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|dates=1935–1945
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==Origin==
==Origin==
[[German strategic bombing during World War I|German air raids]] by [[Zeppelin]] airships and [[Gotha G.IV|Gotha]] bombers on London and other British cities during [[World War I]] had shown the need for strong anti-aircraft (AA) defences in any future war. When the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] (TA) was reformed in 1922 it included a number of dedicated AA units of the [[Royal Artillery]] (RA) and [[Royal Engineers]] (RE). Two formations were organised in London District to command these units, provisionally known as the 2nd and 3rd London Air Defence Brigades, but soon numbered 26th and 27th.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1922/1922%20-%200483.html ''Flight'' 24 August 1922]</ref>
The brigade was first organised as '''27th (Home Counties) AA Group''' on 15 December 1935 at [[RAF Kenley]] in Surrey. 27 AA Group came under the command of [[1st Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|1st AA Division]] (formed the previous day at [[RAF Uxbridge]]), which was responsible to [[London District (British Army)|London District]] for the growing number of [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] (TA) anti-aircraft gun and searchlight units around London.<ref name = BMF>http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/1-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1936-38-.pdf</ref>


Both brigades were based at the [[Duke of York's Headquarters]] in [[Chelsea]]. The 27th comprised:<ref> [http://digital.slv.vic.gov.au/view/action/singleViewer.do?dvs=1392113637069~863&locale=en_US&metadata_object_ratio=10&show_metadata=true&preferred_usage_type=VIEW_MAIN&frameId=1&usePid1=true&usePid2=true 'Titles and Designations'' 1927.]</ref>
==Order of Battle==
The following units comprised 27th (Home Counties) AA Group on its formation:<ref name = BMF/>


'''27th (London) Air Defence Brigade'''
⚫
* [[60th (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|60th (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade]], [[Royal Artillery]] (TA) (heavy anti-aircraft (HAA) gun unit formed in 1935 by conversion of 4th ([[London Regiment|City of London]]) Battalion, [[Royal Fusiliers]])<ref name = BMF/><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20051226171511/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L04RF.htm</ref><ref name = Litchfield>Litchfield</ref>
* [[53rd (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|53rd (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade]], RA (TA) (HAA unit formed in 1922 at [[Putney]]), recruited mainly from men in banks and insurance companies in the [[City of London]])<ref name = Litchfield>Litchfield</ref>
** HQ at [[White City, London]]
** 157th (City of London) AA Battery at White City
** 158th (City of London) AA Battery at White City
** 159th ([[Lloyd's of London|Lloyd's]]) (City of London) AA Battery at White City

* [[54th (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|54th (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade]], RA (TA) (HAA unit formed in 1922 at Putney)<ref name = Litchfield>Litchfield</ref>
** HQ at Putney
** 160th (City of London) AA Battery at Putney
** 161st (City of London) AA Battery at Putney
** 162nd (City of London) AA Battery at Putney

* [[27th (London Electrical Engineers) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|27th (London) Anti-Aircraft Battalion (London Electrical Engineers)]], RE (TA) (a searchlight unit)
** HQ at [[Streatham]]
** 304th AA Company at [[Westminster]]
** 305th AA Company at Westminster
** 306th AA Company at Westminster
** 390th AA Company at Westminster

* 27th (London) Anti-Aircraft Signal Company, Royal Signals

==1935 Reorganisation==
As Britain's AA defences expanded during the 1930s, higher formations became necessary. [[1st Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|1st AA Division]] was formed at the end of 1935 to cover London and the [[Home Counties]]. As part of this reorganisation, 26th (London) Bde assumed command of all the gun and searchlight units of the two former brigades, while the 27th was reformed as '''27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Group''', based at [[RAF Kenley]], to command new AA units in the South London suburbs. <ref name = BMH1>[http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/1-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1936-38-.pdf 1 AA Division 1936–39 at British Military History]</ref><ref>''Monthly Army List'' Jan 1936</ref>

⚫
* [[60th (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|60th (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade]], [[Royal Artillery]] (TA) (heavy anti-aircraft (HAA) gun unit formed in 1935 by conversion of 4th ([[London Regiment|City of London]]) Battalion, [[Royal Fusiliers]])<ref name = BMH1/><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20051226171511/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L04RF.htm</ref><ref name = Litchfield/>
** HQ at [[Bromley]]
** HQ at [[Bromley]]
** 168 Battery at Bromley
** 168 Battery at Bromley
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** 194 Battery at Bromley
** 194 Battery at Bromley


* [[30th (Surrey) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|30th (Surrey) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers]] (TA) (formed in 1935 from HQ Surrey Group AA Searchlight Companies RE)<ref name = BMF/>
* [[30th (Surrey) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|30th (Surrey) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers]] (TA) (formed in 1935 from HQ Surrey Group AA Searchlight Companies RE)<ref name = BMH1/>
** HQ at [[Kingston upon Thames]]
** HQ at [[Kingston upon Thames]]
** 315 Company at [[Croydon]]
** 315 Company at [[Croydon]]
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** 323 Company at [[Ewell]]
** 323 Company at [[Ewell]]


* [[31st (City of London Rifles) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|31st (City of London Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Battalion]], RE (TA) (searchlight unit formed in 1935 by conversion of 6th [[London Regiment|City of London Regiment]] (City of London Rifles))<ref name = BMF/><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20051227002002/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L06.htm</ref><ref name = Litchfield/>
* [[31st (City of London Rifles) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|31st (City of London Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Battalion]], RE (TA) (searchlight unit formed in 1935 by conversion of 6th [[London Regiment|City of London Regiment]] (City of London Rifles))<ref name = BMH1/><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20051227002002/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L06.htm</ref><ref name = Litchfield/>
** HQ at [[Sutton, London|Sutton]]
** HQ at [[Sutton, London|Sutton]]
** 324 Company at Sutton
** 324 Company at Sutton
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** 327 Company at [[Hackbridge]]
** 327 Company at [[Hackbridge]]


* [[34th (The Queen's Own Royal West Kent) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|34th (The Queen's Own Royal West Kent) Anti-Aircraft Battalion]], RE (TA) (searchlight unit formed in 1935 by conversion of 20th [[London Regiment]], affiliated to the [[The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment]])<ref name = BMF/><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20051226171532/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L20QO.htm</ref><ref name = Litchfield/>
* [[34th (The Queen's Own Royal West Kent) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|34th (The Queen's Own Royal West Kent) Anti-Aircraft Battalion]], RE (TA) (searchlight unit formed in 1935 by conversion of 20th [[London Regiment]], affiliated to the [[The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment]])<ref name = BMH1/><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20051226171532/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L20QO.htm</ref><ref name = Litchfield/>
** HQ at [[Blackheath, London|Blackheath]]
** HQ at [[Blackheath, London|Blackheath]]
** 320 Company at [[Greenwich]]
** 320 Company at [[Greenwich]]
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** 338 Company at [[Eltham]]
** 338 Company at [[Eltham]]


* [[35th (1st Surrey Rifles) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|35th (First Surrey Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Battalion]], RE (TA) (searchlight unit formed in 1935 by conversion of 21st [[London Regiment]] (1st Surrey Rifles) affiliated to the [[East Surrey Regiment]])<ref name = BMF/><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20051227025213/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L21Sy.htm</ref><ref name = Litchfield/>
* [[35th (1st Surrey Rifles) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|35th (First Surrey Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Battalion]], RE (TA) (searchlight unit formed in 1935 by conversion of 21st [[London Regiment]] (1st Surrey Rifles) affiliated to the [[East Surrey Regiment]])<ref name = BMH1/><ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20051227025213/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L21Sy.htm</ref><ref name = Litchfield/>
** HQ at [[Camberwell]]
** HQ at [[Camberwell]]
** 340th Company at Camberwell
** 340th Company at Camberwell
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After initial infantry training, 303 Bde was sent to [[Norway]] in June 1945 as part of the liberation of that country ([[Operation Doomsday]]).<ref name = Joslen399/><ref name = IWM/><ref name = 303Bde/>
After initial infantry training, 303 Bde was sent to [[Norway]] in June 1945 as part of the liberation of that country ([[Operation Doomsday]]).<ref name = Joslen399/><ref name = IWM/><ref name = 303Bde/>

==Postwar==
When the TA was reformed in 1947, 27 AA Bde was reformed at [[Dover]] under the new designation of '''53 (Home Counties) AA Brigade''', with the following composition:<ref>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/aa-brigades-67-106.html AA Bdes 30–60 at British Army units 1945 on]</ref>
* [[75th (Cinque Ports) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|259 (Home Counties) (Cinque Ports) HAA Regt]]
* [[89th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|489 HAA Regt (Cinque Ports)]]
* [[16th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|516 LAA Regt]]

However, the brigade was disbanded in 1948.



==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}


==References==
==References==
* [http://digital.slv.vic.gov.au/view/action/singleViewer.do?dvs=1392113637069~863&locale=en_US&metadata_object_ratio=10&show_metadata=true&preferred_usage_type=VIEW_MAIN&frameId=1&usePid1=true&usePid2=true ''Titles and Designations of Formations and Units of the Territorial Army'', London: War Office, 7 November 1927]

* Major L.F. Ellis, ''History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Military Series: Victory in the West'', Volume II: ''The Defeat of Germany'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1968/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004, ISBN 1-845740-59-9.
* Major L.F. Ellis, ''History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Military Series: Victory in the West'', Volume II: ''The Defeat of Germany'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1968/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004, ISBN 1-845740-59-9.


Line 120: Line 155:
==External sources==
==External sources==
* [http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk British Military History]
* [http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk British Military History]

* [http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk British Army units from 1945 on]


* [http://www.iwm.org.uk Imperial War Museum]
* [http://www.iwm.org.uk Imperial War Museum]
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[[Category:Air defence brigades of the British Army]]
[[Category:Air defence brigades of the British Army]]
[[Category:Brigades of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Brigades of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1948]]

Revision as of 17:09, 22 February 2014

27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
Active1922–1948
Country United Kingdom
Branch Territorial Army
TypeAnti-Aircraft Brigade
RoleAir Defence
Part of1st AA Division (1935–40)
5th AA Division (1940)
2nd AA Group (1944–45)
EngagementsThe Blitz

27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Brigade (27 AA Bde) was an Air Defence formation of the British Army in World War II that served in The Blitz and later converted to infantry.

Origin

German air raids by Zeppelin airships and Gotha bombers on London and other British cities during World War I had shown the need for strong anti-aircraft (AA) defences in any future war. When the Territorial Army (TA) was reformed in 1922 it included a number of dedicated AA units of the Royal Artillery (RA) and Royal Engineers (RE). Two formations were organised in London District to command these units, provisionally known as the 2nd and 3rd London Air Defence Brigades, but soon numbered 26th and 27th.[1]

Both brigades were based at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea. The 27th comprised:[2]

27th (London) Air Defence Brigade

  • 54th (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, RA (TA) (HAA unit formed in 1922 at Putney)[3]
    • HQ at Putney
    • 160th (City of London) AA Battery at Putney
    • 161st (City of London) AA Battery at Putney
    • 162nd (City of London) AA Battery at Putney
  • 27th (London) Anti-Aircraft Signal Company, Royal Signals

1935 Reorganisation

As Britain's AA defences expanded during the 1930s, higher formations became necessary. 1st AA Division was formed at the end of 1935 to cover London and the Home Counties. As part of this reorganisation, 26th (London) Bde assumed command of all the gun and searchlight units of the two former brigades, while the 27th was reformed as 27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Group, based at RAF Kenley, to command new AA units in the South London suburbs. [4][5]

The AA Groups took the more usual formation title of Brigades in 1938 after the Royal Artillery replaced its traditional unit designation 'Brigade' by the modern 'Regiment'.

Outbreak of war

During the period of tension leading to the Munich crisis and eventually the outbreak of World War II, the Territorial Army grew enormously, and existing TA infantry battalions continued to be converted to AA regiments. The number of divisions and brigades was expanded, and the whole AA defence of the United Kingdom was taken over by Anti-Aircraft Command on 1 April 1939. When the UK declared war on 3 September 1939, 27th (Home Counties) AA Bde was a searchlight formation in 6 AA Division (also based at Uxbridge) and had the following composition:[10]

  • 31st (City of London Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, RE (TA)
    • HQ, 324, 325, 326, 327 Companies as before
  • 34th (The Queen's Own Royal West Kent) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, RE (TA)
    • HQ, 302, 336, 337, 338 Companies as before

In August 1940, during the Battle of Britain, the RE 'Anti-Aircraft' (searchlight) battalions became regiments of the RA.[11]

The Blitz

By late 1940, at the height of The Blitz, 27 AA Bde was serving in 5 AA Division covering the important naval base of Portsmouth, with the following regiments under command:[12]

  • 31 (City of London Rifles) Searchlight Regiment, RA (TA)[13]
  • 70 (Sussex) Searchlight Regiment, RA (TA)[14]

The AA Corps and Divisions were disbanded and replaced on 1 October 1942 by new AA Groups. Late in 1944, 27 AA Bde was serving in 2 AA Group, covering the Solent, South-East England and southern East Anglia.[15][16]

Conversion

By the end of 1944, 21st Army Group was suffering a severe manpower shortage, particularly among the infantry.[17] At the same time the German Luftwaffe was suffering from such shortages of pilots, aircraft and fuel that serious aerial attacks on the United Kingdom could be discounted. In January 1945 the War Office began to reorganise surplus anti-aircraft and coastal artillery regiments in the UK into infantry battalions, primarily for line of communication and occupation duties in North West Europe, thereby releasing trained infantry for frontline service.[18][19]

On 22 January 1945, HQ 27 AA Bde under Brigadier H.G. Smith[20] was converted into 303rd Infantry Brigade with the following units under command:[21][15][22]

After initial infantry training, 303 Bde was sent to Norway in June 1945 as part of the liberation of that country (Operation Doomsday).[21][20][15]

Postwar

When the TA was reformed in 1947, 27 AA Bde was reformed at Dover under the new designation of 53 (Home Counties) AA Brigade, with the following composition:[31]

However, the brigade was disbanded in 1948.


Notes

  1. ^ Flight 24 August 1922
  2. ^ 'Titles and Designations 1927.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Litchfield
  4. ^ a b c d e f 1 AA Division 1936–39 at British Military History
  5. ^ Monthly Army List Jan 1936
  6. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20051226171511/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L04RF.htm
  7. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20051227002002/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L06.htm
  8. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20051226171532/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L20QO.htm
  9. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20051227025213/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L21Sy.htm
  10. ^ http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=6697&page=1
  11. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/slidx/index.html
  12. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/home/page52.html
  13. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sl/page11.html
  14. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sl/page50.html
  15. ^ a b c http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/infidx/page3.html
  16. ^ London Gazette
  17. ^ Ellis, pp. 141–2.
  18. ^ Ellis, pp. 369, 380.
  19. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/infidx/index.html
  20. ^ a b IWM papers
  21. ^ a b Joslen, p. 399.
  22. ^ http://www.ordersofbattle.com/Units/GetUnitTypes?Filter=&SttX=2&SrvX=4&SizX=6&UntX=53
  23. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20051226174950/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-london/vinf/L19StPan.htm
  24. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sl/page13.html
  25. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/infantry/page32.html
  26. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sl/page16.html
  27. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/infantry/page34.html
  28. ^ http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/2-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1936-38-.pdf
  29. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sl/page18.html
  30. ^ http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/infantry/page35.html
  31. ^ AA Bdes 30–60 at British Army units 1945 on

References

  • Major L.F. Ellis, History of the Second World War: United Kingdom Military Series: Victory in the West, Volume II: The Defeat of Germany, London: HM Stationery Office, 1968/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2004, ISBN 1-845740-59-9.
  • Lt-Col H.F. Joslen, Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945, London: HMSO, 1960/Uckfield: Naval & Military, 2003, ISBN 1843424746.
  • Norman E.H. Litchfield, The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges), Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992.

External sources

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