This list of regiments of the
Royal Artillery covers the period from 1938, when the RA adopted the term 'regiment' rather than 'brigade' for a lieutenant-colonel's command comprising two or more batteries, to 1947 when all RA regiments were renumbered in a single sequence.[1][2][3][4]
In 1938 the RA was organised in two main branches: Field, and Coast Defence and Anti-Aircraft (CD&AA) (including anti-tank). The two branches had separate depots and administrative staffs, but the main difference was in equipment and tactical employment. However, these differences broke down as
World War II progressed, when units took on multiple roles, good examples being the employment of heavy anti-aircraft guns in the medium artillery and anti-tank roles.[5][6]
In this list 'Reg' denotes a prewar unit of the
Regular Army, 'SR' denotes
Supplementary Reserve, 'TA' denotes
Territorial Army, including duplicate units; all others were 'war-formed' (even if some were apparently designated TA). TA duplicate units were granted their subsidiary titles in February 1942. 'Mixed' indicates a unit in which a large proportion of the personnel were women of the
Auxiliary Territorial Service. 'S/A' indicates an established Regular or TA unit placed in 'suspended animation' (as opposed to disbandment)
Traditionally the
Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) provided highly mobile light field guns to support cavalry formations. By 1939 the RHA was β like the rest of the RA β completely mechanised, but its role remained essentially the same: provision of mobile artillery to armoured formations. As World War II progressed, this was increasingly achieved using Self-Propelled (SP) guns. The following regiments were designated RHA for all or part of the period:[1][7]
The field regiments were the backbone of the Royal Artillery, mostly operating as integral components of the infantry and armoured divisions, with a few held at corps or army level (later in the
Army Groups Royal Artillery).[1][17]
171st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery β converted from 2nd Defence Regiment January 1942; converted to 171st Heavy Regiment February 1945, reverted May 1945
173rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery β converted from 7th Defence Regiment January 1942; disbanded March 1943; reformed from 180th Field Regiment July 1943; disbanded January 1945
175th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery β converted from 10th Defence Regiment January 1942; disbanded February 1943 to form 15th Medium Regiment; reformed July 1943
1st Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery - Formed December 1940 as 1st Pack Regiment, redesignated 1 Mountain Regiment January 1941[168]
2nd Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery - Formed March 1941[168]
3rd Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery - Formed December 1942, disbanded January 1946[169]
7th Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery - Formed October 1943 as X Mountain Regiment but soon numbered. Disbanded November 1945[169]
85th (East Anglian) Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery (TA) - Converted from 85th Field Regiment September 1943. Suspended animation September 1945[170]
Light Regiments
1st Light Regiment Royal Artillery - Converted from 1st Mountain Regiment October 1944, reverted to 1st Mountain Regiment March 1945[168]
5th Light Regiment Royal Artillery - Converted from 5th Field Regiment June 1945, disbanded October 1945[171]
168th Light Regiment Royal Artillery - Converted from 168th Medium Regiment June 1945, disbanded February 1946[171]
1st Air Landing Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery[172]
2nd Air Landing Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery[172]
123rd Parachute Field Regiment,Royal Artillery - Converted to parachute role from November 1944 to September 1945[173]
159th Parachute Light Regiment, Royal Artillery[171]
23rd Parachute Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery[174]
Survey
Survey regiments were initially organised into Survey, Sound Ranging and Flash Spotting batteries. Later this was changed to a troop of each in each battery.[175][176]
1st Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (Reg) β formed May 1939
2nd Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (Reg) β formed September 1939
3rd Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA) β expanded from single company November 1938[177]
4th (Durham) Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA) β expanded from single company November 1938[178]
5th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA) β formed 1939[177]
6th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA) β formed 1939, disbanded July 1940[178]
7th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed January 1941
8th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed February 1941
9th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed March 1941
10th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed December 1942
11th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed December 1942
Coast Defence
Heavy Regiments (Coast)
Regiments of static heavy guns for coast defence, converted to numbered coast regiments in 1940β41:[1][179]
During the invasion crisis of 1940 a number of temporary 'Defence' batteries and regiments were formed to deploy around the UK coast for general defence, though not forming part of coast artillery proper; others were formed at overseas ports.[1][210][211]
17th Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery β redesignated from 13th Mobile Coast Defence Regiment February 1941, redesignated 26th Defence Regiment June 1941; converted to 26th Medium Regiment October 1943
Originally, these units were simply entitled 'Anti-Aircraft' (AA), but in 1940 they were redesignated 'Heavy Anti-Aircraft' (HAA) to distinguish them from the Light AA units being formed. The great majority were disbanded or passed into S/A between August 1945 and January 1947[1][212]
B Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed August 1941, converted to 2nd HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, October 1941
C Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed August 1941, converted to 3rd HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, October 1941
D Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed August 1941, converted to 4th HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, October 1941
E Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed September 1941, converted to 5th HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, December 1941
F Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed April 1942, converted to 15th (East Africa) HAA Regiment, East African Artillery, November 1942
X Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed December 1940, converted to 1st HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, May 1941
Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank regiments were usually created by merging batteries from two separate units under a single regimental headquarters; some of these were shortlived.[1][315]
The following anti-aircraft searchlight (S/L) regiments served with the Royal Artillery during the period. Many of these units were transferred in August 1940 from the
Royal Engineers (RE), in which they had been designated 'Anti-Aircraft Battalions'; most of these were converted infantry battalions, while other converted infantry battalions transferred directly to the RA.[1][316][317]
Anti-Aircraft Z Regiments were armed with rockets fired from a simple launcher. Later in the war they could include some ATS personnel and many batteries were manned by the Home Guard with regular army command post staff. Some independent batteries served abroad.
All Anti-Aircraft Z Regiments were redesignated Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiments in April 1944 and all were disbanded by April 1945.[342]
1st Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed January 1941, disbanded May 1945
2nd Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded April 1945
3rd Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded April 1945
4th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded March 1945
5th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, batteries disbanded January 1945
6th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded March 1945
7th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded April 1945
8th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, batteries disbanded March 1945
9th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed January 1941, disbanded April 1945
10th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed January 1941, disbanded April 1945
11th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed January 1941, batteries disbanded March 1945
12th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed March 1941, disbanded October 1943. Batteries became independent
13th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed August 1941, disbanded March 1945
14th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1941, disbanded April 1945
15th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1941, disbanded April 1945
16th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, disbanded March 1945
17th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, disbanded March 1945
18th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, disbanded April 1945
19th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, batteries disbanded March 1945
20th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, disbanded March 1945
21st Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed December 1942, disbanded March 1945
22nd Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiment RA - Formed April 1944, batteries disbanded April 1945
23rd Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiment RA - Formed April 1944, batteries disbanded March 1945
24th Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiment RA - Formed April 1944, disbanded April 1945
25th Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiment RA - Formed April 1944, disbanded March 1945
Maritime
The Maritime Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery initially had 3 Light Machine Gun Regiments each with two batteries and one regiment of a battery of Bofors 40 mm. Port detachments were formed to find pools of trained Light Machine Gun gunners who could be embarked as required. Eventually the machine guns were mostly replaced by 20 mm Oerlikons and 40 mm Bofors. There was no higher formation, each commanding officer reporting direct to RA6 at the War Office.[343] In September 1942 a gunner Brigadier was appointed as commander and in January 1943 the regiment was re-titled Maritime Royal Artillery. In March 1943 numbers were increased and the regiment organised into six regiments and twenty-four port detachments in Britain. There were four overseas batteries at New York, Port Said, Bombay and South Africa and four independent troops at Freetown, Sydney, Algiers and Haifa. A fifth troop was added later at Naples. In August 1945 the regiment was re-organised into 1st, 4th and 5th Regiments each with an RHQ, Training Battery and Holding Battery. There was also 2nd Regiment in India but this was not fully formed.[344]
Infantry and Garrison Regiments
Garrison Regiments
Towards the end of 1944 Britain's field armies were suffering a manpower crisis, so the Royal Artillery began converting surplus air and coast defence regiments into Garrison regiments for service in rear areas.[345]
200th Garrison Rgt β formed as 'X' British Garrison Regiment, RA, October 1944, redesignated November 1944, reorganised as 602nd Infantry Regiment February 1945
By the beginning of 1945 the manpower crisis had deepened, and the garrison regiments were converted into infantry regiments for service on the lines of communication and occupation duties, together with other surplus regiments. Although formally these units were entitled 'Regiments, RA', the word 'Infantry' is often added (then and subsequently) for clarity.[346][347]
Training regiments changed designation frequently as new roles and requirements appeared.[1][351]
1st (Mixed) Royal Artillery Training Regiment (Radar) β converted from 236th Mixed Anti-Aircraft (Operators Fire Control) Training Regiment February 1944; disbanded September 1945
2nd Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed September 1939; disbanded February 1941
2nd Royal Artillery Training Regiment (Light Anti-Aircraft) β formed September 1940; disbanded October 1944
2nd Mountain Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed April 1945; disbanded December 1945
2nd Coast Trining Regiment, Royal Artillery β redesignated from 70th Coast Training Regiment July 1945
3rd Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded July 1943
4th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded April 1947
5th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded September 1943
6th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded March 1944
7th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; Mixed in May 1941; converted to infantry training regiment February 1945; disbanded December 1945
9th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded November 1943
10th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to Field October 1944; converted to Specialist September 1945
11th Anti-Aircraft Driver Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded November 1943
12th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded May 1943
16th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded October 1942
21st Medium and Heavy Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded October 1942
21st Royal Artillery Training Regiment β formed September 1944
22nd Medium and Heavy Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; converted to Field August 1941; converted to Anti-Tank February 1942; disbanded November 1945
23rd Medium and Heavy Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; converted to Field August 1941; reverted to Medium and Heavy May 1945; disbanded October 1946
24th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed March 1942; converted to mobile LAA May 1943
25th Medium and Heavy Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by August 1942; disbanded March 1944
34th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded November 1945
35th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded January 1946
36th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded August 1941
37th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded December 1943
38th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded July 1944
39th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded January 1947
41st Survey Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded August 1941
50th Anti-Tank Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded July 1943
51st Anti-Tank Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; converted to Self-Propelled March 1944
52nd Anti-Aircraft Driver Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to AA Signals December 1942; reverted to AA Driver March 1944; disbanded December 1945
53rd Anti-Aircraft Driver Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded August 1942
69th Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed November 1940; disbanded December 1945
70th Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β converted from 2nd Heavy Regiment November 1940; redesignated 2nd Coast Training Regiment July 1945
71st Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed November 1940; disbanded April 1945
72nd Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed November 1940; disbanded January 1942
73rd Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed March 1941; disbanded January 1942
205th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed July 1941; converted to infantry training April 1945
206th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed July 1941; converted to Mobile LAA May 1943; disbanded October 1945
207th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β redesignated from 7th AA Militia Depot September 1939; became Mixed December 1941; disbanded October 1942
208th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded September 1942
209th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed August 1941; disbanded September 1942
210th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed July 1941; disbanded November 1943
211th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed June 1941; converted to infantry training April 1945
212th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to Mobile LAA May 1943; disbanded October 1944
213th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded June 1942
216th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed April 1942
217th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to AA (ATS) Driver Training May 1941
220th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to LAA May 1941; disbanded October 1944
222nd Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed April 1942; disbanded October 1944
223rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded June 1943
224th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded June 1942
225th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded September 1942
226th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded March 1942
227th Anti-Aircraft Driver and Driver/OperatorTraining Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; dropped Driver/Operator December 1942
228th Anti-Aircraft Driver and Driver/OperatorTraining Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to AA Signals December 1942; disbanded September 1943
229th Anti-Aircraft Driver and Driver/OperatorTraining Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; dropped Driver/Operator December 1942; disbanded November 1943
230th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded April 1942
231st Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded June 1942
232nd Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to ATS Operators Fire Control July 1941; disbanded February 1944
233rd Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to LAA May 1941; converted to No 1 Primary Training Centre July 1942
234th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; concerted to LAA May 1941; disbanded May 1942
235th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded January 1942
236th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became 236th Mixed AA (Operators Fire Control) Training Regiment July 1943; redesignated 1st (Mixed) RA Training Regiment (Radar) January 1944
237th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to LAA November 1941; disbanded May 1942
238th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to 'Z' July 1941; converted to LAA January 1942; disbanded March 1943
239th Anti-Aircraft 'Z' Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed March 1941; converted to LAA January 1942; ; converted to No 1 Primary Training Centre October 1943
240th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941
240th Anti-Aircraft 'Z' Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed August 1941; converted to HAA March 1944; converted to LAA February 1946
241st Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed May 1942; disbanded September 1943
242nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed May 1942; disbanded September 1943
Bellis, Malcolm A. (1995). Regiments of the British Army 1939β1945 (Artillery). London: Military Press International.
ISBN0-85420-110-6.
Farndale, Martin (1996) [1988]. The Years of Defeat: Europe and North Africa, 1939β1941. History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery (repr. Brassey's ed.). London: Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution.
ISBN1-85753-080-2.
Farndale, Martin (2002). The Far East Theatre 1939β1946. History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. London: Brassey's.
ISBN1-85753-302-X.
Frederick, J. B. M. (1984). Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660β1978. Vol. I. Wakefield: Microform Academic.
ISBN1-85117-007-3.
Frederick, J. B. M. (1984). Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660β1978. Vol. II. Wakefield: Microform Academic.
ISBN1-85117-009-X.
Joslen, H. F. (2003) [1960]. Orders of Battle: Second World War, 1939β1945. Uckfield, East Sussex: Naval and Military Press.
ISBN978-1-84342-474-1.
Litchfield, Norman E. H. (1992). The Territorial Artillery 1908β1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges). Nottingham: Sherwood Press.
ISBN0-9508205-2-0.
Routledge, Brigadier N.W. (1994). Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914β55. History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. London: Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's.
ISBN1-85753-099-3.
Watson, Graham E.; Rinaldi, Richard A. (2018). The Corps of Royal Engineers: Organization and Units 1889β2018. Tiger Lily Books.
ISBN978-171790180-4.
This list of regiments of the
Royal Artillery covers the period from 1938, when the RA adopted the term 'regiment' rather than 'brigade' for a lieutenant-colonel's command comprising two or more batteries, to 1947 when all RA regiments were renumbered in a single sequence.[1][2][3][4]
In 1938 the RA was organised in two main branches: Field, and Coast Defence and Anti-Aircraft (CD&AA) (including anti-tank). The two branches had separate depots and administrative staffs, but the main difference was in equipment and tactical employment. However, these differences broke down as
World War II progressed, when units took on multiple roles, good examples being the employment of heavy anti-aircraft guns in the medium artillery and anti-tank roles.[5][6]
In this list 'Reg' denotes a prewar unit of the
Regular Army, 'SR' denotes
Supplementary Reserve, 'TA' denotes
Territorial Army, including duplicate units; all others were 'war-formed' (even if some were apparently designated TA). TA duplicate units were granted their subsidiary titles in February 1942. 'Mixed' indicates a unit in which a large proportion of the personnel were women of the
Auxiliary Territorial Service. 'S/A' indicates an established Regular or TA unit placed in 'suspended animation' (as opposed to disbandment)
Traditionally the
Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) provided highly mobile light field guns to support cavalry formations. By 1939 the RHA was β like the rest of the RA β completely mechanised, but its role remained essentially the same: provision of mobile artillery to armoured formations. As World War II progressed, this was increasingly achieved using Self-Propelled (SP) guns. The following regiments were designated RHA for all or part of the period:[1][7]
The field regiments were the backbone of the Royal Artillery, mostly operating as integral components of the infantry and armoured divisions, with a few held at corps or army level (later in the
Army Groups Royal Artillery).[1][17]
171st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery β converted from 2nd Defence Regiment January 1942; converted to 171st Heavy Regiment February 1945, reverted May 1945
173rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery β converted from 7th Defence Regiment January 1942; disbanded March 1943; reformed from 180th Field Regiment July 1943; disbanded January 1945
175th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery β converted from 10th Defence Regiment January 1942; disbanded February 1943 to form 15th Medium Regiment; reformed July 1943
1st Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery - Formed December 1940 as 1st Pack Regiment, redesignated 1 Mountain Regiment January 1941[168]
2nd Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery - Formed March 1941[168]
3rd Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery - Formed December 1942, disbanded January 1946[169]
7th Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery - Formed October 1943 as X Mountain Regiment but soon numbered. Disbanded November 1945[169]
85th (East Anglian) Mountain Regiment Royal Artillery (TA) - Converted from 85th Field Regiment September 1943. Suspended animation September 1945[170]
Light Regiments
1st Light Regiment Royal Artillery - Converted from 1st Mountain Regiment October 1944, reverted to 1st Mountain Regiment March 1945[168]
5th Light Regiment Royal Artillery - Converted from 5th Field Regiment June 1945, disbanded October 1945[171]
168th Light Regiment Royal Artillery - Converted from 168th Medium Regiment June 1945, disbanded February 1946[171]
1st Air Landing Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery[172]
2nd Air Landing Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery[172]
123rd Parachute Field Regiment,Royal Artillery - Converted to parachute role from November 1944 to September 1945[173]
159th Parachute Light Regiment, Royal Artillery[171]
23rd Parachute Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery[174]
Survey
Survey regiments were initially organised into Survey, Sound Ranging and Flash Spotting batteries. Later this was changed to a troop of each in each battery.[175][176]
1st Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (Reg) β formed May 1939
2nd Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (Reg) β formed September 1939
3rd Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA) β expanded from single company November 1938[177]
4th (Durham) Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA) β expanded from single company November 1938[178]
5th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA) β formed 1939[177]
6th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA) β formed 1939, disbanded July 1940[178]
7th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed January 1941
8th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed February 1941
9th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed March 1941
10th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed December 1942
11th Survey Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed December 1942
Coast Defence
Heavy Regiments (Coast)
Regiments of static heavy guns for coast defence, converted to numbered coast regiments in 1940β41:[1][179]
During the invasion crisis of 1940 a number of temporary 'Defence' batteries and regiments were formed to deploy around the UK coast for general defence, though not forming part of coast artillery proper; others were formed at overseas ports.[1][210][211]
17th Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery β redesignated from 13th Mobile Coast Defence Regiment February 1941, redesignated 26th Defence Regiment June 1941; converted to 26th Medium Regiment October 1943
Originally, these units were simply entitled 'Anti-Aircraft' (AA), but in 1940 they were redesignated 'Heavy Anti-Aircraft' (HAA) to distinguish them from the Light AA units being formed. The great majority were disbanded or passed into S/A between August 1945 and January 1947[1][212]
B Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed August 1941, converted to 2nd HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, October 1941
C Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed August 1941, converted to 3rd HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, October 1941
D Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed August 1941, converted to 4th HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, October 1941
E Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed September 1941, converted to 5th HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, December 1941
F Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed April 1942, converted to 15th (East Africa) HAA Regiment, East African Artillery, November 1942
X Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed December 1940, converted to 1st HAA Regiment, West African Artillery, May 1941
Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank regiments were usually created by merging batteries from two separate units under a single regimental headquarters; some of these were shortlived.[1][315]
The following anti-aircraft searchlight (S/L) regiments served with the Royal Artillery during the period. Many of these units were transferred in August 1940 from the
Royal Engineers (RE), in which they had been designated 'Anti-Aircraft Battalions'; most of these were converted infantry battalions, while other converted infantry battalions transferred directly to the RA.[1][316][317]
Anti-Aircraft Z Regiments were armed with rockets fired from a simple launcher. Later in the war they could include some ATS personnel and many batteries were manned by the Home Guard with regular army command post staff. Some independent batteries served abroad.
All Anti-Aircraft Z Regiments were redesignated Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiments in April 1944 and all were disbanded by April 1945.[342]
1st Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed January 1941, disbanded May 1945
2nd Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded April 1945
3rd Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded April 1945
4th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded March 1945
5th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, batteries disbanded January 1945
6th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded March 1945
7th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, disbanded April 1945
8th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1940, batteries disbanded March 1945
9th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed January 1941, disbanded April 1945
10th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed January 1941, disbanded April 1945
11th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed January 1941, batteries disbanded March 1945
12th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed March 1941, disbanded October 1943. Batteries became independent
13th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed August 1941, disbanded March 1945
14th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1941, disbanded April 1945
15th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed September 1941, disbanded April 1945
16th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, disbanded March 1945
17th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, disbanded March 1945
18th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, disbanded April 1945
19th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, batteries disbanded March 1945
20th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed October 1942, disbanded March 1945
21st Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment RA - Formed December 1942, disbanded March 1945
22nd Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiment RA - Formed April 1944, batteries disbanded April 1945
23rd Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiment RA - Formed April 1944, batteries disbanded March 1945
24th Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiment RA - Formed April 1944, disbanded April 1945
25th Anti-Aircraft Area Mixed Regiment RA - Formed April 1944, disbanded March 1945
Maritime
The Maritime Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery initially had 3 Light Machine Gun Regiments each with two batteries and one regiment of a battery of Bofors 40 mm. Port detachments were formed to find pools of trained Light Machine Gun gunners who could be embarked as required. Eventually the machine guns were mostly replaced by 20 mm Oerlikons and 40 mm Bofors. There was no higher formation, each commanding officer reporting direct to RA6 at the War Office.[343] In September 1942 a gunner Brigadier was appointed as commander and in January 1943 the regiment was re-titled Maritime Royal Artillery. In March 1943 numbers were increased and the regiment organised into six regiments and twenty-four port detachments in Britain. There were four overseas batteries at New York, Port Said, Bombay and South Africa and four independent troops at Freetown, Sydney, Algiers and Haifa. A fifth troop was added later at Naples. In August 1945 the regiment was re-organised into 1st, 4th and 5th Regiments each with an RHQ, Training Battery and Holding Battery. There was also 2nd Regiment in India but this was not fully formed.[344]
Infantry and Garrison Regiments
Garrison Regiments
Towards the end of 1944 Britain's field armies were suffering a manpower crisis, so the Royal Artillery began converting surplus air and coast defence regiments into Garrison regiments for service in rear areas.[345]
200th Garrison Rgt β formed as 'X' British Garrison Regiment, RA, October 1944, redesignated November 1944, reorganised as 602nd Infantry Regiment February 1945
By the beginning of 1945 the manpower crisis had deepened, and the garrison regiments were converted into infantry regiments for service on the lines of communication and occupation duties, together with other surplus regiments. Although formally these units were entitled 'Regiments, RA', the word 'Infantry' is often added (then and subsequently) for clarity.[346][347]
Training regiments changed designation frequently as new roles and requirements appeared.[1][351]
1st (Mixed) Royal Artillery Training Regiment (Radar) β converted from 236th Mixed Anti-Aircraft (Operators Fire Control) Training Regiment February 1944; disbanded September 1945
2nd Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed September 1939; disbanded February 1941
2nd Royal Artillery Training Regiment (Light Anti-Aircraft) β formed September 1940; disbanded October 1944
2nd Mountain Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed April 1945; disbanded December 1945
2nd Coast Trining Regiment, Royal Artillery β redesignated from 70th Coast Training Regiment July 1945
3rd Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded July 1943
4th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded April 1947
5th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded September 1943
6th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded March 1944
7th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; Mixed in May 1941; converted to infantry training regiment February 1945; disbanded December 1945
9th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded November 1943
10th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to Field October 1944; converted to Specialist September 1945
11th Anti-Aircraft Driver Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded November 1943
12th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded May 1943
16th Field Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded October 1942
21st Medium and Heavy Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; disbanded October 1942
21st Royal Artillery Training Regiment β formed September 1944
22nd Medium and Heavy Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; converted to Field August 1941; converted to Anti-Tank February 1942; disbanded November 1945
23rd Medium and Heavy Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; converted to Field August 1941; reverted to Medium and Heavy May 1945; disbanded October 1946
24th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed March 1942; converted to mobile LAA May 1943
25th Medium and Heavy Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by August 1942; disbanded March 1944
34th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded November 1945
35th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded January 1946
36th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded August 1941
37th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded December 1943
38th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded July 1944
39th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded January 1947
41st Survey Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded August 1941
50th Anti-Tank Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941; disbanded July 1943
51st Anti-Tank Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1942; converted to Self-Propelled March 1944
52nd Anti-Aircraft Driver Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to AA Signals December 1942; reverted to AA Driver March 1944; disbanded December 1945
53rd Anti-Aircraft Driver Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded August 1942
69th Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed November 1940; disbanded December 1945
70th Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β converted from 2nd Heavy Regiment November 1940; redesignated 2nd Coast Training Regiment July 1945
71st Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed November 1940; disbanded April 1945
72nd Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed November 1940; disbanded January 1942
73rd Coast Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed March 1941; disbanded January 1942
205th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed July 1941; converted to infantry training April 1945
206th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed July 1941; converted to Mobile LAA May 1943; disbanded October 1945
207th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β redesignated from 7th AA Militia Depot September 1939; became Mixed December 1941; disbanded October 1942
208th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded September 1942
209th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed August 1941; disbanded September 1942
210th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed July 1941; disbanded November 1943
211th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed June 1941; converted to infantry training April 1945
212th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to Mobile LAA May 1943; disbanded October 1944
213th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded June 1942
216th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed April 1942
217th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to AA (ATS) Driver Training May 1941
220th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to LAA May 1941; disbanded October 1944
222nd Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became Mixed April 1942; disbanded October 1944
223rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded June 1943
224th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded June 1942
225th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded September 1942
226th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded March 1942
227th Anti-Aircraft Driver and Driver/OperatorTraining Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; dropped Driver/Operator December 1942
228th Anti-Aircraft Driver and Driver/OperatorTraining Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to AA Signals December 1942; disbanded September 1943
229th Anti-Aircraft Driver and Driver/OperatorTraining Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; dropped Driver/Operator December 1942; disbanded November 1943
230th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded April 1942
231st Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded June 1942
232nd Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to ATS Operators Fire Control July 1941; disbanded February 1944
233rd Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to LAA May 1941; converted to No 1 Primary Training Centre July 1942
234th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; concerted to LAA May 1941; disbanded May 1942
235th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; disbanded January 1942
236th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; became 236th Mixed AA (Operators Fire Control) Training Regiment July 1943; redesignated 1st (Mixed) RA Training Regiment (Radar) January 1944
237th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to LAA November 1941; disbanded May 1942
238th Searchlight Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by November 1940; converted to 'Z' July 1941; converted to LAA January 1942; disbanded March 1943
239th Anti-Aircraft 'Z' Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed March 1941; converted to LAA January 1942; ; converted to No 1 Primary Training Centre October 1943
240th Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed by July 1941
240th Anti-Aircraft 'Z' Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed August 1941; converted to HAA March 1944; converted to LAA February 1946
241st Light Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed May 1942; disbanded September 1943
242nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Training Regiment, Royal Artillery β formed May 1942; disbanded September 1943
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Farndale, Martin (1996) [1988]. The Years of Defeat: Europe and North Africa, 1939β1941. History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery (repr. Brassey's ed.). London: Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution.
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Farndale, Martin (2002). The Far East Theatre 1939β1946. History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. London: Brassey's.
ISBN1-85753-302-X.
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ISBN1-85117-007-3.
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ISBN1-85117-009-X.
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ISBN978-1-84342-474-1.
Litchfield, Norman E. H. (1992). The Territorial Artillery 1908β1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges). Nottingham: Sherwood Press.
ISBN0-9508205-2-0.
Routledge, Brigadier N.W. (1994). Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914β55. History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. London: Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's.
ISBN1-85753-099-3.
Watson, Graham E.; Rinaldi, Richard A. (2018). The Corps of Royal Engineers: Organization and Units 1889β2018. Tiger Lily Books.
ISBN978-171790180-4.