Created on the 1 November 1940, it took responsibility for Western Scotland and Northern Ireland from 3 Anti-Aircraft Division. Like the other Anti-Aircraft Corps and Divisions, it was disbanded and replaced on 1 October 1942 by a new Anti-Aircraft Group structure.
12 Anti-Aircraft Division amalgamated with 3 and 7 Anti-Aircraft Divisions to form the 6 Anti-Aircraft Group, based at Edinburgh. Northern Ireland became the 7 Anti-Aircraft Group based at Belfast
HQ Glasgow
Order of Battle 1940–41
3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Northern Ireland District
102 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
66 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised Dec 40 from Light Anti-Aircraft batteries of 102 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
90 Searchlight Regiment – new unit raised Mar 41
91 Searchlight Regiment – new unit raised Mar 41
42 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Clyde Estuary
83 (Blythswood) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
100 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
111 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised Oct 40
123 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised Feb 41
18 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
60 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised November 1940; to the 63 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 41
63 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – West Scotland
60 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 42 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 41
57 (Cameronians) Searchlight Regiment
66 Searchlight Regiment – to the 8 Anti-Aircraft Division by Feb 41
86 Searchlight Regiment – new unit raised Jan 41
11 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – Divisional Z Battery rocket unit formed Jan 41
Order of Battle 1941–42
3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
1 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division Jul 41
102 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to the 6 Anti-Aircraft Division by Oct 42
111 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 42 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 41
66 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
81 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 42 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Oct 42
84 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 63 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42; to 9 Anti-Aircraft Division by Oct 42
90 Searchlight Regiment
91 Searchlight Regiment – converted into 114 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Jan 42; then to 4 Anti-Aircraft Division
42 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
59 (Essex Regiment) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Summer 41; returned by Dec 41
60 (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 11 Anti-Aircraft Division by Dec 41; to 57 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
73 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 7 Anti-Aircraft Division May 41; to War Office Reserve Sep 41; later to Middle East Forces
83 (Blythswood) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to War Office Reserve Jun 41; later to 10 Army in Iraq
100 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 57 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
111 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 41
123 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 7 Anti-Aircraft Division by Dec 41
126 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised Jul 41; to 9 Anti-Aircraft Division Sep 42
130 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised Aug 41
147 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment– from 51 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Sep 42
155 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 57 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42; unbrigaded unit Sep 42
170 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised Aug 42
The Division was created in 1939 to control the anti-aircraft defences of North East England, Yorkshire and Humberside. It took over brigades from 2 Anti-Aircraft Division and 3 Anti-Aircraft Division
When Anti-Aircraft Command re-organised in October 1942, 7 Anti-Aircraft Division was split between 5 and 6 Anti-Aircraft Groups
HQ Newcastle upon Tyne
Order of Battle 1939–40
30 (Northumbrian) Anti-Aircraft Brigade at Sunderland – from 2 Anti-Aircraft Division
63 (Northumbrian) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from medium artillery 1936
64 (Northumbrian) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from medium artillery 1936
87 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – raised Apr 39
37 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – searchlight unit
5th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (53 Searchlight Regiment) – converted from infantry 1938
31 (North Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade at York – from 2 Anti-Aircraft Division
66 (Leeds Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from infantry 1936
96 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – raised April 1939
43 (Duke of Wellington’s Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – Searchlight unit converted from infantry 1936
49 (West Yorkshire Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – Searchlight unit converted from infantry 1936
39 Anti-Aircraft Brigade at RAF Digby – from 2 Anti-Aircraft Division; did not actually transfer
62 (Northumbrian) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from field artillery 1936
67 (York and Lancaster Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from infantry 1936
91 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – raised Apr 39
40 (Sherwood Foresters) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – Searchlight unit converted from infantry 1936
46 (Lincolnshire Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – Searchlight unit converted from infantry 1936
43 Anti-Aircraft Brigade at West Hartlepool – from 3 Anti-Aircraft Division
85 (Tees) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – raised 1938
47 (Durham Light Infantry) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – Searchlight unit converted from infantry 1936
1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (54 Searchlight Regiment) – Searchlight unit converted from infantry 1938
63 (Northumbrian) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for War Office Control Dec 41 before embarking for Ceylon
64 (Northumbrian) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Apr 42 before joining Operation Torch
135 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised in Oct 41
136 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined from 2 Anti-Aircraft Division Apr 42; returned Jun 42
146 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised in Jan 42; left May 42
153 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised in Mar 42
37 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for Middle East Jun 41
50 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Feb 42
68 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 43 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 42; left Jun 42
124 (Highland) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from 51 Searchlight Regiment and joined May 42
7 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – to 43 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Feb 42
36 (Scottish) Anti-Aircraft Brigade covering Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth – joined from 3 Anti-Aircraft Division Aug 42
114 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
129 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
158 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
135 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
43 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
8 (Belfast) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for GHQ Reserve Nov 41 before embarking for India
73 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for 12 Anti-Aircraft Division May 41
72 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for 3 Anti-Aircraft Division Summer 41
123 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised in Feb 41
145 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised in Jan, joined Apr 42
31 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from Orkney and Shetland Defences Jun 42; left for 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
41 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for War Office Control Apr 42 before embarking for Middle East
136 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised in Feb 42; joined Jun 42
53 (Royal Northumberland Fusiliers) Searchlight Regiment – to 30 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
57 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
46 (Lincolnshire) Searchlight Regiment – left for 3 Anti-Aircraft Division Dec 41
47 (Durham Light Infantry) Searchlight Regiment – left for conversion to 122 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Feb 42
55 (Durham Light Infantry) Searchlight Regiment – left for conversion to 113 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Jan 42
56 (5th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)) Searchlight Regiment – joined from 3 Anti-Aircraft Division Dec 41; left for conversion to 125 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Mar 42
(The brigade had no units under command from March to May 1942)
60 (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined from 12 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42; left Jun 42
100 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined from 12 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42; left Jun 42
155 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit raised in Mar 42; joined May, left for 12 Anti-Aircraft Division Aug 42
134 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division Aug 42
4 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – joined from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division Aug 42
The Division was formed at Edinburgh on 1 September 1938 within Scottish Command, transferring to Anti-Aircraft Command when that formation was created on 1 April 1939. It was responsible for the Anti-Aircraft defences of Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Orkney and Shetland Defences (OSDEF).
In August 1942 the Divisional HQ moved south to join 1 Anti-Aircraft Corps and was given control of the 6, 27 (Home Counties) and 47 Anti-Aircraft Brigades. At the end of September 1942, all the Anti-Aircraft Divisional HQs were disbanded and 3 Division merged with 12 Anti-Aircraft Division in the newly formed 6 Anti-Aircraft Group
Order of Battle 1938-39
3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – formed 7 December 1938 at Belfast
3 (Ulster) Searchlight Regiment – formed 1939
8 (Belfast) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed 1939
9 (Londonderry) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed 1939
102 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed at Antrim 10 Sep 39
36 (Scottish) Anti-Aircraft Brigade – formed 1 May 1938 at Edinburgh, responsible for the city of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth
71 (Forth) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed 1938 at Dunfermline
94 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Apr 39 at Turnhouse
101 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Aug 39 at Inverness
42 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – formed 1 October 1938 at Glasgow, responsible for the city of Glasgow and the Firth of Clyde
74 (City of Glasgow) Anti-Aircraft Regiment
83 (Blythswood) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted 1938 from the 7th (Blythswood) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry
100 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed at Motherwell
43 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – formed 1 October 1938 at West Hartlepool. Transferred to 7 Anti-Aircraft Division July 1939
85 (Tees) Anti-Aircraft Regiment
47 (Durham Light Infantry) Anti-Aircraft Battalion RE
51 Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade – formed 25 August 1939 at Edinburgh, originally to command the Light Anti-Aircraft units of the 3 Anti-Aircraft Division, but later assumed responsibility for north east Scotland
14 (West Lothian Royal Scots) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted Aug 38 from part of the 4th/5th Battalion Royal Scots at Linlithgow
18 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Dec 38 at Glasgow
19 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Jan 39 at Edinburgh
31 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Aug 39 at Perth
32 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Aug 39 at Falkirk
52 Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade – formed August 1939 at Stirling with responsibility for searchlight provision across the 3 Anti-Aircraft Division’s sectors
51 (Highland) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – formed in 1938 at Aberdeen
4th/5th Battalion, Royal Scots (52 Searchlight Regiment) – converted 1938 from part of the 4th/5th Battalion in central Edinburgh
5th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (56 Searchlight Regiment) – converted 1938 from 5/8th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) at Glasgow
8th Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (57 Searchlight Regiment) – formed 1 November 1938 by duplication of the above, based in south Glasgow
Order of Battle 1940-41
36 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Edinburgh & Forth
71 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Oct 41
114 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Nov 40
31 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
32 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
51 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – North East Scotland
108 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Aug 40
40 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Sep 39
67 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment– formed Dec 40
52 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Searchlights
51 Searchlight Regiment
52 Searchlight Regiment
56 Searchlight Regiment
Order of Battle 1942
36 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
114 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 51 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
129 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Aug 41
19 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined 1941; left Feb 42
20 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined 1942; left Jun 42
72 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Aug 41; left Apr 42
95 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined from the 51 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
135 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Feb 42; to 52 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
46 (Lincolnshire Regiment) Searchlight Regiment – joined Spring 42
51 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
65 (Manchester Regiment) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined and left Dec 41
100 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Jun 42
101 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Jun 41; left Jun 42
108 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Jun 41
114 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 36 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
40 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – transferred to 51st (Highland) Division May 42
67 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 52 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
95 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Nov 41; to 36 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
131 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Jun 42
52nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
147 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Feb 42
67 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 51 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Spring 42; left Jun 42
135 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 36 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Spring 42
51 Searchlight Regiment – left and became the 124 (Highland) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Feb 42
52 Searchlight Regiment – became the 130 (Queen’s Edinburgh, Royal Scots) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Mar 42 and remained with brigade
56 Searchlight Regiment – left and became the 125 (Cameronians) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Feb 42
The Division was created on 1 November 1940 by taking two Territorial Army brigade areas, the 34 (South Midland) and the 54 Brigades, from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division in North West England and adding a Regular Army headquarters from 1 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, recently returned from the Dunkirk evacuation
Re-organisation of Anti-Aircraft Command in October 1942 saw the divisions disbanded and replaced by a smaller number of Anti-Aircraft Groups. 11 Anti-Aircraft Division merged with 4 Anti-Aircraft Division into 4 Anti-Aircraft Group based at Preston in Lancashire
HQ Birmingham
Order of Battle 1940–41
1 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ Crewe, Cheshire: responsible for Staffordshire, airfields and Vulnerable Points; left by May 41
1 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
106 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
45 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
63 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment raised in October 1940 : to 68 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 41
61 (South Lancashire) Searchlight Regiment
78 Searchlight Regiment
83 Searchlight Regiment – new regiment raised in Jan 41 at Crewe, Cheshire
34 (South Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ Coventry: responsible for Birmingham and Coventry Gun Defended Areas
6 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – arrived from London 24 Nov 40
60 (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
95 (Birmingham) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
110 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment raised in Oct 40
112 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment raised in Oct 40
22 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
54 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands: responsible for Searchlight provision to West Midlands Gun Defended Areas
80 Searchlight Regiment – new regiment raised in Oct 40
10 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – divisional Z Battery rocket unit formed Jan 41
Order of Battle 1941–42
34 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
6 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left in Sep 41 for overseas service; captured in Java, Mar 42
55 (Kent) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 6 Anti-Aircraft Division by Dec 41; to War Office Control Dec 41, left Feb 42 for Persia and Iraq Command (PAIFORCE)
57 (Wessex) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 1 Anti-Aircraft Division Mar 42; to 9 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42
60 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to the 68 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41
65 (Manchester Regiment) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from Orkney and Shetland Defences (OSDEF) Jun 41; to 3 Anti-Aircraft Division Autumn 41
71 (Forth) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 3 Anti-Aircraft Division by Dec 41; to 6 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42
95 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – returned from 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41; left Jan 42, arrived in India Apr 42
107 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 42; to 5 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
110 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to Orkney & Shetland Defences (OSDEF) May 41
122 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed Feb 41; to 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
134 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed Sep 41
142 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
22 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – returned from 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41; to 54 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
42 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Summer 41; to Middle East Forces by Dec 41
10 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – to 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41; returned by Dec 41
54 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
22 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 34 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42; to War Office Control Sep 42; later to Operation Torch
128 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42; to 68 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jul 42
30 (Surrey) Searchlight Regiment – from 10 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 42; to War Office Control Sep 42; later to Operation Torch
45 Searchlight Regiment – converted into 122 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Feb 42, joined 68 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
59 Searchlight Regiment – to Orkney & Shetland Defences (OSDEF) May 41
80 Searchlight Regiment
83 Searchlight Regiment – from 68 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41
67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
95 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 34 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 41, returned Dec 41
122 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 34 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41; to 68 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41
138 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 9 Anti-Aircraft Division Aug 42; to 3 Anti-Aircraft Division Sep 42
142 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Dec 41; to 34 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
22 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 34 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 41; returned by Dec 41
79 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Jul 41; to Persia & Iraq Command (PAIFORCE) by May 42
10 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – from 34 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41; returned by Dec 41
By May 1942, the 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade consisted only of 142 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment; thereafter it was joined by:
119 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 8 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42; to Orkney & Shetland Defences (OS DEF) Sep 42
143 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed Jan 42, joined Jul 42
87 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 8 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42; to unbrigaded Jul 42
128 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from 87 Searchlight Regiment, joined May 42; to 54 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
37 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Searchlight Regiment – from 9 Anti-Aircraft Division Jul 42; returned Sep 42
In June 42, the 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade transferred to the 9 Anti-Aircraft Division, and by October 42 it once again consisted of a single regiment (143 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment ).
68 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
60 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 34 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41; to 12 Anti-Aircraft Division by Sep 41
106 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 1 Anti-Aircraft Brigade ; to 2 Anti-Aircraft Division Summer 41
115 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from Orkney & Shetland Defences (OS DEF) Sep 42
122 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41; to unbrigaded Jul 42
45 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 1 Anti-Aircraft Brigade ; to 2 Anti-Aircraft Division Dec 41
63 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 1 Anti-Aircraft Brigade ; to 70 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jul 42; later to Operation Torch
98 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed by a cadre from 45 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Dec 41; to 4 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 42
122 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 87 Searchlight Regiment, 54 Anti-Aircraft Brigade , May 42; to 6 Anti-Aircraft Division by Sep 42
Created on 1 November 1940, the division was formed by taking two brigade areas (31st and 39th) from the existing 7 Anti-Aircraft Division in North East England, together with a newly formed brigade (62 Brigade), and giving it responsibility for the air defence of East and West Yorkshire and the Humber Estuary.
On re-organisation of Anti-Aircraft Command in October 1942 the division was merged with 2 Anti-Aircraft Division to form 5 Anti-Aircraft Group based at Nottingham.
HQ York
Order of Battle 1940–41
31 (North Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ York: responsible for West Yorkshire
87 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined by May 41
38 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part) – to 2 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41
71 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
43 (Duke of Wellington’s) Searchlight Regiment
49 (West Yorkshire Regiment) Searchlight Regiment
54 (Durham Light Infantry) Searchlight Regiment
39 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ RAF Digby: responsible for airfields and Humber Estuary
62 (Northumbrian) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
91 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
39 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
40 (Sherwood Foresters) Searchlight Regiment
46 (Lincolnshire Regiment) Searchlight Regiment – to 7 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41
84 Searchlight Regiment
62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – responsible for Leeds and Sheffield
75 (Home Counties) (Cinque Ports) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
96 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
117 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed in Dec 40
59 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed in Oct 40
2 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – new divisional unit formed in Sep 40
Order of Battle 1941–42
31 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
12 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from War Office Reserve Aug 42
87 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Anti-Aircraft Command Jun 41; later to Eighth Army
128 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
71 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 65 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
114 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
30 (Surrey) Searchlight Regiment – from 5 Anti-Aircraft Division Oct 41; to 11 Anti-Aircraft Division Jan 42
43rd Searchlight Regiment
49th Searchlight Regiment
54th Searchlight Regiment
39 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
62 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to War Office Control for Operation Torch Feb–Mar 42
91 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Anti-Aircraft Command May 42; later to Middle East Forces
113 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 2 Anti-Aircraft Division Mar 42; to 65 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
152 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
29 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division Feb–Mar 42; to 65 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
39 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 4 Anti-Aircraft Division by Jul 41
78 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed Jun 41; left Anti-Aircraft Command and arrived in India by Aug 42
82 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 2 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 42
121 (Leicestershire Regiment) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
40 Searchlight Regiment
46 Searchlight Regiment – to 3 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 42
84 Searchlight Regiment
2 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – to 65 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – to War Office Control for Operation Torch Aug 42
66 (Leeds Rifles) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from Orkney and Shetland Defences (OSDEF) Jun 41; left Anti-Aircraft Command and arrived in India by May 42
75 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Summer 41
96 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Anti-Aircraft Command by May 42, later to Middle East Forces
117 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 4 Anti-Aircraft Division by Dec 41
128 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed Aug, joined by Dec 41; to 31 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
139 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed Sep 41, joined Jan 42; to 65 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
152 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed Mar 42, to 39 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
59 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Anti-Aircraft Command and arrived in India by Apr 42
121 (Leicestershire Regiment) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from 44 Searchlight Regiment Jan 42; to 39 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
65 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – from 5 Anti-Aircraft Division June 1942
113 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 39 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42; to mobile training Aug 42
139 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
151 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division Jul 42
29 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 39 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42; to War Office Control for Operation Torch Jun 42
71 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 31 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
2 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – from 39 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
Raised on 1 September 1938 in Western Command the division was initially responsible for the industrial areas of the North West and West Midlands of England and North and South Wales. At first it consisted of two brigades, the existing Liverpool-based 33 (Western) Anti-Aircraft Brigade transferred from 2 Anti-Aircraft Division and the newly formed 34 (South Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade based at Coventry. Shortly afterwards, 44 Anti-Aircraft Brigade was formed at Manchester.
At the end of September 1942, Anti-Aircraft Command disbanded the Anti-Aircraft Corps and Divisions and replaced them with new Anti-Aircraft Groups. The responsibilities of 4 Anti-Aircraft Division were taken over by 4 Anti-Aircraft Group, with its HQ at Preston, covering North West England and North Wales.
HQ Chester
Order of Battle 1939
33 (Western) Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ at Liverpool
70 (3rd West Lancashire) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed in 1937 at Aigburth, Liverpool, by conversion of 89 (3rd West Lancashire) Field Brigade, RA
81 Anti-Aircraft Regiment –formed in 1936 at Stalybridge and Stockport by conversion of 60 (Cheshire & Shropshire) Medium Brigade, RA
93 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – raised in 1939 in Birkenhead and Chester
38 (The King’s Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – Searchlight unit formed in 1936 at Liverpool by conversion of the 6th (Rifles) Battalion King’s Regiment (Liverpool)
4th Battalion, The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) (62 Searchlight Regiment) – infantry battalion based at Preston converted into a searchlight unit in 1938
34 (South Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ at Coventry
69 (Royal Warwickshire Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed at Birmingham in 1936 by conversion of the 6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment
73 Anti-Aircraft Regiment – raised at Wolverhampton and West Bromwich in 1938 from batteries drawn from 62 (North Midland) Field and 51 (Midland) Medium Brigades, RA
95 (Birmingham) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – newly raised in April 1939, with one battery from the 73 Anti-Aircraft Regiment
44 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – HQ at Manchester
65th (The Manchester Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed at Hulme in 1936 by conversion of the 6th/7th Battalion. Manchester Regiment
39 (The Lancashire Fusiliers) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – Searchlight unit formed at Salford in 1936 by conversion of the 7th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
71 (East Lancashire) Searchlight Regiment – raised in Manchester in 1938
53 Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Forming at Chester
15 (Isle of Man) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – at Douglas, Isle of Man
21 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – at Liverpool
25 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – at Liverpool
33 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – at Liverpool
54 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – forming at Sutton Coldfield
41 (5th North Staffordshire Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – infantry battalion at Stoke-on-Trent converted to searchlights in 1936
45 (The Royal Warwickshire Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers – infantry battalion at Birmingham converted to searchlights in 1936
59 (Warwickshire) Searchlight Regiment – new unit formed from a battery of the 45 Anti-Aircraft Battalion in 1938
61 (South Lancashire Regiment) Searchlight Regiment – infantry battalion at St Helens converted to searchlights in 1938
Order of Battle 1940-41
33 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Liverpool
103 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed May 40
106 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Aug 40
33 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
41 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment– formed Nov 39
65 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part) – formed Nov 40
44 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Manchester
98 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 5 AA Division Sep 40
115 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Nov 40
54 (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed 1938 by conversion of 9th (Dumbartonshire) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
76 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – formed Feb 41
53 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – North Midlands
39 (Lancashire Fusiliers) Searchlight Regiment
62 (The Loyals) Searchlight Regiment
71 (East Lancashire) Searchlight Regiment
92 Searchlight Regiment – formed May 41
4 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment
13 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – formed Aug 41
Order of Battle 1941–42
33 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
1 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – transferred from 1 Anti-Aircraft Brigade at Crewe; to Northern Ireland Jul 41
93 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to the 44 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jul 42
95 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Sept 42
103 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for mobile training May 42
107 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Autumn 1940, partly from the 103 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment; left Apr 42
117 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined autumn, to 70 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41, returned May, left Aug 42
137 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed November, joined Dec 41, left Sep 42
149 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed February, joined Apr 42
154 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed March, joined May 42
29 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Autumn 41, left Feb 42
33 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Autumn 41
63 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 70 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42 : to War Office control Sep 42
98 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Dec 41, joined February, left May 42
134 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed February, joined June, left Aug 42
4 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – to the 70 Anti-Aircraft Brigade summer, rejoined Autumn 41, left Aug 42
44 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
58 (Kent) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Feb 42, left to join First Army for Operation Torch May 42
70 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left for India Feb 42
81 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – rejoined from Orkney and Shetland Defences (OSDEF), Jun 41; to 70 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41
93 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 70 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jul 41, left for Middle East Aug 42
98 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left May 42
115 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to Orkney & Shetland Defences (OSDEF) Jun 41
151 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed February, joined May, left Jul 42
21 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Autumn 41
39 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Summer 41; to 53 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Autumn 41; rejoined Dec 41; to 53 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jul 42
In December 1935 the 46 (North Midland) Division was disbanded and its headquarters was converted into 2 Anti-Aircraft Division. At first it administered all Anti-Aircraft units in Great Britain outside London and the Home Counties, which were covered by 1 Anti-Aircraft Division. The new division was first organised at York, but shortly afterwards took over 46 Division’s HQ at Normanton, Derby.
When the Anti-Aircraft Corps and Divisions, were disbanded and replaced in October 1942 by a new Anti-Aircraft Group structure, the Midlands and East Anglia including 2 Anti-Aircraft Division’s responsibilities were covered by the 5 Anti-Aircraft Group, headquartered at Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.
HQ York
Order of Battle 1937
Note that at this time Brigades were known as Anti-Aircraft Groups and Regiments as Brigades. Unless noted otherwise the Brigades are gun equipped units.
30 (Northumbrian) Anti-Aircraft Group – organised 1 November 1936 in Sunderland
In the Spring of 1941, The 50 Anti-Aircraft Brigade was split up, keeping the Searchlight regiments while a new 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade took the guns and rockets.
50th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
28 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
42 Searchlight Regiment
50 Searchlight Regiment
66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
67 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
113 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
38 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
64 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
15 AA Z Regiment
Order of Battle 1942
32 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
136 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment formed Oct 41; left Mar–Apr 42; returned Jun 42
45 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 41 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42; left Sep 42
64 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 41 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 42
120 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from Searchlight; joined Sep 42
134 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment joined Feb–Mar 42; left May–Jun 42
41 Searchlight Regiment
44 Searchlight Regiment – to 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41
58th Searchlight Regiment
60 Searchlight Regiment – from 41 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jan 42; left and converted to 126 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Feb–Mar 42
65 Searchlight Regiment
40 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
30 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Dec 41
33 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Dec 41
96 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment joined Dec 41; left by May 42
138 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment joined Jun 42
36 Searchlight Regiment
64 Searchlight Regiment – to 32 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, May–Jun 42
41 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
78 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Apr 42
82 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
106 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42; left Jul 42
128 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Jul 42; left Aug 42
161 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment joined Aug 42
64 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 32 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 42; left Jun 42
113 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from 55 Searchlight Regiment, joined Mar–Apr 42
126 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from 60 Searchlight Regiment, joined May 42
60 Searchlight Regiment – to 32 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jan 42
69 Searchlight Regiment
72 Searchlight Regiment
50 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
144 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
20 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Aug 42
111 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Jul 42
139 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment joined Aug 42; left Sep 42
42 Searchlight Regiment
50 Searchlight Regiment – left May–Jun 42
15 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – from 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
106 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to the 41 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
113 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Mar 42
144 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new regiment joined by May 42; to 50 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
38 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left Dec 41
45 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined by May 42; to 32 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
44 Searchlight Regiment – from 32 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41; left by May 42
15th Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – to 50 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
Created on 1 November 1940, 9 Anti-Aircraft Division was formed by splitting off parts of 5 Anti-Aircraft Division. The Division took over responsibility for South Wales, Gloucestershire, and Herefordshire.
The re-organisation of Anti-Aircraft Command in October 1942 saw the division merged with 5 and 8 Anti-Aircraft Divisions into 3 Anti-Aircraft Group based at Bristol.
HQ Cardiff
Order of Battle 1940–41
5 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – from 5 Anti-Aircraft Division, covering Gloucester and Hereford
85 (Tees) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part) – from France
88 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part)
47 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed from part of 20 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
37 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Searchlight Regiment – from France
45 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – from 5 Anti-Aircraft Division, covering Cardiff and Newport
77 (Welsh) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
85 (Tees) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part)
88 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part)
20 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
34 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part)
1 Searchlight Regiment (part) – from France
67 (Welch Regiment) Searchlight Regiment
61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – formed by splitting 45 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, covering Swansea and Milford Haven
79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from France
34 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part)
1 Searchlight Regiment (part)
Divisional unit
8 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – new divisional unit formed in Sep 40
Order of Battle 1941–42
5 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – to 5 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
52 (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jan 42; left Anti-Aircraft Command Feb 42; to Ceylon
58 (Kent) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Autumn 41; to 4 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 42
85 (Tees) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Autumn 41
143 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Jan 42; to 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
34 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 5 Anti-Aircraft Division (formerly 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade) Mar 42; to 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Apr 42
46 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 12 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
77 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit joined Summer 41; left Anti-Aircraft Command Feb 42; to India
112 (Durham Light Infantry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – converted from 47 (Durham Light Infantry) Searchlight Regiment, joined before May 1942, to 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
37 (TEE) Searchlight Regiment
45 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
77 (Welsh) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left UK Dec 41, captured in Java Mar 42
79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – returned from 8 Anti-Aircraft Division Aug 42; then mobilised and left Anti-Aircraft Command; later to Operation Torch
112 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 8 Anti-Aircraft Division Jul 41; to 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
118 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Dec 40
20 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – began mobilisation as Defended Ports unit Aug 41; to 3 Anti-Aircraft Division Dec 41
44 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 8 Anti-Aircraft Division Autumn 41; unbrigaded by end of 41; to India 42
55 (Devon) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – returned from Norwegian Campaign, part of GHQ Reserve lent to Anti-Aircraft Command; left UK Nov 41, to Ceylon 42
72 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 3 Anti-Aircraft Division before May 42; to 8 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42
112 (Durham Light Infantry) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 42; later to India
37 (Tyne Electrical Engineers) Searchlight Regiment – from 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
67 (Welch) Searchlight Regiment
8 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – to 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Autumn 41; returned Aug 42
12 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – from 8 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 41; to 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Autumn 41
61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
52 (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined Summer 41; to 5 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jan 42
57 (Wessex) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 11 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42; to 8 Army Jun 42
79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 8 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
112 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 45 Anti-Aircraft Brigade May 42
120 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Jan 41; to 1 Anti-Aircraft Division Autumn 41
138 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Nov 41; to 67 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
The division was formed on 1 November 1940 by splitting 5 Anti-Aircraft Division, with the new formation taking responsibility for the City of Bristol and the counties of Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. This area included the Bristol Aeroplane Company factory and airfield at Filton, and the Royal Navy dockyards at Devonport (Plymouth) and Portland.
On re-organisation of Anti-Aircraft Command in October 1942, 8 Anti-Aircraft Division merged with 5 Anti-Aircraft Division into 3 Anti-Aircraft Group based at Bristol
HQ Bristol
Order of Battle 1939-40
46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Bristol
76 (Gloucestershire) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
23 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 5 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41
55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Plymouth and Falmouth, Cornwall
56 (Cornwall) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
118 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (part) – new regiment raised in Dec 40; to 9 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41
58 (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – part deployed at Plymouth, part under 65 Anti-Aircraft Brigade at Southampton; left to join 11 Support Group in May 41
81 Searchlight Regiment – new unit formed in Nov 40 from existing Searchlight Battery of Cornwall Fortress Royal Engineers
82 Searchlight Regiment – new unit formed in Nov 40 from existing Searchlight Battery of Dorset Fortress Royal Engineers
60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Exeter, Yeovil and Portland
104 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
44 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
66 Searchlight Regiment (part)
64 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Airfield sector layout
35 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
2 Searchlight Regiment
3 (Ulster) Searchlight Regiment – converted into 4 (Ulster) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Jan 42
76 Searchlight Regiment
85 Searchlight Regiment – new unit raised in Jan 41
Divisional unit
9 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – formed by 8 Anti-Aircraft Division in Jan 41
Order of Battle 1941-42
46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
59 (Essex Regiment) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Dec 41; to War Office control as part of the field force Mar 42; later to Operation Torch
76 (Gloucestershire) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to the 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
104 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 5 Anti-Aircraft Division in Dec 41
112 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 11 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41; to 9 Anti-Aircraft Division by Dec 41
116 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed in Nov 40; to 55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
119 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 1 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41; to 64 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
133 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Sep 41
140 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Dec 41; to 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 42
150 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Feb 42
165 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Jul 42
36 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 1 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41; to 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41
47 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41; to Operation Torch 1942
66 Searchlight Regiment – to 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41
68 Searchlight Regiment – to 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Summer 41
1 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – from 1 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41, returned by Dec 41
55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
56 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment– left for India in Dec 41
79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 11 Anti-Aircraft Brigade for Jul 42
103 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42
116 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
162 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Jun 42
166 (Mixed) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Aug 42
36 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41; left for India in Apr 42
44 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 9 Anti-Aircraft Division Jan 42 (previously 60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade ); left for India in Mar 42
46 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 9 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41
55 (Devonshire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from War Office Reserve in Apr 42; later to Ceylon
137 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Feb 42
29 (Kent) Searchlight Regiment– from 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Jan 42; to 60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
81 Searchlight Regiment – converted into unbrigaded 131 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Mar 42
82 Searchlight Regiment – to 64 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41
85 Searchlight Regiment – from 64 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41; converted into 132 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in 5 Anti-Aircraft Division in Mar 42
9 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – from 60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade
108 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from Orkney and Shetland Defences (OSDEF) by Sept 42
12 (Finsbury Rifles) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 1 Anti-Aircraft Division by May 41; left Anti-Aircraft Command and joined War Office Reserve Jun 41, later to Persia and Iraq Command (PAIFORCE)
44 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – to 9 Anti-Aircraft Division by Dec 41; then to 55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jan 42
67 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 3 Anti-Aircraft Division by Sept 42
29 (Kent) Searchlight Regiment – from 55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42
74 (Essex Fortress) Searchlight Regiment – from 6 Anti-Aircraft Division Jan 42
76 Searchlight Regiment – from 64 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41; to 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
88 Searchlight Regiment – new unit formed in Mar 41
89 Searchlight Regiment – new unit formed in Mar 41; converted into 133 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Mar 42; to 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade June 42
9 Anti-Aircraft Z Regiment – to 55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
64 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – Left August 1942
98 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 4 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42
119 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41; to 9 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
35 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – left in Nov 41 for Singapore, where it was captured in Feb 42
75 (Middlesex) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – joined from unbrigaded by Dec 41; left in Jul 42, later in invasion of Sicily (Operation Husky)
87 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Oct 41; to 9 Anti-Aircraft Division Jun 42
127 (Queens) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment– converted from 63rd (Queens) Searchlight Regiment, joined Jul 42
2 Searchlight Regiment
3 Searchlight Regiment – to 69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41
76 Searchlight Regiment – to 60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41
82 Searchlight Regiment – from 55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41
85 Searchlight Regiment – to 55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
69 Anti-Aircraft Brigade – new formation joined June 1941
76 (Gloucestershire) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41; to Operation Torch by Nov 42
140 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by May 42
24 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 5 Anti-Aircraft Division; to India 1942
36 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade on formation; to 55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
47 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 9 Anti-Aircraft Division on formation; to 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade by Dec 41
72 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 9 Anti-Aircraft Division May 42; left Jul 42, later in Operation Torch
83 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – new unit formed Aug 41, joined Dec 41; left Jun 42
133 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – from 60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jun 42, to 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Jul 42
3 Searchlight Regiment – from 60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Dec 41; converted into unbrigaded 4 (Ulster) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in Jan 42
66 Searchlight Regiment – from 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade on formation
68 Searchlight Regiment – from 46 Anti-Aircraft Brigade on formation
76 Searchlight Regiment – from 60 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Aug 42
