 2 X driver operator, batman driver
Carries a wireless set No 22
3ton 4 X 4 GS
medical orderly, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, blankets
Carries 528 rounds of 40mm ammunition in 22 boxes
Carries Bren lmg
3ton 4 X 4 GS
driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, blankets for sections
Carries ammunition for sections
Carries Bren lmg
Section
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, generator number, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, generator number, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, generator number, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, generator number, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, generator number, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
Light AA Tractor, 4 X 4
serjeant, 7 X gun numbers, generator number, driver mechanic
Carries 192 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a 40mm Bofors gun
A Light AA Troop (20mm)
Captain
2 X Subaltern
2 X serjeant No1 of gun
serjeant
6 X bombardier
3 X lance bombardier
37 X gunner
clerk, trained as driver IC
2 X driver operator
gun fitter
vehicle mechanic
3 X batman driver
5 X driver IC
24 X gun number
medical officers orderly, trained as driver IC
6 X No1 of gun detachment, bombardier
storeman, trained in water duties and as driver IC
5 X motorcycle
2 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
8 X 15cwt AA 20mm gun
1 X 15cwt water
1 X 15cwt GS
2 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS
8 X 10cwt trailer
Motorcycle 1
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 2
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 3
Subaltern
Motorcycle 4
serjeant
Motorcycle 5
gun fitter
Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1
Captain, batman driver
Car 5cwt 4 X 4 2
Subaltern, batman driver
15cwt truck GS
cook ACC, medical officers orderly
Carries cooking gear and rations
15cwt truck water
storeman
3ton 4 X 4 GS
clerk, cook, vehicle mechanic batman driver
Carries anti gas reserves, blankets, cooking sets and rations
Carries 4,000 rounds of 20mm
Carries PIAT
3ton 4 X 4 GS
2 X driver operator, driver IC
Carries stores, technical equipment, baggage, blankets, petrol and medical equipment
Carries 2 X R109 wireless receivers.
Carries Bren lmg
Section 1
15cwt AA
serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a trailer with 20mm ammunition
15cwt AA
bombardier, 3 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a trailer with 20mm ammunition
15cwt AA
bombardier, 3 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a trailer with 20mm ammunition
15cwt AA
bombardier, 3 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a trailer with 20mm ammunition
Note that section cooks, plus baggage and blankets, are carried in the transport of troop headquarters
Section 2
15cwt AA
serjeant, 3 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a trailer with 20mm ammunition
15cwt AA
bombardier, 3 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a trailer with 20mm ammunition
15cwt AA
bombardier, 3 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a trailer with 20mm ammunition
15cwt AA
bombardier, 3 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries a Bren lmg
Tows a trailer with 20mm ammunition
Note that section cooks, plus baggage and blankets, are carried in the transport of troop headquarters
A Light AA Troop (20mm) could not operate independently but had to be attached to a Light AA Regiments.
A number of these units were landed in Normandy and photographs show them deployed in defence of the landing beaches. They do not seem to have been used after this period in the campaign.
SELF PROPELLED TROOP
Morris C9 4 X 4.
No separate establishment has been found for the self propelled troop. The Morris C9 4 X 4 chassis was used to mount a modified 40mm anti aircraft gun. This carried a crew of four. It is known that only one man was needed to aim and fire the gun using a joystick and a powered mounting. The first 350 self propelled 40mm guns were ordered together with 350 Predictor vehicles which were on C8 chassis and also carried four men. It is assumed that when the self propelled gun was used without the predictor a 3ton GS would be provided and the total crew including drivers would remain at eight. A second order included fewer predictors than guns and the final order included no predictors at all.
Motorcycle 1
motorcyclist
Motorcycle 2
Subaltern
Motorcycle 3
serjeant
Motorcycle 4
gun fitter
Motorcycle 5
clerk (troop commanders assistant)
Car 15cwt 4 X 4
Subaltern, medical orderly
15cwt truck GS
cook ACC, storeman, batman driver
Carries cooking gear and rations
Carries PIAT
15cwt truck water
water dutyman, motor mechanic
15cwt FFW
Troop Commander, 2 X driver operator, batman driver
Carries a wireless set No 22
3ton 4 X 4 GS
medical orderly, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, blankets
Carries 528 rounds of 40mm ammunition in 22 boxes
Carries Bren lmg
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, 2 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 144 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Self Propelled Light AA Gun, 4 X 4
serjeant, 2 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 120 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, 2 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 144 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Self Propelled Light AA Gun, 4 X 4
serjeant, 2 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 120 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, 2 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 144 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Self Propelled Light AA Gun, 4 X 4
serjeant, 2 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 120 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, 2 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 144 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Self Propelled Light AA Gun, 4 X 4
serjeant, 2 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 120 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, 2 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 144 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Self Propelled Light AA Gun, 4 X 4
serjeant, 2 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 120 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a 40mm Bofors gun
Section
3ton 4 X 4 GS
generator number, 2 X gun numbers, driver IC
Carries anti gas reserves, generator and instruments
Carries 144 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries Bren lmg
Self Propelled Light AA Gun, 4 X 4
serjeant, 2 X gun numbers, driver mechanic
Carries 1120 rounds of 40mm ammunition
Carries a 40mm Bofors gun
Markings.
Light AA units followed the standard marking practices for RA units. As well as the arm of service square there was a smaller square which showed the battery and vehicle number.
A LAA regiment in an armoured division carried the white number 73 on a blue and red square
A LAA regiment in an infantry division carried the white number 47 on a blue and red square
A LAA regiment in a corps carried a whit numeral 14 on a blue and red square
Vehicle numbers and letters were shown in white on the vehicles tactical sign. These signs were squares, generally half the size of the Arm of Service sign and generally displayed above the top right hand corner of the Arm of Service Sign. Some were displayed elsewhere on the vehicles front and rear.
- Regimental headquarters used a square divided red over blue as for the Arm of Service sign
- Battery 1 had a blue square with the top right hand quarter in red.
- Battery 2 had a blue square with the bottom right hand corner in red
- Battery 3 had a blue square with the bottom left hand corner in red.
- Battery 4 had a blue square with the top left hand corner in red
The letters and numbers could be placed in various styles but were consistent throughout a regiment
- some units placed then centrally
- some units placed them only in the blue portion
- some units placed them with the number underneath the letter
- at least one unit placed them only on the red part.
The combination of battery square with letters and numbers ensured that every vehicle in the regiment could be identified.
Attached Royal Signals carried the unit code on a blue and white square.
A Light Anti Aircraft Workshop Type A
This was responsible for the maintenance and 1st line repair for a Light Anti Aircraft Regiment in a division or corps. It consisted of a headquarters and one section for each battery. If the regiment was issued with radar a telecommunication section was added.
Headquarters
Captain
staff serjeant armament artificer
staff serjeant armourer
serjeant artisan
10 X craftsmen and privates
trades included
armament artificer, anti aircraft
armourer
2 X driver mechanic
electrician, control equipment
2 X fitter
instrument mechanic, LAA
vehicle mechanic
clerk
storeman
2 X driver IC
Transport
1 X motorcycle
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 store (unbinned, flat floor)
1 X 3ton 4 X 4 or 6 X 4 Machinery Type M
1 X 3ton 6 X 4 Breakdown
Battery section
staff serjeant armament artificer
6 X craftsmen and privates
trades included
armament artificer, anti aircraft
driver mechanic
electrician, vehicle and plant
fitter
instrument mechanic, LAA
2 X vehicle mechanic
Transport
1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4
1 X 3ton 4 X 2 store (unbinned, flat floor)
Telecommunications section
Captain
staff serjeant armament artificer, radio
2 X telecommunications mechanic
1 X 4 seater, 4 X 2, Heavy Utility type ‘I’
Drivers are not provided for all vehicles. Units will ensure that sufficient personnel are trained to drive unit vehicles.
Not all personnel and stores can be carried in the vehicles of the workshop and must be carried in the transport of the formation of which this unit forms a part.
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