4 Anti-Aircraft Brigade was formed in March 1940 at Camberley, Surrey. It joined the BEF in France just before the Germans launched their offensive in early May. The Brigade moved to the Middle East in October 1940. It became part of the Tobruk Garrison, staying there after the relief and being captured at the second siege. 4 Anti-Aircraft Brigade was re-formed in Persia (Iran) in August 1942 and served there until May 1944, being disbanded shortly after.
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.
Mar 40 | Camberley, Surrey | | Formed |
May 40 | France | | GHQ BEF |
May 40 | Tournai, Belgium | | GHQ BEF |
May 40 | Templeuve, France | | GHQ BEF |
May 40 | Dunkirk, France | | GHQ BEF |
Oct 40 | Cairo, Egypt | | British Troops Egypt |
Jan 41 | Mersa Matruh, Egypt | | 13 Corps |
Apr 41 | Tobruk, Libya | | Tobruk Garrison |
Jun 42 | Tobruk, Libya – captured | | |
Aug 42 | Persia (Iran) Reformed | | PAIForce |
May 44 | Disbanded 1 July 1944 | | Middle East Forces |
Order of Battle May 1940
4 Anti-Aircraft Regiment (1, 3, 27 Batteries) |
21 Anti-Aircraft Battery from 8 AA Regiment |
220 Anti-Aircraft Battery from 85 AA Regiment |
1 Independent Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
52 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (154, 155, 156 Batteries) |
Order of Battle January 1941
51 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (152, 153 Batteries)(16/2 HAA Battery attached) |
13 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (37, 38 Batteries)(155/52 LAA Battery attached) |
1 Independent Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
Detachment from 5 Independent Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
B Squadron Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry as an Anti-Aircraft/Searchlight Battery |
Order of Battle April 1941 – Tobruk early
HQ 4 Anti-Aircraft Brigade |
Harbour Area |
RHQ 13 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
152/51 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery |
153/51 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery |
235/89 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery |
40/14 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
B Squadron Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry as a Searchlight Battery |
2 Troops of 306/27 Searchlight Battery |
Gun Operations Room |
51 HAA Workshop RAOC |
51 HAA Signals Section R Sigs |
Perimeter Area |
RHQ 14 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
1 Troop of 38/13 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
39/13 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
57/14 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
1 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
8 Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
13 LAA Workshop RAOC |
13 LAA Signals Section R Sigs |
Order of Battle 21 June 1942 – Tobruk on capture
HQ 4 Anti-Aircraft Brigade |
68 (North Midland) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (277 Battery)(282/88 Battery attached) |
5 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
107/27 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
A & B Troops 43/61 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery |
135 Z Battery |
Detachments from 305/27 Searchlight Battery |
5 Gun Operations Room |
4 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Signals R Sigs |
4 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company RASC |
4 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Workshop RAOC |
Order of Battle August 1942
75 (Home Counties)(Cinque Ports) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
80 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
99 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – sent forward as Divisional troops |
100 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment – sent forward as Divisional troops |