56 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA)

56 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) was formed as a duplicate of 52 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Oswaldtwistle, in June 1939. The Regiment took part in the Norway campaign. It moved to North Africa in July 1942 and to Italy in September 1943. The Regiment was placed in suspended animation in March 1945. 56 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) was re-constituted as 556 (East Lancashire) 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   Home Forces Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, UK
Apr 40   6 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Norway
Jun 40   Home Forces Dunfermline, Fife, UK
Jan 41 8 Armd Div 56 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) 8 Support Group UK
Jul 42 8 Armd Div 56 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) 8 Support Group N Africa
Jul 42 8 Armd Div 56 (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA (TA) 8 Armoured Division N Africa
Nov 42 10 Corps 42 10 Corps, 8 Army N Africa
May 43 Allied Forces HQ Allied Forces HQ N Africa
Sep 43 8 Army 8 Army Italy
Apr 44 US 5 Army US 5 Army, 62 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Italy
Mar 45   Suspended animation  

 

Batteries

Sep 39 166, 167, 168

 

Equipment

Apr 40 Bofors 40 mm

 

The Royal Artillery 1939-45