17 Anti-Aircraft Brigade

17 Anti-Aircraft Brigade was formed in the UK and sent out to Egypt by October 1942. The Brigade was initially held in reserve for 8 Army. With the advance into Libya it then moved up to cover airfields and strategic areas. With the need for air defence diminished by mid 1944, 17 Anti-Aircraft Brigade was disbanded in July 1944.

Note: When a unit designation is two number blocks seperated by a slash (/) this means it is a battery followed by the regiment it is from e.g. 210/73 is 210 Battery from 73 Regiment.

Illustrations of the formation badges under which a unit served or supported are given. This is no guarantee that the unit used this formations badge.

By Oct 42Raised in UK, moved to Egypt8 Army 17 Anti-Aircraft Brigade8 Army
Feb 43Tobruk, LibyaMiddle East Land ForcesGHQ Middle East
Jan 44Tripoli, Benghazi, TobrukMiddle East Land ForcesGHQ Middle East
Jun 44Suez CanalMiddle East Land ForcesGHQ Middle East
July 44Disbanded

Order of Battle October 1942

61 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
87 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
37 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Order of Battle January 1943

61 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (170, 171, 195, 196 Batteries)
87 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (278, 279, 280 Batteries)
30 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (117, 118, 120 Batteries)
34 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (65, 92, 246 Batteries)
200 (Czechoslovak) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (500, 501, 502 Batteries)
300 Searchlight Battery

Order of Battle May 1943

87 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (278, 279, 280 Batteries)
61 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (170, 171, 195, 196 Batteries)
638/191 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
200 (Czechoslovak) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (500, 501, 502 Batteries)
38/13 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
100/52 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery
300 Searchlight Battery

Order of Battle June 1944

4 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
54 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment
38 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
43 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
27 Searchlight Regiment (306, 484 Batteries)
The Royal Artillery 1939-45