81 Anti-Aircraft Brigade RA(TA) was formed in November 1938 by conversion of 60 (6th Cheshire & Shropshire) Medium Brigade RA(TA). It was re-designated as 81 Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA(TA) in January 1939. In June 1940 it was re-designated as Heavy Anti-Aircraft. The Regiment was placed in suspended animation in August 1944 and reconstituted as 360 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA(TA) in January 1947.
Sep 39 | 44 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 4 Anti-Aircraft Division | Manchester, UK |
Jun 40 | Orkney & Shetland Defences (OSDEF) | Scapa Flow, Orkney, UK |
Jun 41 | 70 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 4 Anti-Aircraft Division | Manchester, UK |
Apr 42 | War Office Reserve | UK |
Aug 42 | 21 Anti-Aircraft Brigade | Suez Canal zone, Egypt |
Aug 44 | Suspended animation |
Batteries
Sep 39 | 253 (Cheshire), 254 (Cheshire), 255 (Cheshire) |
Jun 41 | 253, 254, 255, 416 |
Apr 42 | 253, 254, 255 |
Equipment
Sep 39 | 253 Bty – 2 x 3 inch Guns, 254 Bty – 4 x 3 inch Guns, 15 Lewis Guns (Metropolitan-Vickers factory at Trafford Park) |
Nov 39 | 254 Bty – 32 x Lewis Guns (Metropolitan-Vickers factory at Trafford Park), 255, 416 |