Jump to content

37th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom): Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Mid-War: Disbandment of 29 AA Bde included
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.8.8) (Ost316 - 9958
 
(30 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use British English|date=June 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=37th Anti-Aircraft Brigade<br>63rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
|unit_name=37th Anti-Aircraft Brigade<br>63 (North London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade<br>33 Artillery Brigade
|image=
|image=
|caption=
|caption=
|dates=1938–1967
|dates=1 May 1938–1967
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|allegiance=
|allegiance=
|branch=[[Image:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]]
|branch=[[File:Flag of the British Army.svg|23px]] [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]]
|type=Anti-Aircraft Brigade
|type=Anti-Aircraft Brigade<br>Artillery Brigade
|role=Air Defence
|role=Air Defence
|size=
|size=
|command_structure=[[6th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|6th AA Division]]<br>[[2nd Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|2 AA Group]]<br>[[1st Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|1 AA Group]]
|command_structure=[[6th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|6th AA Division]]<br>[[2nd Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|2 AA Group]]<br>[[1st Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|1 AA Group]]<br>[[9th Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|9 AA Group]]
|current_commander=
|current_commander=
|garrison=[[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]]<br>[[Shepherd's Bush]]
|garrison=[[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]]<br>[[Shepherd's Bush]]
Line 22: Line 23:
|mascot=
|mascot=
|battles=[[Battle of Britain]]<br>[[The Blitz]]<br>[[Baby Blitz]]<br>[[Operation Diver]]
|battles=[[Battle of Britain]]<br>[[The Blitz]]<br>[[Baby Blitz]]<br>[[Operation Diver]]
|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders= Brig [[Lancelot Perowne]]
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
}}
}}
The '''37th Anti-Aircraft Brigade''' was an air defence formation of Britain's [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] (TA) formed just before the outbreak of [[World War II]]. It was engaged in defending the [[Thames Estuary]] during the war, and continued to form part of [[Anti-Aircraft Command]] in the postwar era.
The '''37th Anti-Aircraft Brigade''' was an air defence formation of Britain's [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] (TA) formed just before the outbreak of the [[World War II|Second World War]]. It was engaged in defending the [[Thames Estuary]] during the war, and continued to form part of [[Anti-Aircraft Command]] in the postwar era.


==Origin==
==Origin==
[[File:6th AA div.svg|thumb|right|6 AA Division's formation sign]]
As international tensions rose in the late 1930s, Britain's Anti-Aircraft (AA) defences were strengthened with new [[Royal Artillery]] (RA) regiments. 37th AA Brigade was raised on 1 May 1938, with its HQ at [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]] in North London, to control some of these AA units in the London area. It was commanded by Brigadier Edward William Gravatt Wilson, [[Military Cross|MC]], appointed 29 September 1938, who after he left in 1940 went on to be AA Defence Commander (AADC) Egypt.<ref>''Monthly Army List'', May 1939.</ref><ref>Farndale, Annex J.</ref><ref>[http://www.generals.dk/general/Wilson/Edward_William_Gravatt/Great_Britain.html Wilson at Generals of WWII.]</ref> In 1939 37th AA Brigade joined the newly formed [[6th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|6th AA Division]] based at [[Uxbridge]], which had responsibility for air defence of the [[Thames Estuary]], [[Essex]] and North [[Kent]], and the approaches to London.
As international tensions rose in the late 1930s, Britain's Anti-Aircraft (AA) defences were strengthened with new [[Royal Artillery]] (RA) regiments. 37th AA Brigade was raised on 1 May 1938, with its HQ at [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]] in North London, to control some of these AA units in the London area. It was commanded by [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier]] Edward William Gravatt Wilson, [[Military Cross|MC]], appointed 29 September 1938, who after he left in 1940 went on to be AA Defence Commander (AADC) Egypt.<ref name = Frederick>Frederick, pp. 1048–51.</ref><ref>''Monthly Army List'', May 1939.</ref><ref>Farndale, Annex J.</ref><ref>[http://www.generals.dk/general/Wilson/Edward_William_Gravatt/Great_Britain.html Wilson at Generals of WWII.]</ref> In 1939 37th AA Brigade joined the newly formed [[6th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|6th AA Division]] based at [[Uxbridge]], which had responsibility for air defence of the [[Thames Estuary]], [[Essex]] and North [[Kent]], and the approaches to London.


===Order of Battle 1939===
===Order of Battle 1939===
On formation, 37th AA Bde had the following composition:<ref name = BMH39>[http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/6-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1939-.pdf 6 AA Division 1939 at British Military History.]</ref><ref>Routledge, Table LVIII, p. 376.</ref>
On formation, 37th AA Bde had the following composition:<ref name=BMH39>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/6-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1939-.pdf |title=6 AA Division 1939 at British Military History. |access-date=6 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221143/http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/6-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1939-.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>Routledge, Table LVIII, p. 376.</ref>


* [[7th Battalion, Essex Regiment|59th (The Essex Regiment) AA Regiment, RA]] – ''converted in 1935 from 5th Bn [[Essex Regiment]]''<ref>[http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page22.html 59 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041457/http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page22.html |date=2016-03-04 }}</ref><ref name = Litchfield70>Litchfield, pp. 70–1.</ref>
* [[7th Battalion, Essex Regiment|59th (The Essex Regiment) AA Regiment, RA]] – ''converted in 1935 from 5th Bn [[Essex Regiment]]''<ref>[https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/59-the-essex-regiment-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata 59 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref name = Litchfield70>Litchfield, pp. 70–1.</ref>
** HQ at [[Walthamstow]]
** HQ at [[Walthamstow]]
** 164th Anti-Aircraft Battery at Walthamstow
** 164th Anti-Aircraft Battery at Walthamstow
** 167th Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Leyton]]
** 167th Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Leyton]]
** 265th Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Whipps Cross]] – ''newly-raised before 3 September 1939''
** 265th Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Whipps Cross]] – ''newly-raised before 3 September 1939''
* [[Finsbury Rifles|61st (Middlesex) AA Regiment, RA]] – ''converted in 1935 from 11th Bn [[London Regiment]] (Finsbury Rifles)''<ref>[http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page24.html 61 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref name = Litchfield177>Litchfield, p. 177.</ref>
* [[Finsbury Rifles|61st (Middlesex) AA Regiment, RA]] – ''converted in 1935 from [[Finsbury Rifles|11th Battalion, the London Regiment]] (Finsbury Rifles)''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/61-middlesex-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=61 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref><ref name = Litchfield177>Litchfield, pp. 177–8.</ref>
** HQ at [[Pentonville]]
** HQ at [[Pentonville]]
** 170th Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Finchley]]
** 170th Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Finchley]]
** 171st Anti-Aircraft Battery at Pentonville
** 171st Anti-Aircraft Battery at Pentonville
** 195th Anti-Aircraft Battery at Finchley – ''newly-raised before 3 September 1939''
** 195th Anti-Aircraft Battery at Finchley – ''newly-raised before 3 September 1939''
* [[79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) AA Regiment, RA]] – ''converted in 1938 from 343 (Watford) Field Battery from [[86th (East Anglian) (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery|86th (East Anglian) (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regt, RA)]]''<ref name=79HAA>[http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page42.html 79 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110359/http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page42.html |date=2015-09-24 }}</ref><ref name = Litchfield104>Litchfield, p. 104.</ref><ref>Sainsbury, pp. 27–34.</ref>
* [[79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) AA Regiment, RA]] – ''converted in 1938 from 343 (Watford) Field Battery from [[86th (East Anglian) (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery|86th (East Anglian) (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regt, RA)]]''<ref name=79HAA>[https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/79-hertfordshire-yeomanry-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata 79 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref name = Litchfield104>Litchfield, p. 104.</ref><ref>Sainsbury, pp. 27–34.</ref>
** HQ at [[Watford]]
** HQ at [[Watford]]
** 246th (1st Watford) Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 246th (1st Watford) Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 247th (2nd Watford) Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 247th (2nd Watford) Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 248th (Welwyn) Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Welwyn Garden City]]
** 248th (Welwyn) Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Welwyn Garden City]]
* [[82nd (Essex) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|82nd (Essex) AA Regiment, RA]] – ''raised in 1938''<ref name = 82HAA>[http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page45.html 82 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref name = Litchfield71>Litchfield, p. 71.</ref>
* [[82nd (Essex) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|82nd (Essex) AA Regiment, RA]] – ''raised in 1938''<ref name = 82HAA>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/82-essex-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=82 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45. }}</ref><ref name = Litchfield70/>
** HQ at [[Barking]]
** HQ at [[London Borough of Barking and Dagenham|Barking]]
** 156th (Barking) Anti-Aircraft Battery – ''transferred from [[52nd (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|52nd (London) AA Regiment, RA]]
** 156th (Barking) Anti-Aircraft Battery – ''transferred from [[52nd (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|52nd (London) AA Regiment, RA]]''
** 193rd Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Leigh-on-Sea]] –''transferred from 59th (Essex) AA Regiment''
** 193rd Anti-Aircraft Battery at [[Leigh-on-Sea]] –''transferred from 59th (Essex) AA Regiment''
** 256th (Barking) Anti-Aircraft Battery – ''newly raised before 3 September 1939''
** 256th (Barking) Anti-Aircraft Battery – ''newly raised before 3 September 1939''
Line 57: Line 59:
==Mobilisation==
==Mobilisation==
[[Anti-Aircraft Command]], which had been formed within the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] earlier in the year, mobilised in late August 1939 and was at its stations before war was declared on 3 September. By then, a further newly formed regiment had been added to 37th AA Bde's order of battle:<ref>[http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=6697&page=1 AA Command 3 September 1939 at Patriot Files]</ref><ref>Routledge, Table LX, p. 378.</ref>
[[Anti-Aircraft Command]], which had been formed within the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] earlier in the year, mobilised in late August 1939 and was at its stations before war was declared on 3 September. By then, a further newly formed regiment had been added to 37th AA Bde's order of battle:<ref>[http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=viewarticle&artid=6697&page=1 AA Command 3 September 1939 at Patriot Files]</ref><ref>Routledge, Table LX, p. 378.</ref>
* [[90th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|90th AA Regiment, RA]]<ref name = Litchfield177/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/90-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=90 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>

* [[90th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|90th AA Regiment, RA]]<ref name = Litchfield177/><ref>[http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page53.html 90 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref>
** HQ at [[Southgate, London]]
** HQ at [[Southgate, London]]
** 272nd Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 272nd Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 284th Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 284th Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 285th Anti-Aircraft Battery
** 285th Anti-Aircraft Battery

In January 1940, 79th (Herts Yeomanry) AA Rgt was detached from the brigade and joined [[3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|3rd AA Bde]] on the lines of communication for the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] in France. After the [[Dunkirk Evacuation]] the regiment was assigned to a different formation in the UK.<ref name = 79HAA/><ref name = Litchfield104/><ref>Joslen, p. 462.</ref><ref>[http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-I.html Ellis, Appendix I.]</ref><ref>Sainsbury, pp. 50–71.</ref>

In April 1940, 82nd (Essex) AA Rgt was detached from the brigade and served in the [[Norway Campaign]]; after evacuation from Norway it was sent to join the garrison of [[Gibraltar]].<ref name = 82HAA/><ref name = Litchfield71/><ref>Derry, Appendix B.</ref><ref>Joslen, p. 461.</ref>

In the summer of 1940, all the RA units equipped with the older [[QF 3-inch 20 cwt|3-inch]] or newer [[QF 3.7-inch AA gun|3.7-inch]] AA guns were designated as Heavy AA (HAA) regiments to distinguish them from the newer Light AA (LAA) regiments appearing in the order of battle.


==Phoney War==
==Phoney War==
37th AA Bde deployed and operated a layout from [[Dagenham]] to [[Thorpe Bay]] in Essex, along the north side of the [[Thames Estuary]], known as 'Thames North'. Thames North had a planned layout of 20 HAA sites, of which only half were occupied by September 1940. It also contained a number of Vital Points (VPs) where LAA guns were deployed, including [[Purfleet]] ([[Gunpowder magazine#Purfleet.2C Essex|ammunition stores]], including the entire AA ammunition supply for the London area<ref name= Osborne>Osborne, p. 101.</ref>), [[Tilbury]] ([[Port of Tilbury|docks]]), [[Thameshaven]] and [[Coryton Refinery]] (oil refineries), and a major fighter airfield at [[RAF Hornchurch]].<ref>Routledge, p. 388.</ref> All equipment was short, especially 40&nbsp;mm [[Bofors gun]]s for the LAA sites: Purfleet started the war with one quadruple [[Vickers gun]], later receiving five Bofors batteries.<ref name= Osborne/><ref>Routledge, p. 59.</ref>
37th AA Bde deployed and operated a layout from [[Dagenham]] to [[Thorpe Bay]] in Essex, along the north side of the [[Thames Estuary]], known as 'Thames North'. Thames North had a planned layout of 20 HAA sites, of which only half were occupied by September 1940. It also contained a number of Vital Points (VPs) where LAA guns were deployed, including [[Purfleet]] ([[Gunpowder magazine#Purfleet.2C Essex|ammunition stores]], including the entire AA ammunition supply for the London area<ref name= Osborne>Osborne, p. 101.</ref>), [[Tilbury]] ([[Port of Tilbury|docks]]), [[Thameshaven]] and [[Coryton Refinery]] (oil refineries), and a major fighter airfield at [[RAF Hornchurch]].<ref>Routledge, p. 388.</ref> All equipment was short, especially 40&nbsp;mm [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors gun]]s for the LAA sites: Purfleet started the war with one quadruple [[Vickers gun]], later receiving five Bofors batteries.<ref name= Osborne/><ref>Routledge, p. 59.</ref>


Opportunities for action were rare during the [[Phoney War]], but on the night of 22/23 November 1939 the HAA guns of 37 AA Bde ('Thames North') combined with those of [[28th (Thames and Medway) Anti-Aircraft Brigade|28 (Thames & Medway) AA Bde]] on the other bank of the river ('Thames South') to engage at least two enemy mine-laying aircraft that had strayed into the mouth of the Estuary. One wrecked aircraft was found on the marshes.<ref>Routledge, pp. 374–5.</ref>
Opportunities for action were rare during the [[Phoney War]], but on the night of 22/23 November 1939 the HAA guns of 37 AA Bde ('Thames North') combined with those of [[28th (Thames and Medway) Anti-Aircraft Brigade|28 (Thames & Medway) AA Bde]] on the other bank of the river ('Thames South') to engage at least two enemy mine-laying aircraft that had strayed into the mouth of the Estuary. One wrecked aircraft was found on the marshes.<ref>Routledge, pp. 374–5.</ref>


On 26 December 1939, 79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt was ordered to prepare to proceed overseas as a Base Defence Regiment for the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]]. The regiment was withdrawn from AA Command on 16 January 1940 and in February and March it was deployed around [[Le Havre]]. A fortnight after the [[Dunkirk evacuation]], the regiment was evacuated from St Nazaire. It did not return to 37 AA Bde.<ref>Sainsbury, pp. 51–71.</ref>
On 26 December 1939, 79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt was ordered to prepare to proceed overseas as a Base Defence Regiment for the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]]. The regiment was withdrawn from AA Command on 16 January 1940 and in February and March it was deployed around [[Le Havre]]. A fortnight after the [[Dunkirk evacuation]], the regiment was evacuated from St Nazaire. It did not return to 37 AA Bde.<ref name = 79HAA/><ref name = Litchfield104/><ref>Sainsbury, pp. 51–71.</ref><ref>Joslen, p. 462.</ref><ref>[http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-I.html Ellis, Appendix I.]</ref><ref>Sainsbury, pp. 50–71.</ref>

In April 1940, 82nd (Essex) AA Rgt was detached from the brigade and served in the [[Norway Campaign]]; after evacuation from Norway it was sent to join the garrison of [[Gibraltar]].<ref name = 82HAA/><ref name = Litchfield70/><ref>Derry, Appendix B.</ref><ref>Joslen, p. 461.</ref>

In the summer of 1940, all the RA units equipped with the older [[QF 3-inch 20 cwt|3-inch]] or newer [[QF 3.7-inch AA gun|3.7-inch]] AA guns were designated as Heavy AA (HAA) regiments to distinguish them from the newer Light AA (LAA) regiments appearing in the order of battle.


==Battle of Britain==
==Battle of Britain==
Line 88: Line 87:


===Order of Battle 1940–41===
===Order of Battle 1940–41===
During the [[Battle of Britain]] and subsequent [[London Blitz]], 37 AA Bde had the following order of battle.<ref name = BMH40>[http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/6-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1940-.pdf 6 AA Division 1940 at British Military History.]</ref><ref>[http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/home/page53.html 6 AA Division at RA 39–45.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003139/http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/home/page53.html |date=2016-03-04 }}</ref><ref>Routledge, Table LXV, p. 396.</ref><ref>Farndale, Annex D, p. 258.</ref><ref>Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 12 May 1941, with amendments, [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives (TNA), Kew]], file WO 212/79.</ref>
During the [[Battle of Britain]] and subsequent [[London Blitz]], 37 AA Bde had the following order of battle.<ref name=BMH40>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/6-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1940-.pdf# |title=6 AA Division 1940 at British Military History. |access-date=6 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221145/http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/6-Anti-Aircraft-Division-1940-.pdf# |archive-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/air-defence-great-britain/6-anti-aircraft-division 6 AA Division at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref>Routledge, Table LXV, p. 396.</ref><ref>Farndale, Annex D, p. 258.</ref><ref>Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 12 May 1941, with amendments, [[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives (TNA), Kew]], file WO 212/79.</ref>

* 59 HAA Rgt – ''as above; to 28 AA Bde summer 1941''
* 59 HAA Rgt – ''as above; to 28 AA Bde summer 1941''
* 61 HAA Rgt – ''as above; left summer 1941''
* 61 HAA Rgt – ''as above; left summer 1941''
* [[1st Cinque Ports Artillery Volunteers|75th (Home Counties) (Cinque Ports) HAA Rgt, RA]] (part) – ''converted in 1938 from 59th (Home Counties) (Cinque Ports) Field Rgt, RA; to [[10th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|10th AA Division]] Spring 1941; rejoined summer 1941''<ref>[http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page38.html 75 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref>Litchfield p. 106.</ref>
* [[1st Cinque Ports Artillery Volunteers|75th (Home Counties) (Cinque Ports) HAA Rgt, RA]] (part) – ''converted in 1938 from 59th (Home Counties) (Cinque Ports) Field Rgt, RA; to [[10th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|10th AA Division]] Spring 1941; rejoined summer 1941''<ref name=75HAA>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/75-home-countiescinque-ports-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=75 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref><ref>Litchfield p. 106.</ref>
** HQ at [[Dover]]
** HQ at [[Dover]]
** 223rd (Kent) HAA Battery
** 223rd (Kent) HAA Battery
Line 101: Line 99:
** 385 HAA Bty
** 385 HAA Bty
** 387, 388 HAA Btys – ''attached direct to 37 AA Bde''
** 387, 388 HAA Btys – ''attached direct to 37 AA Bde''
* [[17th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|17th LAA Rgt, RA]]<ref>[http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/laa/page11.html 17 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref name = Litcfield68>Litchfield, pp. 68–9.</ref>– ''to [[11th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|12th AA Division]] Autumn 1941''
* [[17th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|17th LAA Rgt, RA]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/17-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=17 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref><ref name = Litchfield68>Litchfield, pp. 68–9.</ref> – ''to [[11th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|12th AA Division]] Autumn 1941''
** HQ at [[Chelsea, London]]
** HQ at [[Chelsea, London]]
** 48th LAA Battery at Chelsea
** 48th LAA Battery at Chelsea
Line 112: Line 110:
The Blitz ended in May 1941, but occasional raids continued. Newly-formed AA units joined the division, the HAA units increasingly being 'mixed' ones into which women of the [[Auxiliary Territorial Service]] were integrated. At the same time, experienced units were posted away for service overseas. By December 1941, 37 AA Bde only had 75 HAA Rgt under its command. However, [[29th (East Anglian) Anti-Aircraft Brigade|29 (East Anglian) AA Bde]], which had controlled 6 AA Division's S/L and LAA units in Essex, was disbanded in February 1942 and 37 AA Bde took over its responsibilities as far north as [[The Naze]]. This continual turnover of units, which accelerated in 1942 with the preparations for [[Operation Torch]] and the need to relocate guns to counter the [[Baedeker Blitz]] and the ''[[Luftwaffe]]'''s hit-and-run attacks against South Coast towns.<ref name = Rout399>Routledge, pp. 399–404.</ref><ref name = Orbat80>Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 2 December 1941, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/80.</ref><ref>29 AA Brigade War Diary 1942, TNA file WO 166/7386.</ref>
The Blitz ended in May 1941, but occasional raids continued. Newly-formed AA units joined the division, the HAA units increasingly being 'mixed' ones into which women of the [[Auxiliary Territorial Service]] were integrated. At the same time, experienced units were posted away for service overseas. By December 1941, 37 AA Bde only had 75 HAA Rgt under its command. However, [[29th (East Anglian) Anti-Aircraft Brigade|29 (East Anglian) AA Bde]], which had controlled 6 AA Division's S/L and LAA units in Essex, was disbanded in February 1942 and 37 AA Bde took over its responsibilities as far north as [[The Naze]]. This continual turnover of units, which accelerated in 1942 with the preparations for [[Operation Torch]] and the need to relocate guns to counter the [[Baedeker Blitz]] and the ''[[Luftwaffe]]'''s hit-and-run attacks against South Coast towns.<ref name = Rout399>Routledge, pp. 399–404.</ref><ref name = Orbat80>Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 2 December 1941, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/80.</ref><ref>29 AA Brigade War Diary 1942, TNA file WO 166/7386.</ref>


A reorganisation of AA Command in October 1942 saw the AA divisions disbanded and replaced by a number of AA Groups more closely aligned with the groups of [[RAF Fighter Command]]. 6 AA Division merged into [[2nd Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|2 AA Group]] covering South East England outside the London Inner Artillery Zone and cooperating with No. 11 Group.<ref name = BMH40/><ref name = Rout399/><ref name = Palmer>[http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/Anti-Aircraft-Corps-History-Personnel.pdf Robert Palmer, ''A Concise History of Anti-Aircraft Command (History and Personnel)'' at British Military History.]</ref><ref name = Pile>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38149/page/5973 Pile's despatch.]</ref><ref>[http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/documents.php?aid=171&nid=2&start=5 AA Command 1940 at British Military History]</ref>
A reorganisation of AA Command in October 1942 saw the AA divisions disbanded and replaced by a number of AA Groups more closely aligned with the groups of [[RAF Fighter Command]]. 6 AA Division merged into [[2nd Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|2 AA Group]] covering South East England outside the London Inner Artillery Zone and cooperating with No. 11 Group.<ref name = BMH40/><ref name = Rout399/><ref name=Palmer>[http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/webeasycms/hold/uploads/bmh_document_pdf/Anti-Aircraft-Corps-History-Personnel.pdf Robert Palmer, ''A Concise History of Anti-Aircraft Command (History and Personnel)'' at British Military History.]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name = Pile>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38149/page/5973 Pile's despatch.]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/documents.php?aid=171&nid=2&start=5 |title=AA Command 1940 at British Military History |access-date=21 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205063952/http://www.britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk/documents.php?aid=171&nid=2&start=5 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Order of Battle 1941–43===

During this period the brigade was composed as follows (temporary attachments omitted):<ref>Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 14 May 1942, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/81.</ref><ref>Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 1 October 1942, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/82.</ref><ref>Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 13 March 1943, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/83.</ref>
* [[71st (Forth) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|71st (Forth) HAA Rgt]] – ''from 29 AA Bde May 1942; left July 1942, later to Operation Torch''<ref>Joslen. p. 465.</ref><ref>Routledge, Table XXX, p. 188.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/71-forth-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=71 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 283.</ref>
** 227, 229, 327 HAA Btys
* 75th HAA Rgt – ''left for [[Persia and Iraq Command]] (PAIFORCE) April 1942''<ref name = 75HAA/><ref>Joslen, p. 488.</ref>
** 223, 233, 306 HAA Btys
** 422 HAA Bty – ''to [[127th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|127th HAA Rgt]], 28 AA Bde, April 1942''
* [[84th (Middlesex, London Transport) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|84th HAA Rgt]] – ''joined Spring 1942; to 56 AA Bde August 1942''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/84-middlesex-london-transport-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=84 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref><ref Name = Litchfield177/>
** 260, 262, 263 HAA Btys
* [[86th (Honourable Artillery Company) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|86th (Honourable Artillery Company) HAA Rgt]] – ''joined August 1942; to Home Forces December 1942''<ref>86 (HAC) HAA Rgt War Diary, 1942, TNA file WO 166/7460.</ref><ref>Order of Battle of the Field Force in the United Kingdom, Part 3: Royal Artillery (Non-Divisional Units), 18 February 1943, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/9.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/86-honourable-artillery-company-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=86 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 149.</ref>
** 273, 274, 383, 446 HAA Btys
* [[102nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|102nd HAA Rgt]]– ''joined August 1942; left for [[Middle East Command|Middle East Forces]] (MEF) early 1943''<ref name = Joslen484>Joslen, p. 484.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/102-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=102 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 313.</ref>
** 314, 315, 316 HAA Btys
* [[104th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|104th HAA Rgt]] – ''joined April 1942; to [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily]] (Operation Husky) early 1943''<ref name = Joslen466>Joslen, p. 466.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/104-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=104 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 328, 329, 336 HAA Btys
** 452 HAA Bty – ''joined June 1942; left July 1942''
* [[121st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|121st HAA Rgt]] – ''joined April 1943''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/121-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=121 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 385, 387, 388 HAA Btys
* [[124th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|124th HAA Rgt]] – ''joined early 1943, left May 1943''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/124-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=124 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 219, 410, 412, 415 HAA Btys
* [[131st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|131st HAA Rgt]] – ''joined July 1942, to [[4th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)|4 AA Division]] August 1942''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/131-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=131 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 310, 376, 368, 428 HAA Btys
* [[167th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|167th (Mixed) HAA Rgt]] – ''new unit formed August, joined September 1942''<ref name = FarnM>Farndale, Annex M.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/167-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=167 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 464, 562 HAA Btys
** 610, 639 HAA Btys – ''joined early 1943''
* [[4th (Ulster) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|4th (Ulster) LAA Rgt]] – ''joined June 1942; unbrigaded October 1942, later to [[27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Brigade|27th (Home Counties) AA Bde]]''<ref>Litchfield, p. 310.</ref>
** 7, 8, 10 LAA Boys
** 11 LAA Bty – ''left July 1942''
* [[31st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|31st LAA Rgt]] – ''joined June 1942; unbrigaded August 1942, later to Operation Husky''<ref name = Joslen466/><ref>[https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/31-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata 31 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 302.</ref>
** 61, 101, 224 LAA Boys
** 447 LAA Bty – ''left July 1942''
* [[86th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|86th LAA Rgt]] – ''joined from 56 AA Bde April 1942; to MEF December 1942''<ref name = Joslen484/><ref>[https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/86-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata 86 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref>
** 55, 119, 281, 475 LAA Btys
* [[140th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|140th LAA Rgt]] – ''new unit formed July joined August 1942; left early 1943''<ref name = FarnM/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/140-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=140 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 367, 457, 459, 464 LAA Btys
* [[143rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|143rd LAA Rgt]] – ''new unit formed October, joined early 1943''<ref name = FarnM/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/143-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=143 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 403, 410, 413, 484 LAA Btys
* [[28th (Essex) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|28th (Essex) S/L Rgt]] – ''from 29 AA Bde Spring 1942, to 56 AA Bde June 1942''<ref>[https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/searchlight-regiments/28-essex-searchlight-regiment-rata 28 S/L Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 69.</ref>
** 309, 311, 312, 438 S/L Btys

==Late War==
In 1943 Brig [[Lancelot Perowne]] transferred from [[69th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|69 AA Bde]] to take command of 37 AA Bde. He was a searchlight specialist from the [[Royal Engineers]]. In November 1943 he was sent to [[British Raj|India]] to take over [[23rd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|23rd Infantry Brigade]], which was training for [[Chindit]] operations, and commanded it in the [[Burma Campaign]].<ref>[http://www.generals.dk/general/Perowne/Lancelot_Edgar_Connop_Mervyn/Great_Britain.html Perowne at Generals of World War II.]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.burmastar.org.uk/stories/60-and-80-column-chindits-1944/ |title=Thomas Joesbury, '60 and 80 Column Chindits 1944' at Burma Star Association. |access-date=20 May 2018 |archive-date=20 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520054815/https://www.burmastar.org.uk/stories/60-and-80-column-chindits-1944/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Capt Lancelot Edgar Conhop Mervyn Perowne, 'The training of the anti-aircraft searchlight spotter', ''The Royal Engineers Journal'', September 1938, listed in [https://aim25.com/cgi-bin/vcdf/detail?coll_id=210&inst_id=21&nv1=browse&nv2=sub].</ref>

===Order of Battle 1943–44===
In the summer of 1943, 37 AA Bde came under the command of [[1st Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|1 AA Group]], which now controlled the 'Thames North' defences. It gave up its existing regiments and acquired new ones from within 1 AA Group, so that by early September it had the following order of battle.<ref>Order of Battle of AA Command, 1 August 1943, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/84.</ref>
* [[184th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|184th (Mixed) HAA Rgt]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/184-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=184 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 616, 617, 625, 627 HAA Btys
* [[6th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment, Royal Artillery|6th (Mixed) AA 'Z' Regiment]]<ref>[https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/anti-aircraft-z-regiments/6-anti-aircraft-z-regiment-ra 6 AA 'Z' Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref>
** 123, 145, 179, 187 Z Btys
** 221 Z Bty – ''left by April 1944''

[[File:The_British_Army_in_the_United_Kingdom_1939-45_H10791.jpg|thumb|right|Loading a mobile multiple 4-inch Z projector.]]
'Z' Regiments were equipped with [[Z Battery]] rocket launchers; in April 1944 they were renamed AA Area Mixed Rgts.

There were few changes in the brigade's order of battle over the next year:

* 167th (M) HAA Rgt – ''returned May 1944''
** 464, 562, 610 HAA Btys
* [[137th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|137th LAA Rgt]] – ''joined January 1944''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/137-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=137 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 326 LAA Bty – ''[[26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade|26 (London) AA Bde]] May 1944''
** 376 LAA Bty
** 462, 468 LAA Btys – ''left by March 1944''
** 205, 420 LAA Btys – ''joined May 1944''

By March 1944 AA Command was being forced to release manpower for the planned Allied invasion of continental Europe ([[Operation Overlord]]), and a number of units and subunits were disbanded.

==Operation Diver==
[[File:V1london.jpg|thumb|right|V-1 falling over London, 1944.]]
The ''Luftwaffe'' began a new bombing campaign against London in early 1944 (the [[Baby Blitz]]). By now the night fighter defences, the London Inner Artillery Zone (IAZ) and Thames Estuary defences were well organised and the attackers suffered heavy losses for relatively small results. More significant were the [[V-1 flying bombs]], codenamed 'Divers', which began to be launched against London from Northern France soon after [[D-Day]]. These presented AA Command's biggest challenge since the Blitz. Defences had been planned against this new form of attack ([[Operation Diver]]), but it presented a severe problem for AA guns, and after two weeks' experience AA Command carried out a major reorganisation, stripping guns from the London IAZ and other parts of the UK and repositioning them along the South Coast to target V-1s coming in over the English Channel, where a 'downed' V-1 would cause no damage. As the launching sites were overrun by [[21st Army Group]], the ''Luftwaffe'' switched to air-launching V-1s over the North Sea, so 1 AA Group had to redeploy again to the east of London.<ref name = Pile/><ref name = Rout408>Routledge pp. 408–21.</ref>

[[File:Fieseler_Fi103_debajo_de_un_Heinkel_111.jpg|thumb|left|V-1 slung under the wing of a [[Heinkel He 111]] bomber.]]
New HAA sites had to be quickly established, with static guns mounted on ingenious 'Pile Platforms' (named after the commander of AA Command, [[Frederick Alfred Pile|Sir Frederick Pile]]) and thousands of huts moved and re-erected to shelter the crews as winter approached. AA Command formed a new [[9th Anti-Aircraft Group (United Kingdom)|9 AA Group]] to take over the 'Diver' defences in [[East Anglia]] and 37 AA Bde moved to this new formation in December 1944. At this time, its order of battle was:<ref name = Orbat85>Order of Battle of AA Command, 27 April 1944, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/85</ref><ref name = Rout408/>
[[File:The_British_Army_in_the_United_Kingdom_1939-45_H39948.jpg|thumb|right|3.7-inch HAA battery in action near London 29 August 1944]]

===Order of Battle 1944–45===
* 82nd (Essex) HAA Rgt – ''rejoined December 1944''
** 156, 193, [[228th (Edinburgh) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery|228 (Edinburgh)]], 256 HAA Btys
* 124th HAA Rgt – ''rejoined March 1945''
** 219, 410, 412 HAA Btys
* [[142nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|142nd (M) HAA Rgt]] – ''joined September 1944''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/142-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=142 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 477, 488, 534 HAA Btys
** 464 HAA Bty – ''joined November 1944''
* [[154th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|154th (M) HAA Rgt]] – ''joined February 1945''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/154-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=154 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 522, 526, 539 HAA Btys
* [[155th (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|155th (M) HAA Rgt]] – ''joined September, left December 1944''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/155-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=155 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 525, 531, 537, 579 HAA Btys
* [[157th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|157th HAA Rgt]] – ''joined February, left March 1945''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/157-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=157 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 415, 430, 438 HAA Btys
* [[159th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|159th (M) HAA Rgt]] – ''joined February 1945''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/159-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=159 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 529, 542, 534 HAA Btys
* 167th (M) HAA Rgt – ''left November 1944''
** 464, 562, 610 HAA Btys
* 184th (M) HAA Rgt – ''left February 1945''
** 616, 617, 625 HAA Btys
** 627 HAA Bty – ''left December 1944''
[[File:The_British_Army_in_the_United_Kingdom_1939-45_H40794.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Nissen hut]] being erected at an AA site, November 1944.]]
* [[189th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|189th HAA Rgt]] – ''joined February 1945''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/189-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=189 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 413, 434, 440 HAA Btys
* [[197th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|197th HAA Rgt]] – ''joined November 1944; left February 1945'' <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/197-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=197 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 603, 604, 605 HAA Btys
* [[81st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|81st LAA Rgt]] – ''joined October 1944; left February 1945''<ref>[https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/81-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata 81 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.]</ref>
** 199, 261 LAA Btys
* [[97th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|97th LAA Rgt]] – ''joined October 1944; left February 1945''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/97-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=97 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 232, 301, 480 LAA Boys
* [[Cornwall Fortress Royal Engineers#131st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment.2C RA|131st LAA Rgt]] – ''joined February, left April 1945''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/light-anti-aircraft-regiments/131-light-anti-aircraft-regiment-rata |title=131 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
** 432, 433, 434 LAA Btys
* 137th LAA Rgt – ''left December 1944''
** 205, 376, 420 LAA Boys
* 6th AA Area Mixed Rgt – ''to 26 (London) AA Bde August 1944''


By October 1944, the brigade's HQ establishment was 9 officers, 8 male other ranks and 25 members of the ATS, together with a small number of attached drivers, cooks and mess orderlies (male and female). In addition, the brigade had a Mixed Signal Office Section of 1 officer, 5 male other ranks and 19 ATS, which was formally part of the Group signal unit.<ref>AA Command Organisation Table, October–November 1944, TNA file WO 212/148.</ref>
By October 1944, the brigade's HQ establishment was 9 officers, 8 male other ranks and 25 members of the ATS, together with a small number of attached drivers, cooks and mess orderlies (male and female). In addition, the brigade had a Mixed Signal Office Section of 1 officer, 5 male other ranks and 19 ATS, which was formally part of the Group signal unit.<ref>AA Command Organisation Table, October–November 1944, TNA file WO 212/148.</ref>


After [[VE Day]], 9 AA Group was disbanded and 37 AA Bde returned to 1 AA Group. AA Command was rapidly run down and many units disbanded as men and women were [[Demobilization|demobilised]]. By late June 1945, 37 AA Bde's order of battle was as follows:<ref name = Orbat85/>
==Postwar==
* [[4th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|4th HAA Rgt]] – ''returned from North Africa''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/heavy-anti-aircraft-regiments/4-heavy-anti-aircraft-regiment-ra |title=4 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.}}</ref>
When the TA was reconstituted in 1947, 37 AA Bde was reorganised as '''63 (North London) AA Brigade''', with its HQ at London NW1 (still in 1 AA Group), with the following composition:<ref>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/aa-brigades-67-106.html 67–106 AA Bdes at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 333.</ref>
** 5, 6, 258 HAA Btys
* 82nd (Essex) HAA Rgt
** 156, 193, 228, 256 HAA Btys
* 124th HAA Rgt
** 219, 410, 412 HAA Btys
* [[143rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|143rd (M) HAA Rgt]]
** 494, 495 HAA Btys


==Postwar==
When the TA was reconstituted on 1 January 1947, 37 AA Bde's Regular Army units reformed [[11th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|11 AA Bde]] at [[Shoeburyness]], while the TA portion was renumbered as '''63 (North London) AA Brigade''',{{efn|The TA AA brigades were now numbered 51 and upwards, rather than 26 and upwards as in the 1930s; the wartime [[63rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|63rd AA Bde]] was reorganised as [[16th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|16 AA Bde]].}} with its HQ at London NW1 (still in 1 AA Group), with the following composition:<ref name = Frederick/><ref>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/aa-brigades-67-106.html 67–106 AA Bdes at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 333.</ref>
* 461 (Mobile) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – ''the former 61st (Middlesex) HAA Rgt, see above''<ref name = Litchfield177/><ref name = Brit444>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/444-473-regiments.html 444–473 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref>
* 461 (Mobile) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – ''the former 61st (Middlesex) HAA Rgt, see above''<ref name = Litchfield177/><ref name = Brit444>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/444-473-regiments.html 444–473 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref>
* 479 (Mobile) (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt – ''the former 79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt, see above, transferred from [[56th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|82 AA Bde]]''<ref>Sainsbury, pp. 227–38.</ref>
* 479 (Mobile) (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt – ''the former 79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt, see above, transferred from [[56th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)|82 AA Bde]]''<ref>Sainsbury, pp. 227–38.</ref>
* 484 (Mixed) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – ''the former [[84th (Middlesex, London Transport) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery|84th (Middlesex, London Transport) HAA Rgt]]''<ref name = Litchfield177/><ref name = Brit474>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/474-519-regiments.html 474–519 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref>
* 484 (Mixed) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – ''the former 84th (Middlesex, London Transport) HAA Rg, see above''<ref name = Litchfield177/><ref name = Brit474>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/474-519-regiments.html 474–519 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref>
* 490 (Mixed) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – ''the former 90th HAA Rgt, see above''<ref name = Litchfield177/><ref name = Brit474/>
* 490 (Mixed) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – ''the former 90th HAA Rgt, see above''<ref name = Litchfield177/><ref name = Brit474/>


When AA Command was disbanded in 1955, all of 63 AA Bde's units were also disbanded, but the brigade HQ was retained, first designated as '''X AA Bde''', then redesignated as '''33 AA Bde''', with its HQ at [[Shepherd's Bush]]. It had no connection with the wartime [[33rd (Western) Anti-Aircraft Brigade|33rd (Western) AA Bde]] based on [[Merseyside]], but had the following composition:<ref name = Brit30>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/aa-brigades-67-106.html 30–66 AA Bdes at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref>
When AA Command was disbanded in 1955, all of 63 AA Bde's units were also disbanded, but the brigade HQ was retained, first designated as '''X AA Bde''', then redesignated as '''33 AA Bde''', with its HQ at [[Shepherd's Bush]].{{efn|It had no connection with the wartime [[33rd (Western) Anti-Aircraft Brigade|33rd (Western) AA Bde]] based on [[Merseyside]].}} It had the following composition:<ref name = Frederick/><ref name = Brit30>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/aa-brigades-67-106.html 30–66 AA Bdes at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref>

* 452 (London) HAA Rgt – ''the former 52nd (London) HAA Rgt''<ref name = Brit444/><ref>Litchfield, p. 164.</ref>
* 452 (London) HAA Rgt – ''the former 52nd (London) HAA Rgt''<ref name = Brit444/><ref>Litchfield, p. 164.</ref>
* 459 (Essex) HAA Rgt – ''the former 59th (Essex Regiment) HAA Rgt, see above'''<ref name = Litchfield70/><ref name = Brit444/>
* 459 (Essex) HAA Rgt – ''the former 59th (Essex Regiment) HAA Rgt, see above'''<ref name = Litchfield70/><ref name = Brit444/>
* [[Norfolk Yeomanry|284 (1st East Anglian) LAA Rgt]]<ref>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/266-288-regiments.html 266–288 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 185.</ref>
* [[Norfolk Yeomanry|284 (1st East Anglian) LAA Rgt]]<ref>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/266-288-regiments.html 266–288 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.]</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 185.</ref>
* [[Finsbury Rifles|512 (Finsbury Rifles) LAA Rgt]] – ''descended from the former 61st (Middlesex) HAA Rgt', see above''<ref name = Brit474/><ref>Litchfield, p. 168–9.</ref>
* [[Finsbury Rifles|512 (Finsbury Rifles) LAA Rgt]] – ''descended from the former 61st (Middlesex) HAA Rgt', see above''<ref name = Brit474/><ref>Litchfield, p. 168–9.</ref>
* 517 (Essex) LAA Rgt – ''the former 17th LAA Rgt, see above'''<ref name = Litcfield68/>
* 517 (Essex) LAA Rgt – ''the former 17th LAA Rgt, see above'''<ref name = Litchfield68/>
* [[36th (Middlesex) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|571 (9th Bn Middlesex Regiment) LAA Rgt]]<ref>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/564-591-regiments.html 564–591 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110025402/http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/564-591-regiments.html |date=2016-01-10 }}</ref><ref>Litchfield, p. 178.</ref>
* [[36th (Middlesex) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery|571 (9th Bn Middlesex Regiment) LAA Rgt]]<ref>[http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/564-591-regiments.html 564–591 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110025402/http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/territorial-army-royal-artillery/564-591-regiments.html |date=2016-01-10 }}</ref><ref name = Litchfield177/>


It may have formed part of [[London District (British Army)|London District]].
It may have formed part of [[London District (British Army)|London District]].


On 1 May 1961, 33 AA Bde was amalgamated with HQ [[56th (London) Infantry Division]] as '''33 Artillery Brigade'''. It was disbanded when the TA was reduced in 1967.<ref name = Brit30/>
On 1 May 1961, 33 AA Bde was amalgamated with HQ [[56th (London) Infantry Division]] as '''33 Artillery Brigade'''. It was disbanded when the TA was reduced in 1967.<ref name = Frederick/><ref name = Brit30/>


==Preserved sites==
==Preserved sites==
Line 144: Line 261:


::TO COMMEMORATE/ THE ASSOCIATION WITH THIS CHURCH OF THE/ OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND/ OTHER RANKS OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF/ ARTILLERY AND THE AUXILIARY TERRITORIAL/ SERVICE FROM THE GUNSITE NEARBY WHICH WAS/ MANNED CONTINUOUSLY BY PERSONNEL FROM/ THE 37TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT BRIGADE THROUGHOUT/ THE WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945
::TO COMMEMORATE/ THE ASSOCIATION WITH THIS CHURCH OF THE/ OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND/ OTHER RANKS OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF/ ARTILLERY AND THE AUXILIARY TERRITORIAL/ SERVICE FROM THE GUNSITE NEARBY WHICH WAS/ MANNED CONTINUOUSLY BY PERSONNEL FROM/ THE 37TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT BRIGADE THROUGHOUT/ THE WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945

==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}


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


==References==
==References==
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-Defence-UK/index.html Basil Collier, ''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Defence of the United Kingdom'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1957.]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-Defence-UK/index.html Basil Collier, ''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Defence of the United Kingdom'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1957.]
* T. K. Derry, ''History of the Second World War: The Campaign in Norway'', London, HM Stationery Office, 1952.
* T. K. Derry, ''History of the Second World War: The Campaign in Norway'', London, HM Stationery Office, 1952.
* [[Lionel Ellis|Major L. F. Ellis]], ''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/index.html The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940]'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1954
* Maj [[Lionel Ellis|L. F. Ellis]], ''History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/index.html The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940]'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1954
* [[Martin Farndale|General Sir Martin Farndale]], ''History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Years of Defeat: Europe and North Africa, 1939–1941'', Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1988/London: Brasseys, 1996, {{ISBN|1-85753-080-2}}.
* Gen Sir [[Martin Farndale]], ''History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: The Years of Defeat: Europe and North Africa, 1939–1941'', Woolwich: Royal Artillery Institution, 1988/London: Brasseys, 1996, {{ISBN|1-85753-080-2}}.
* J.B.M. Frederick, ''Lineage Book of British Land Forces 1660–1978'', Vol II, Wakefield, Microform Academic, 1984, {{ISBN|1-85117-009-X}}.
* Lt-Col H. F. Joslen, ''Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945'', London: HM Stationery Office, 1960/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2003, {{ISBN|1-843424-74-6}}.
* {{Joslen-OOB}}
* Norman E. H. Litchfield, ''The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges)'', Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992, {{ISBN|0-9508205-2-0}}.
* Norman E. H. Litchfield, ''The Territorial Artillery 1908–1988 (Their Lineage, Uniforms and Badges)'', Nottingham: Sherwood Press, 1992, {{ISBN|0-9508205-2-0}}.
* Mike Osborne, ''20th Century Defences in Britain: The London Area'', Market Deeping: Concrete Publications, 2006, {{ISBN|0-95403785-5}}.
* Mike Osborne, ''20th Century Defences in Britain: The London Area'', Market Deeping: Concrete Publications, 2006, {{ISBN|0-95403785-5}}.
* [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38149/page/5973 Sir Frederick Pile's despatch: 'The Anti-Aircraft Defence of the United Kingdom from 28th July, 1939, to 15th April, 1945' ''London Gazette'' 18 December 1947.]
* [https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38149/page/5973 Sir Frederick Pile's despatch: "The Anti-Aircraft Defence of the United Kingdom from 28th July, 1939, to 15th April, 1945" ''London Gazette'' 18 December 1947.]
* Brig N. W. Routledge, ''History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914–55'', London: Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's, 1994, {{ISBN|1-85753-099-3}}.
* Brig N. W. Routledge, ''History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914–55'', London: Royal Artillery Institution/Brassey's, 1994, {{ISBN|1-85753-099-3}}.
* Col J.D. Sainsbury, ''The Hertfordshire Yeomanry Regiments, Royal Artillery, Part 2: The Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1938–1945 and the Searchlight Battery 1937–1945; Part 3: The Post-war Units 1947–2002'', Welwyn: Hertfordshire Yeomanry and Artillery Trust/Hart Books, 2003, {{ISBN|0-948527-06-4}}.
* Col J.D. Sainsbury, ''The Hertfordshire Yeomanry Regiments, Royal Artillery, Part 2: The Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment 1938–1945 and the Searchlight Battery 1937–1945; Part 3: The Post-war Units 1947–2002'', Welwyn: Hertfordshire Yeomanry and Artillery Trust/Hart Books, 2003, {{ISBN|0-948527-06-4}}.
Line 166: Line 287:
* [http://www.generals.dk Generals of World War II]
* [http://www.generals.dk Generals of World War II]
* [http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=listarticles&secid=17 Orders of Battle at Patriot Files]
* [http://www.patriotfiles.com/index.php?name=Sections&req=listarticles&secid=17 Orders of Battle at Patriot Files]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140806195614/http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index.html The Royal Artillery 1939–45]
* [https://ra39-45.co.uk The Royal Artillery 1939–45]
* [http://www.iwm.org.uk/node/5361 UK War Memorials Archive]
* [http://www.iwm.org.uk/node/5361 UK War Memorials Archive]
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
Line 174: Line 295:
[[Category:Anti-Aircraft brigades of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Anti-Aircraft brigades of the British Army in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in London]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in London]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1967]]

Latest revision as of 05:55, 2 June 2022

37th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
63 (North London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
33 Artillery Brigade
Active1 May 1938–1967
Land Vereinigtes Königreich
Branch Territorial Army
TypAnti-Aircraft Brigade
Artillery Brigade
RoleAir Defence
Part of6th AA Division
2 AA Group
1 AA Group
9 AA Group
Garrison/HQEdmonton
Shepherd's Bush
EngagementsBattle of Britain
The Blitz
Baby Blitz
Operation Diver
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Brig Lancelot Perowne

The 37th Anti-Aircraft Brigade was an air defence formation of Britain's Territorial Army (TA) formed just before the outbreak of the Second World War. It was engaged in defending the Thames Estuary during the war, and continued to form part of Anti-Aircraft Command in the postwar era.

Origin

[edit]
6 AA Division's formation sign

As international tensions rose in the late 1930s, Britain's Anti-Aircraft (AA) defences were strengthened with new Royal Artillery (RA) regiments. 37th AA Brigade was raised on 1 May 1938, with its HQ at Edmonton in North London, to control some of these AA units in the London area. It was commanded by Brigadier Edward William Gravatt Wilson, MC, appointed 29 September 1938, who after he left in 1940 went on to be AA Defence Commander (AADC) Egypt.[1][2][3][4] In 1939 37th AA Brigade joined the newly formed 6th AA Division based at Uxbridge, which had responsibility for air defence of the Thames Estuary, Essex and North Kent, and the approaches to London.

Order of Battle 1939

[edit]

On formation, 37th AA Bde had the following composition:[5][6]

Mobilisation

[edit]

Anti-Aircraft Command, which had been formed within the Territorial Army earlier in the year, mobilised in late August 1939 and was at its stations before war was declared on 3 September. By then, a further newly formed regiment had been added to 37th AA Bde's order of battle:[15][16]

Phoney War

[edit]

37th AA Bde deployed and operated a layout from Dagenham to Thorpe Bay in Essex, along the north side of the Thames Estuary, known as 'Thames North'. Thames North had a planned layout of 20 HAA sites, of which only half were occupied by September 1940. It also contained a number of Vital Points (VPs) where LAA guns were deployed, including Purfleet (ammunition stores, including the entire AA ammunition supply for the London area[18]), Tilbury (docks), Thameshaven and Coryton Refinery (oil refineries), and a major fighter airfield at RAF Hornchurch.[19] All equipment was short, especially 40 mm Bofors guns for the LAA sites: Purfleet started the war with one quadruple Vickers gun, later receiving five Bofors batteries.[18][20]

Opportunities for action were rare during the Phoney War, but on the night of 22/23 November 1939 the HAA guns of 37 AA Bde ('Thames North') combined with those of 28 (Thames & Medway) AA Bde on the other bank of the river ('Thames South') to engage at least two enemy mine-laying aircraft that had strayed into the mouth of the Estuary. One wrecked aircraft was found on the marshes.[21]

On 26 December 1939, 79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt was ordered to prepare to proceed overseas as a Base Defence Regiment for the British Expeditionary Force. The regiment was withdrawn from AA Command on 16 January 1940 and in February and March it was deployed around Le Havre. A fortnight after the Dunkirk evacuation, the regiment was evacuated from St Nazaire. It did not return to 37 AA Bde.[11][12][22][23][24][25]

In April 1940, 82nd (Essex) AA Rgt was detached from the brigade and served in the Norway Campaign; after evacuation from Norway it was sent to join the garrison of Gibraltar.[14][8][26][27]

In the summer of 1940, all the RA units equipped with the older 3-inch or newer 3.7-inch AA guns were designated as Heavy AA (HAA) regiments to distinguish them from the newer Light AA (LAA) regiments appearing in the order of battle.

Battle of Britain

[edit]

By 11 July 1940, the Thames North AA layout operated by 37 AA Bde had a total of 46 HAA guns (3.7-inch and 4.5-inch).[28]

The brigade was heavily engaged throughout the Battle of Britain. On 22 August, for example, a mass raid flew up the Thames Estuary to attack RAF Hornchurch on the Essex shore: the raid was broken up by 37 and 28 AA Bdes, and then the fighters of No. 11 Group RAF attacked. Follow-up raids were marked for the fighters by 'pointer' rounds of HAA fire. On 2 September another mass raid arrived over the Medway and flew up the Thames towards Hornchurch. They came under heavy fire from the 3.7s and 4.5s of 28 and 37 AA Bdes and 15 were shot down before the fighters took over. On 7 September heavy raids up the estuary attacked oil wharves at Thameshaven, Tilbury Docks and Woolwich Arsenal: a total of 25 aircraft were destroyed by AA guns and fighters.[29][30]

On 15 September, remembered as the climax of the battle, 220 bombers attacked London in the morning despite heavy casualties inflicted by the RAF fighters. More attacks came in the afternoon and the AA guns around London, particularly 37 AA Bde, were continuously in action. Between the guns and fighters, the Luftwaffe lost 85 aircraft that day, an unsustainable rate of loss.[29][31]

The Blitz

[edit]

After 15 September the intensity of Luftwaffe day raids declined rapidly, and it began a prolonged night bombing campaign over London and industrial towns (The Blitz).[32] This meant that 37 AA Bde was in action night after night as the bomber streams approached the London Inner Artillery Zone, but even with the assistance of searchlights (S/Ls), the effectiveness of HAA fire and fighters was greatly diminished in the darkness.[33]

Order of Battle 1940–41

[edit]

During the Battle of Britain and subsequent London Blitz, 37 AA Bde had the following order of battle.[34][35][36][37][38]

Mid-War

[edit]

The Blitz ended in May 1941, but occasional raids continued. Newly-formed AA units joined the division, the HAA units increasingly being 'mixed' ones into which women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service were integrated. At the same time, experienced units were posted away for service overseas. By December 1941, 37 AA Bde only had 75 HAA Rgt under its command. However, 29 (East Anglian) AA Bde, which had controlled 6 AA Division's S/L and LAA units in Essex, was disbanded in February 1942 and 37 AA Bde took over its responsibilities as far north as The Naze. This continual turnover of units, which accelerated in 1942 with the preparations for Operation Torch and the need to relocate guns to counter the Baedeker Blitz and the Luftwaffe's hit-and-run attacks against South Coast towns.[43][44][45]

A reorganisation of AA Command in October 1942 saw the AA divisions disbanded and replaced by a number of AA Groups more closely aligned with the groups of RAF Fighter Command. 6 AA Division merged into 2 AA Group covering South East England outside the London Inner Artillery Zone and cooperating with No. 11 Group.[34][43][46][47][48]

Order of Battle 1941–43

[edit]

During this period the brigade was composed as follows (temporary attachments omitted):[49][50][51]

Late War

[edit]

In 1943 Brig Lancelot Perowne transferred from 69 AA Bde to take command of 37 AA Bde. He was a searchlight specialist from the Royal Engineers. In November 1943 he was sent to India to take over 23rd Infantry Brigade, which was training for Chindit operations, and commanded it in the Burma Campaign.[80][81][82]

Order of Battle 1943–44

[edit]

In the summer of 1943, 37 AA Bde came under the command of 1 AA Group, which now controlled the 'Thames North' defences. It gave up its existing regiments and acquired new ones from within 1 AA Group, so that by early September it had the following order of battle.[83]

Loading a mobile multiple 4-inch Z projector.

'Z' Regiments were equipped with Z Battery rocket launchers; in April 1944 they were renamed AA Area Mixed Rgts.

There were few changes in the brigade's order of battle over the next year:

  • 167th (M) HAA Rgt – returned May 1944
    • 464, 562, 610 HAA Btys
  • 137th LAA Rgt - joined January 1944[86]
    • 326 LAA Bty – 26 (London) AA Bde May 1944
    • 376 LAA Bty
    • 462, 468 LAA Btys – left by March 1944
    • 205, 420 LAA Btys – joined May 1944

By March 1944 AA Command was being forced to release manpower for the planned Allied invasion of continental Europe (Operation Overlord), and a number of units and subunits were disbanded.

Operation Diver

[edit]
V-1 falling over London, 1944.

The Luftwaffe began a new bombing campaign against London in early 1944 (the Baby Blitz). By now the night fighter defences, the London Inner Artillery Zone (IAZ) and Thames Estuary defences were well organised and the attackers suffered heavy losses for relatively small results. More significant were the V-1 flying bombs, codenamed 'Divers', which began to be launched against London from Northern France soon after D-Day. These presented AA Command's biggest challenge since the Blitz. Defences had been planned against this new form of attack (Operation Diver), but it presented a severe problem for AA guns, and after two weeks' experience AA Command carried out a major reorganisation, stripping guns from the London IAZ and other parts of the UK and repositioning them along the South Coast to target V-1s coming in over the English Channel, where a 'downed' V-1 would cause no damage. As the launching sites were overrun by 21st Army Group, the Luftwaffe switched to air-launching V-1s over the North Sea, so 1 AA Group had to redeploy again to the east of London.[47][87]

V-1 slung under the wing of a Heinkel He 111 bomber.

New HAA sites had to be quickly established, with static guns mounted on ingenious 'Pile Platforms' (named after the commander of AA Command, Sir Frederick Pile) and thousands of huts moved and re-erected to shelter the crews as winter approached. AA Command formed a new 9 AA Group to take over the 'Diver' defences in East Anglia and 37 AA Bde moved to this new formation in December 1944. At this time, its order of battle was:[88][87]

3.7-inch HAA battery in action near London 29 August 1944

Order of Battle 1944–45

[edit]
  • 82nd (Essex) HAA Rgt – rejoined December 1944
  • 124th HAA Rgt – rejoined March 1945
    • 219, 410, 412 HAA Btys
  • 142nd (M) HAA Rgt - joined September 1944[89]
    • 477, 488, 534 HAA Btys
    • 464 HAA Bty – joined November 1944
  • 154th (M) HAA Rgt - joined February 1945[90]
    • 522, 526, 539 HAA Btys
  • 155th (M) HAA Rgt - joined September, left December 1944[91]
    • 525, 531, 537, 579 HAA Btys
  • 157th HAA Rgt - joined February, left March 1945[92]
    • 415, 430, 438 HAA Btys
  • 159th (M) HAA Rgt - joined February 1945[93]
    • 529, 542, 534 HAA Btys
  • 167th (M) HAA Rgt – left November 1944
    • 464, 562, 610 HAA Btys
  • 184th (M) HAA Rgt – left February 1945
    • 616, 617, 625 HAA Btys
    • 627 HAA Bty – left December 1944
A Nissen hut being erected at an AA site, November 1944.
  • 189th HAA Rgt - joined February 1945[94]
    • 413, 434, 440 HAA Btys
  • 197th HAA Rgt - joined November 1944; left February 1945 [95]
    • 603, 604, 605 HAA Btys
  • 81st LAA Rgt - joined October 1944; left February 1945[96]
    • 199, 261 LAA Btys
  • 97th LAA Rgt - joined October 1944; left February 1945[97]
    • 232, 301, 480 LAA Boys
  • 131st LAA Rgt - joined February, left April 1945[98]
    • 432, 433, 434 LAA Btys
  • 137th LAA Rgt – left December 1944
    • 205, 376, 420 LAA Boys
  • 6th AA Area Mixed Rgt – to 26 (London) AA Bde August 1944

By October 1944, the brigade's HQ establishment was 9 officers, 8 male other ranks and 25 members of the ATS, together with a small number of attached drivers, cooks and mess orderlies (male and female). In addition, the brigade had a Mixed Signal Office Section of 1 officer, 5 male other ranks and 19 ATS, which was formally part of the Group signal unit.[99]

After VE Day, 9 AA Group was disbanded and 37 AA Bde returned to 1 AA Group. AA Command was rapidly run down and many units disbanded as men and women were demobilised. By late June 1945, 37 AA Bde's order of battle was as follows:[88]

  • 4th HAA Rgt - returned from North Africa[100]
    • 5, 6, 258 HAA Btys
  • 82nd (Essex) HAA Rgt
    • 156, 193, 228, 256 HAA Btys
  • 124th HAA Rgt
    • 219, 410, 412 HAA Btys
  • 143rd (M) HAA Rgt
    • 494, 495 HAA Btys

Postwar

[edit]

When the TA was reconstituted on 1 January 1947, 37 AA Bde's Regular Army units reformed 11 AA Bde at Shoeburyness, while the TA portion was renumbered as 63 (North London) AA Brigade,[a] with its HQ at London NW1 (still in 1 AA Group), with the following composition:[1][101][102]

  • 461 (Mobile) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – the former 61st (Middlesex) HAA Rgt, see above[10][103]
  • 479 (Mobile) (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt – the former 79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) HAA Rgt, see above, transferred from 82 AA Bde[104]
  • 484 (Mixed) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – the former 84th (Middlesex, London Transport) HAA Rg, see above[10][105]
  • 490 (Mixed) HAA Rgt (Middlesex) – the former 90th HAA Rgt, see above[10][105]

When AA Command was disbanded in 1955, all of 63 AA Bde's units were also disbanded, but the brigade HQ was retained, first designated as X AA Bde, then redesignated as 33 AA Bde, with its HQ at Shepherd's Bush.[b] It had the following composition:[1][106]

It may have formed part of London District.

On 1 May 1961, 33 AA Bde was amalgamated with HQ 56th (London) Infantry Division as 33 Artillery Brigade. It was disbanded when the TA was reduced in 1967.[1][106]

Preserved sites

[edit]

As an example of the defences operated under 37 AA Bde, HAA site TN13 (Thames North 13) still survives at Bowaters Farm, about 1200 yards (1100 m) from the coastal defence battery at Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury. It was begun in August 1939 as a sandbag battery for mobile 3.7-inch guns. By mid-1940 this had been replaced by four permanent emplacements for 4.5-inch guns. Later in the war four further emplacements for radar-controlled 5.25-inch guns were added. The HAA guns were supported by an AA searchlight and sound-locator stationed on the jetty at Coalhouse Fort. This exposed position was defended by a Lewis gun, but was frequently strafed by enemy fighters. A second AA searchlight was positioned on the old river wall near the north caponier of Coalhouse Fort. (There were separate searchlights installed at the fort to direct the coastal guns.)[112][113]

Memorial

[edit]

There is a memorial to 37 AA Bde at St Augustine's Church, Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-Sea, which reads:[114]

TO COMMEMORATE/ THE ASSOCIATION WITH THIS CHURCH OF THE/ OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND/ OTHER RANKS OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF/ ARTILLERY AND THE AUXILIARY TERRITORIAL/ SERVICE FROM THE GUNSITE NEARBY WHICH WAS/ MANNED CONTINUOUSLY BY PERSONNEL FROM/ THE 37TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT BRIGADE THROUGHOUT/ THE WORLD WAR 1939 - 1945

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ The TA AA brigades were now numbered 51 and upwards, rather than 26 and upwards as in the 1930s; the wartime 63rd AA Bde was reorganised as 16 AA Bde.
  2. ^ It had no connection with the wartime 33rd (Western) AA Bde based on Merseyside.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Frederick, pp. 1048–51.
  2. ^ Monthly Army List, May 1939.
  3. ^ Farndale, Annex J.
  4. ^ Wilson at Generals of WWII.
  5. ^ "6 AA Division 1939 at British Military History" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  6. ^ Routledge, Table LVIII, p. 376.
  7. ^ 59 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.
  8. ^ a b c d Litchfield, pp. 70–1.
  9. ^ "61 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Litchfield, pp. 177–8.
  11. ^ a b 79 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45.
  12. ^ a b Litchfield, p. 104.
  13. ^ Sainsbury, pp. 27–34.
  14. ^ a b "82 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  15. ^ AA Command 3 September 1939 at Patriot Files
  16. ^ Routledge, Table LX, p. 378.
  17. ^ "90 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  18. ^ a b Osborne, p. 101.
  19. ^ Routledge, p. 388.
  20. ^ Routledge, p. 59.
  21. ^ Routledge, pp. 374–5.
  22. ^ Sainsbury, pp. 51–71.
  23. ^ Joslen, p. 462.
  24. ^ Ellis, Appendix I.
  25. ^ Sainsbury, pp. 50–71.
  26. ^ Derry, Appendix B.
  27. ^ Joslen, p. 461.
  28. ^ Farndale, p. 106.
  29. ^ a b Routledge, pp. 385–6.
  30. ^ Farndale, p. 109.
  31. ^ Farndale, p. 110.
  32. ^ Collier, Appendices XXX–XXXII.
  33. ^ Routledge, pp. 387–95.
  34. ^ a b "6 AA Division 1940 at British Military History" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  35. ^ 6 AA Division at RA 39–45.
  36. ^ Routledge, Table LXV, p. 396.
  37. ^ Farndale, Annex D, p. 258.
  38. ^ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 12 May 1941, with amendments, The National Archives (TNA), Kew, file WO 212/79.
  39. ^ a b "75 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  40. ^ Litchfield p. 106.
  41. ^ "17 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  42. ^ a b Litchfield, pp. 68–9.
  43. ^ a b Routledge, pp. 399–404.
  44. ^ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 2 December 1941, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/80.
  45. ^ 29 AA Brigade War Diary 1942, TNA file WO 166/7386.
  46. ^ Robert Palmer, A Concise History of Anti-Aircraft Command (History and Personnel) at British Military History.[permanent dead link]
  47. ^ a b Pile's despatch.
  48. ^ "AA Command 1940 at British Military History". Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  49. ^ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 14 May 1942, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/81.
  50. ^ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 1 October 1942, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/82.
  51. ^ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 13 March 1943, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/83.
  52. ^ Joslen. p. 465.
  53. ^ Routledge, Table XXX, p. 188.
  54. ^ "71 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  55. ^ Litchfield, p. 283.
  56. ^ Joslen, p. 488.
  57. ^ "84 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  58. ^ 86 (HAC) HAA Rgt War Diary, 1942, TNA file WO 166/7460.
  59. ^ Order of Battle of the Field Force in the United Kingdom, Part 3: Royal Artillery (Non-Divisional Units), 18 February 1943, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/9.
  60. ^ "86 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  61. ^ Litchfield, p. 149.
  62. ^ a b Joslen, p. 484.
  63. ^ "102 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  64. ^ Litchfield, p. 313.
  65. ^ a b Joslen, p. 466.
  66. ^ "104 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  67. ^ "121 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  68. ^ "124 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  69. ^ "131 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  70. ^ a b c Farndale, Annex M.
  71. ^ "167 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  72. ^ Litchfield, p. 310.
  73. ^ 31 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.
  74. ^ Litchfield, p. 302.
  75. ^ 86 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.
  76. ^ "140 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  77. ^ "143 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  78. ^ 28 S/L Rgt at RA 39–45.
  79. ^ Litchfield, p. 69.
  80. ^ Perowne at Generals of World War II.
  81. ^ "Thomas Joesbury, '60 and 80 Column Chindits 1944' at Burma Star Association". Archived from the original on 20 May 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  82. ^ Capt Lancelot Edgar Conhop Mervyn Perowne, 'The training of the anti-aircraft searchlight spotter', The Royal Engineers Journal, September 1938, listed in [1].
  83. ^ Order of Battle of AA Command, 1 August 1943, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/84.
  84. ^ "184 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  85. ^ 6 AA 'Z' Rgt at RA 39–45.
  86. ^ "137 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  87. ^ a b Routledge pp. 408–21.
  88. ^ a b Order of Battle of AA Command, 27 April 1944, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/85
  89. ^ "142 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  90. ^ "154 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  91. ^ "155 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  92. ^ "157 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  93. ^ "159 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  94. ^ "189 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  95. ^ "197 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  96. ^ 81 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45.
  97. ^ "97 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  98. ^ "131 LAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  99. ^ AA Command Organisation Table, October–November 1944, TNA file WO 212/148.
  100. ^ "4 HAA Rgt at RA 39–45".
  101. ^ 67–106 AA Bdes at British Army Units 1945 on.
  102. ^ Litchfield, p. 333.
  103. ^ a b c 444–473 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.
  104. ^ Sainsbury, pp. 227–38.
  105. ^ a b c 474–519 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.
  106. ^ a b 30–66 AA Bdes at British Army Units 1945 on.
  107. ^ Litchfield, p. 164.
  108. ^ 266–288 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on.
  109. ^ Litchfield, p. 185.
  110. ^ Litchfield, p. 168–9.
  111. ^ 564–591 Rgts RA at British Army Units 1945 on. Archived 2016-01-10 at the Wayback Machine
  112. ^ Osborne, pp. 102–3.
  113. ^ Smith, pp. 26–7.
  114. ^ War Memorials Archive Ref 45804.

References

[edit]

External sources

[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=37th_Anti-Aircraft_Brigade_(United_Kingdom)&oldid=1091099577"