79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA)

79 Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA (TA) was formed in November 1938 by expansion of 343 (Watford) Field Battery RA (TA). It was re-designated as 79 Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) in January 1939 and as 79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Anti-Aircraft Regiment in July 1939. In June 1940 it was re-designated as 79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA). It served in France, the UK, Middle East and Italy. The Regiment was placed in suspended animation in March 1945. 79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) was reconstituted as 479 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) in January 1947.

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.

Sep 39 6 AA Div 79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) 6 Anti-Aircraft Division, 37 Anti-Aircraft Brigade South East airfields, UK
Nov 39 Anti-Aircraft Command 79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) Anti-Aircraft Command Felixstowe, Suffolk, UK
Mar 40   3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Le Havre, France
Jun 40   37 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Cherbourg, France
Jul 40 5 AA Div 79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) 5 Anti-Aircraft Division, 45 Anti-Aircraft Brigade South Wales, UK
Nov 40 9 AA Div 79 (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) 9 Anti-Aircraft Division, 61 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Swansea, Glamorgan, UK
Apr 42 War Office War Office Control, 11 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Eastleigh, Hampshire, UK
Jun 42 8 AA Div 8 Anti-Aircraft Division, 55 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Cornwall, UK
Oct 42 War Office War Office Reserve Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, UK
Feb 43 1st Army 1 Army Algeria
Feb 43 1st Army 1 Army, 66 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Philippeville, Algeria
Mar 44 1st Army 1 Army, 52 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Foggia, Italy
Jun 44   Regiment diluted with Basuto’s from the
African Pioneer Corps
Foggia, Italy
Aug 44 US 5 Army US 5 Corps Leghorn, Italy
Oct 44 8 Army 8 Army, 12 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Rimini, Italy
Mar 45   Suspended animation  

Batteries

Sep 39 246 (1st Watford), 247 (2nd Watford), 248 (Welwyn)
Mar 41 246, 247, 248, 398
Aug 41 246, 247, 398, 437
Jun 42 246, 247, 398

Gun Sites Occupied

246 Battery

Date Gun Site Comments Gun Defended Area
Aug 40 P5 Bateman Hill 4 x 3.7 inch Guns Milford Haven
Aug 40 P9 West Pennar 4 x 3.7 inch Guns Milford Haven
Feb 41 N2 Neath (4 guns)
S Mumbles (2 guns)
4 x Guns
2 x Guns
Swansea

247 Battery

Date Gun Site Comments Gun Defended Area
Aug 40 N3 Jersey Marine 8 x 3.7 inch Guns Swansea
Feb 41 U Morriston
N3 Jersey Marine
4 x Guns
4 x Guns
Swansea

248 Battery

Date Gun Site Comments Gun Defended Area
Aug 40 C/J4 Lavernock 2 x 3.7 inch mobile, GL radar Cardiff
Aug 40 A/J2 Mardy Farm 4 x 3 inch mobile
4 x 3.7 inch
Cardiff
Feb 41 T Sketty   Swansea
The Royal Artillery 1939-45