26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade [SEP] military branch
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


and searchlight units covering London and the Home Counties. The 26th AD Bde was reorganised on 16 December 1935 as 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Group, commanding all the gun and searchlight units of the two former brigades, while the 27th was reformed as 27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Group at RAF Kenley, to command new AA units in the South London suburbs. The AA Groups took the more usual formation title of Brigades in 1938 after the Royal Artillery replaced its traditional unit designation 'Brigade' by the
17908264
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade (26 AA Bde) was an Air Defence formation of the British Army during World War II. It defended London during the Blitz. German air raids by Zeppelin airships and Gotha bombers on London and other British cities during World War I had shown the need for strong anti-aircraft (AA) defences in any future war. When the Territorial Army (TA) was reformed in 1922 it included a number of dedicated AA units of the Royal Artillery (RA) and Royal Engineers
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26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


for each battery. Meanwhile, 3rd AD Bde's units were based at Lytton Grove, Putney, taking over pre-war buildings previously used by the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders). The brigades had the following composition:. 26th (London) Air Defence Brigade 27th (London) Air Defence Brigade As Britain's AA defences expanded during the 1930s, higher formations became necessary. 1st AA Division was formed in 1935 at RAF Uxbridge to command the growing number of Territorial Army (TA) anti-aircraft gun
17908263
38th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)


The 38th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade (38 AA Bde) was an air defence formation of Britain's Territorial Army formed just before World War II, which protected London and Southern England during the Blitz and later converted into an infantry formation for the liberation of Europe. The brigade headquarters was formed on 28 September 1938 by duplicating the 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, London, as part of the expansion of Britain's Anti-Aircraft (AA) defences before World
20660463
51st (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


cities during World War I had shown the need for strong anti-aircraft (AA) defences in any future war. When the Territorial Army (TA) was reformed in 1922 it included a number of dedicated AA units. The senior of these was 51st (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, (TA), formed at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, London with 151st, 152nd and 153rd (London) AA Batteries. It formed part of 26th (London) Air Defence Brigade
8834792
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


and the whole AA defence of the United Kingdom was taken over by Anti-Aircraft Command on 1 April 1939. A new 38th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade was formed on 28 September 1938 by duplicating 26 AA Brigade HQ at the Duke of York's Headquarters. The new brigade took responsibility for searchlight units in the London area, leaving 26 AA Bde as a Heavy AA formation. The further deterioration in international relations during 1939 led to a partial mobilisation in June, and a proportion of TA AA units manned their war stations
17908267
54th (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


units of the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). The fourth of these was 54th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, RGA, (TA), comprising 160th, 161st and 162nd (London) AA Batteries, headquartered in Putney. It was assigned to 27th (London) Air Defence Brigade. As Britain's AA defences expanded during the 1930s, higher formations became necessary. 1st AA Division was formed to cover London and the Home Counties in 1935, and the 54th AA Brigade was reassigned to 26th (London)
13244287
Robert Whittaker (British Army officer)


mobilised for war. Whittaker was promoted to Brigadier and appointed commander of 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade (including his old regiment) on 18 January 1939. 26th AA Bde, controlling several regiments of heavy anti-aircraft (HAA) guns, was a critical part of the air defences of London. Just before the outbreak of war, the brigade moved its headquarters to Brompton Road in South Kensington, where a Piccadilly line underground railway station had been disused since 1934. The tunnels, subways and lift-shafts
1134936
28th (Thames and Medway) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


disbanded in 1948. German air raids by Zeppelin airships and Gotha bombers on London and other British cities during World War I had shown the need for strong anti-aircraft (AA) defences in any future war. When the Territorial Army (TA) was reformed in the 1920s it included a number of dedicated AA units of the Royal Artillery (RA) and Royal Engineers (RE). At first these were concentrated in London under 26th and 27th Air Defence Brigades. In 1925 55th (Kent) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
15444023
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


AA Regiments of the RA were redesignated Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) regiments to distinguish them from the newer Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) regiments. While the "Luftwaffe" attacked RAF airfields in south east England during the Battle of Britain, 26 AA Bde was hardly involved, but on 2 September 1940 a raid up the Thames Estuary reached the edge of the London IAZ and was engaged by guns of the brigade. Between 11 and 15 September, massed raids approached London, but running battles with RAF fighters broke
17908271
52nd (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


the Royal Artillery (RA). The second of these was 52nd (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, comprising 154th (London), 155th (London) and 156th (Barking) AA Batteries. The Regimental Headquarters, 154 and 155 Batteries were at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, London, while 156 Battery was based at Empress Hall, Ripple Lane, Barking. It formed part of 26th (London) Air Defence Brigade also headquartered at the Duke of York's Headquarters. The
9167521
27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


the 1930s, higher formations became necessary. 1st AA Division was formed at the end of 1935 to cover London and the Home Counties. As part of this reorganisation, 26th (London) Bde assumed command of all the gun and searchlight units of the two former brigades, while the 27th was reformed as 27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Group, based at RAF Kenley, to command new AA units in the South London suburbs. The AA Groups took the more usual formation title of Brigades in 1938 after the Royal
17659435
Brompton Road tube station


War, the street-level building together with the lift shafts and lower western passages were sold to the War Office for a sum of £22,000 for use by the 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade of the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division. During the War, it was the Royal Artillery's anti-aircraft operations room for central London. This use was discontinued in the 1950s. It was subsequently used as the town headquarters (THQ) of the University of London Air Squadron, the University of London Royal Naval
5170220
London District Signals


war. The Corps Signals also ran a Signals Training Centre. When the renamed Territorial Army (TA) was reconstituted in 1920, London District Signals was reformed as 1st London Corps Signals (Army Troops) in the Royal Corps of Signals. It was retitled as Anti-Aircraft Signals in 1922, and then Air Defence Signals in 1925 when it formed 26th (London) and 27th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade Signals Companies. When 1st Anti-Aircraft Division was formed at RAF Uxbridge in 1935 (with 26 and
13002441
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


brigades came under the command of new regional groups. 26th AA Brigade was subordinated to 1 AA Group covering the London IAZ. At this time its order of battle was as follows: There were only minor changes in the brigade's composition in 1943–44. 111th HAA Regiment (347, 355, 356 and 389 Btys) joined early in 1943, but left on May 1943 to go to GHQ Reserve, later 21st Army Group, preparing for the invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord). By October 1944, the brigade's
17908275
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


the whole London IAZ, but it proved too complex for one HQ, and in September 1939 it was divided among three: 26th, 48th and 49th AA Bdes. 26th AA Brigade still had the heaviest concentration of guns, with 34 sites disposed to north and east of London, mainly equipped with static 3.7 and 4.5-inch guns. Its sites were in the process of being increased from four to eight guns each. When the UK declared war on 3 September 1939, 26 AA Bde had the following composition: During 1940 the
17908270
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


Germany, and anti-Diver defences had to be established. 132nd and 137th (M) HAA Regiments from 26th AA Bde were among the reinforcements sent to Brussels in January 1945 for this duty. After VE-day, demobilisation of AA units began promptly. 132nd and 137th (M) HAA regiments were disbanded in Europe (in May and October 1945 respectively) and did not return to 26th AA Bde. By November 1945 the brigade had the following composition: All these regiment were disbanded in January 1947 except 12th HAA
17908279
52nd Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)


Rgts left to be converted into infantry, and 79th HAA and 22nd, 29th LAA and the RAF Regiment Wing were transferred to other brigades. In October 1944 52 AA Bde was disbanded. When the TA was reformed on 1 January 1947, the brigade was renumbered as 78 Anti-Aircraft Brigade, with its HQ at Perth and forming part of 3 AA Group at Edinburgh. (The former 26th (London) AA Bde took the number 52 as part of the reorganisation.) The brigade had the following composition: AA
752265
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


(RE). Two formations were organised in London District to command these units, provisionally known as the 2nd and 3rd London Air Defence Brigades, but soon numbered 26th and 27th. Both were based at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, where the units of the 2nd AD Bde were accommodated in buildings used before World War I by King Edward's Horse and the Royal Army Service Corps divisional train of the 47th (1/2nd London) Division. Extra buildings erected for the units included gun drill sheds and a store
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26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


HQ No. 11 Group RAF at Uxbridge, and four Gun Operations Rooms (GORs) subdividing the London Inner Artillery Zone (IAZ). An elaborate network of dedicated telephone lines was laid by the General Post Office and Royal Corps of Signals, linking the AA sites, including many isolated searchlight positions. (The building remained a TA centre after the war, later being known as the Signals Drill Hall. It was sold by the Ministry of Defence in 2014.) It had been intended that 26th AA Brigade would control
17908269
86th (Honourable Artillery Company) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) with 273, 274 and 275 HAA Batteries, forming part of 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade in 1st Anti-Aircraft Division of Anti-Aircraft Command. In June 1939, as the international situation worsened, a partial mobilisation of the TA was begun in a process known as 'couverture', whereby each AA unit did a month's tour of duty in rotation to man selected AA gun and searchlight positions. On 19 August, 86th (HAC) Rgt took its turn, manning
1869825
27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


) and Royal Engineers (RE). Two formations were organised in London District to command these units, provisionally known as the 2nd and 3rd London Air Defence Brigades, but soon numbered 26th and 27th. Both brigades were based at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea. 3rd AD Bde's units were initially based at Lytton Grove, Putney, taking over buildings previously used by the City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders). The 27th (London) Air Defence Brigade comprised: As Britain's AA defences expanded during
17659434
50th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)


of war on 3 September. Brigade headquarters was formed at RAF Hucknall, near Nottingham, which was the HQ of 2nd AA Division. At first the only unit under the brigade's command was 26th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (26th LAA Rgt RA), at Derby. This consisted of 114, 115 and 116 LAA Batteries and was designated as a mobile reserve. The brigade was given responsibility for AA defence of Derby, Nottingham, and the East Midlands. During the winter of 1939–40 the new brigade
2172154
London Electrical Engineers


Brigade), which shared the Duke of York's Headquarters. With the further expansion of the TA after 1938, each battalion was brought up to a four-company establishment, 26th Bn gaining 321 AA Company and 27th Bn receiving 390 AA Company. 26th Battalion transferred its 302 AA Company to 34th (Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Battalion at Greenwich, receiving 339 AA Company in exchange. In September 1938, 26th AA Bde was split in two, the two London Electrical Engineer battalions remaining with
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26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


, the emergency positions covering London were manned and most of the equipment was in place within 24 hours. The emergency mobilisation lasted nearly three weeks before the TA units were released on 14 October. Brigadier Robert Whittaker, a TA officer who had commanded 53rd (City of London) HAA Rgt, was appointed to command the brigade on 18 January 1939. During this period of tension the Territorial Army grew enormously, and existing TA infantry battalions continued to be converted to AA regiments. The number of divisions and brigades was expanded,
17908266
53rd (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


on static mounts. As Britain's AA defences expanded during the 1930s, higher formations became necessary. 1st AA Division was formed in 1935 to cover London and the Home Counties, and the 53rd AA Brigade was reassigned to 26th (London) AA Group within the division. Lieutenant-Colonel Whittaker was promoted to command this brigade in early 1939. The Royal Garrison Artillery had been absorbed into the Royal Artillery (RA) in 1924; in 1938 the RA replaced its traditional unit designation 'Brigade' by the modern 'Regiment
4897849
52nd (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


original TA AA units were formed on a low peacetime establishment with a few old 3-inch guns on static mounts. As Britain's AA defences expanded during the 1930s, higher formations became necessary, and the 26th AD Bde (now renamed 26th (London) AA Group), including 52nd AA Bde, was assigned to 1st AA Division organised to cover London and the Home Counties. The Royal Garrison Artillery had been absorbed into the Royal Artillery (RA) in 1924; in 1938 the RA replaced its traditional unit designation 'Brigade
9167522
1st Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)


following day a raid up the Thames estuary reached the edge of the London IAZ and were engaged by the 26th AA Brigade. Between 11 and 15 September, massed raids approached London, but running battles with RAF fighters broke up most of the raids before they reached the IAZ, where they were engaged by the 48th AA Brigade. By 30 September, when the Battle of Britain was effectively over and the "Luftwaffe" had switched to night raids over London (The Blitz), by now the 1st AA Division had 233
17459631
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


HQ establishment was 9 officers, 8 male other ranks and 23 members of the ATS, together with a small number of attached drivers, cooks and mess orderlies (male and female). In addition, the brigade had a Mixed Signal Office Section of 1 officer, 5 male other ranks and 19 ATS, which was formally part of the Group signal unit. The "Luftwaffe" began a new bombing campaign against London in early 1944 (the Baby Blitz). By now the night fighter defences and the London IAZ were
17908276
5th Antiaircraft Missile Division (People's Republic of China)


The 5th Anti-Aircraft Missile Division of the Air Force () (2nd formation) was activated on July 1, 1979, in Langfang, Beijing. The division was composed of the 16th, 26th and 27th Anti-aircraft Missile Regiments, being responsible for the anti-air defense of the southern vicinity of Beijing. On November 5, 1985, the division was reduced to the 15th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Air Force (). On December 26, 1993, the brigade was re-expanded to
19213610
41st (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


The 41st (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade (41 AA Bde) was an air defence formation of Anti-Aircraft Command in the British Territorial Army, formed shortly before the outbreak of World War II. Its role was to defend East Anglia. The brigade was formed on 29 September 1938 at Ebury Street, London, as part of 2nd Anti-Aircraft Division. The first brigade commander was Brigadier Arthur Pollock, OBE, appointed 1 October 1938. While the brigade was forming the TA's AA units had been mobilised
13155344
167th (1st London) Brigade


The Royal Fusiliers) was converted into an artillery role, transferring to the Royal Artillery and converted into 60th (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Artillery and becoming part of 27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Group, 1st Anti-Aircraft Division (formed by conversion of the Headquarters of 47th (2nd London) Infantry Division). They were replaced in the brigade by the 10th London Regiment (Hackney) from the 169th (3rd London) Infantry Brigade. The battalion was previously known as the 10th
20682529
69th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division (Soviet Union)


, Colonel Grigory Svet took command of the division. In July 1946 he took command of the 229th Dresden Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade of the Odessa Military District in Sarata. Svet continued to command the brigade until January 1947. Feskov et al 2013 states that the brigade became the 229th Anti-Aircraft Brigade in 1946 and was subsequently renumbered as the 2nd. It later became part of the Turkestan Military District and, as the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade (equipped with Surface-to-air missiles), included the
20991469
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


continued to evolve. From September 1940, rocket projectors (Z Batteries) were introduced, equipped with rocket projectiles, and during 1941 increasing numbers of women of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) took over roles in AA Command. Where they were integrated into units these were designated 'Mixed' ('M'). During 1941–42 the following further changes to 26th AA Bde's order of battle took place: On 1 October 1942 a new organisation came into force in AA Command: corps and divisions were abolished, and
17908274
168th (2nd London) Brigade


was transferred to the Royal Engineers and converted into 32nd (7th City of London) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers, becoming part of 27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Group of the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division. With the disbandment of 47th (2nd London) Infantry Division in early 1936 the 56th Division was redesignated as The London Division and the brigade became simply the 2nd London Infantry Brigade. To replace those battalions converted were the 13th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Kensington) and the
14168091
John Ruggles-Brise


where he became captain of his house, and then worked on a family farm in Alberta in Canada. He worked at Employers Liability Assurance, rising to manage its branches in the City of London and the West End of London. He joined the Territorial Army in 1938 (his father commanded the 104th Essex Yeomanry Field Brigade R.A.). When the Second World War broke out, he enlisted as a gunner in the 54th Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He was commissioned, and commanded a Royal Artillery anti-aircraft battery near London
18405020
1st Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)


divided among three: the 26th AA Brigade (34 sites disposed to north and east), the 48th AA Brigade (28 sites to south-east and south), and the 49th AA Brigade (12 sites to west). The 26th AA Brigade still had the heaviest concentration of guns, mainly static 3.7-inch and 4.5-inch guns, with sites being increased from four to eight guns each. The 48th AA Brigade had a mixture of 3.7 and 4.5-inch guns, half of the former being mobile. The 49th AA Brigade had
17459628
Brompton Road tube station


Brompton Road is a disused station on the Piccadilly line of the London Underground, located between Knightsbridge and South Kensington stations. It was closed in 1934, nearly 28 years after being opened by the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway company. During the Second World War it was used as the command centre of the 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade. In 2014, the owner of the site, the Ministry of Defence, sold it to a Ukrainian businessman, Dmytro Firtash, who claimed an intention to convert it
5170217
London Electrical Engineers


AA Companies, and 27 AA Bn headquartered at Mitcham Lane, Streatham, had Nos 304–6 based at Rochester Row, Westminster. (The Regency Street premises were used by the former London District Signals, which had become Air Defence Signals.) Crompton remained Honorary Colonel of the 27th. During the 1930s the air defence strength of the Territorial Army was greatly expanded. In December 1935 1st Anti-Aircraft Division was formed to cover London, with 26th and 27th Battalions assigned to 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Group (later
14632795
36th (Middlesex) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery


part of 29th (East Anglian) Anti-Aircraft Brigade. Major Edward Boggis, MBE, was transferred from 26th (London) Air Defence Brigade Signals, Royal Corps of Signals, to be Officer Commanding of 344th AA Company. Sir John Perring was reappointed Honorary Colonel of the new unit. Towards the end of 1938, 344 AA Company, based at Harrow, was detached to form the cadre for a duplicate unit, which became 58th (Middlesex) AA Bn, RE under the command of Lt-Col Boggis.
14035662
69th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division (Soviet Union)


The 69th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division () was an anti-aircraft artillery division of the Soviet Union's Red Army (later the Soviet Army) during World War II and the early postwar period. Formed in the Volga Military District in late 1943, the division fought with the 3rd Guards Army from May 1944 to the end of the war. Postwar, it was reduced to a brigade which eventually became the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade. The 2nd Brigade served in the Turkestan Military District during the Cold War and
20991466
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


up most of the raids before they reached the IAZ. 221 HAA Battery of 91st HAA Rgt under 39 AA Bde in the Humber Gun Zone had been nominated as a reserve battery with mobile guns. As the London Blitz got under way during September it arrived to reinforce 26 AA Bde (one gunner was killed by a bomb blast). In mid-October, half of 286/91 HAA Bty arrived in London to reinforce 221 Bty. 221 Battery moved from London to Norwich later in October. Brigadier Whittaker was promoted to command
17908272
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


1st AA Division on 12 November 1940 was succeeded by Brigadier S.K. Thorburn. By late 1940, at the height of The Blitz, 26 AA Bde was still serving in 1 AA Division covering London, but had the following composition: Manning AA positions during the Blitz was dangerous and arduous work. A Parachute mine fell on one HAA position of 26 AA Bde in central London, killing three men and wounding 15, yet the position remained in action. The Blitz effectively ended in May 1941, but the organisation of AA Command
17908273
169th (3rd London) Brigade


either the Royal Artillery or Royal Engineers. Therefore, on 15 December 1935, the 11th London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) was converted into an anti-aircraft role, being transferred to the Royal Artillery, and became 61st (Finsbury Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Artillery, becoming part of 28th (Thames and Medway) Anti-Aircraft Group, attached to 1st Anti-Aircraft Division, which was formed by the redesignation of the Headquarters of 47th (2nd London) Infantry Division. Two replacement battalions arrived, the
783754
140th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade


The 140th Borisov Order of Kutuzov Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade (; Military Unit Number 32390) is an air defense brigade of the Russian Ground Forces' 29th Army in the Eastern Military District, stationed at Domna in Zabaykalsky Krai. The brigade traces its lineage back to the formation of the 66th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division () in October 1943 during World War II. The division was sent to the front in early 1944, and fought in Operation Bagration, receiving the Borisov honorific for participating in the capture of that city.
21073149
6th Guards Army


, 1440th Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment, 628th Artillery Regiment, 27th and 28th Anti-Tank Artillery Brigades, 293rd and 295th Mortar Regiments, the 5th, 16th, 79th and 314th Guards Mortar Regiments. The army also included the 26th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division, which included the 1352nd, 1357th, 1363rd and 1369th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiments. The 1487th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment was an independent unit. Anti-Tank Artillery Regiments were the 493rd, 496th, 611th, 694th, 868th, 1008th, 1240th,
12460327
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


well organised and the attackers suffered heavy losses for relatively small results. More significant were the V-1 flying bombs, codenamed 'Divers', which began to be launched against London from Northern France soon after D-Day. V-1s (known to Londoners as 'Doodlebugs') presented AA Command's biggest challenge since the Blitz. Defences had been planned against this new form of attack (Operation Diver), but it presented a severe problem for AA guns, and after two weeks' experience AA Command carried out a major reorganisation
17908277
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


, stripping guns from the London IAZ and other parts of the UK and repositioning them along the South Coast to target V-1s coming in over the English Channel, where a 'downed' V-1 would cause no damage. As the launching sites were overrun by 21st Army Group, the "Luftwaffe" switched to air-launching V-1s over the North Sea, so 1 AA Group had to redeploy again to the east of London. Once 21st Army Group had captured Brussels and Antwerp, these cities became targets for V-1s launched from within
17908278
1488th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment


The 1488th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment (; Military Unit Number 03216) is a surface-to-air missile regiment of the Russian Aerospace Forces. It was formed in 1960 and soon became the 83rd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade () of the Soviet Air Defense Forces. The brigade provided air defense for the Leningrad area with S-75 Dvina and S-125 missiles. After reequipping with S-300PS missiles, the brigade was reorganized as the 1488th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment in 1994. The brigade was originally formed as the 83rd Air Defense Brigade
14066088
86th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade


The 86th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade (; Military Unit Number 28037) was a surface-to-air missile brigade of the Soviet Air Defense Forces and briefly the Russian Air Defense Forces. Active from 1960, the brigade provided air defense for the Leningrad area with S-75 Dvina and S-125 missiles. It reequipped with S-300PS missiles in the early 1990s, and inherited the lineage of a disbanded unit to become the 157th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade and then the 1490th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment in 1993 and 1994. The
14236887
6th Anti-aircraft Missiles Brigade (Romania)


The 6th Anti-aircraft Missiles Brigade "Râmnic" ("Brigada 6 Rachete Antiaeriene") was an anti-aircraft brigade of the Romanian Land Forces. It was one of the oldest anti-aircraft military units of the Romanian Armed Forces, being formed during World War I. The brigade was subordinated in 2005 to the 1st Territorial Army Corps, and its headquarters were located in Râmnicu Sărat. The unit operated the S-75 "Volhov" and the modern MIM-23 Hawk surface-to-air missile systems. The 6th Anti-
15124064
84th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade


The 84th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade (; Military Unit Number 28036) was a surface-to-air missile brigade of the Soviet Air Defense Forces and briefly the Russian Air Defense Forces. Active from 1960, the brigade provided air defense for the Leningrad area with S-75 Dvina and S-125 missiles. In 1994, after reequipping with S-300PS missiles, the brigade was reorganized as the 1489th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment in 1994. It inherited the lineage of a disbanded unit to become the 1489th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment in 1998
13490342
169th (3rd London) Brigade


years 169th Brigade, unlike the other two brigades of 56 Division, saw little change in its composition until the middle part of the 1930s. In 1935 the 10th London Regiment (Hackney) was transferred as a replacement battalion to 167th (1st London) Infantry Brigade. Due to a serious need to strengthen the anti-aircraft defences of the United Kingdom, particularly for London, Southern England and the Midlands, many infantry battalions of the Territorial Army were, throughout the 1930s, converted into anti-aircraft or searchlight battalions of
783753
Honourable Artillery Company


Operation Torch landings and were in action at Thala in February 1943, where they halted a German advance following the Battle of the Kasserine Pass. After re-equipping with Priests, they too moved on to Italy in March 1944 and fought at Monte Cassino. The 13th (HAC) Regiment, RHA, (equipped with Sexton self-propelled guns) fought in Normandy, the Netherlands and across the Rhine into Germany as part of 11th Armoured Division. The regiment formed part of 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade defending
15105443
3rd Guards Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division


honorifics Rechitsa and Brandenburg and the Order of the Red Banner, Order of Suvorov 2nd class, and the Order of Kutuzov 2nd class. Postwar, it remained in East Germany with the 3rd Army and became the 144th Guards Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade in 1958. The brigade was withdrawn to the Leningrad Military District in 1961, where it became the surface-to-air missile-armed 196th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment and then the 204th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade of the Soviet Air Defence Forces. In 1994
7232068
27th Air Defense Corps


the 169th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade at Neman, the 69th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade at Baltiysk, the 183rd Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade at Gvardeysk, and the 298th Radio-Technical Regiment at Zelenogradsk. In August 1974, the 298th became the 81st Radio-Technical Brigade, before relocating to Pereslavlskoye in 1977. In 1975, two radio-technical regiments from the corps merged to form the 80th Radio-Technical Brigade at Tukums. Between 1978 and 1985, the corps was subordinated to the Baltic Military District.
14335149
2/48th Battalion (Australia)


was formed around a nucleus of four rifle companies—designated 'A' through to 'D'—each consisting of three platoons. These companies were supported by a battalion headquarters and a headquarters company with six specialist platoons: signals, pioneer, anti-aircraft, transport, administrative and mortars. Forming part of the 26th Brigade along with the 2/23rd and 2/24th Battalions, it was assigned to the 7th Division during its initial training period but was later transferred with the rest of the 26th Brigade to the 9th Division. After pre-embarkation
20980634
82nd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade


The 82nd Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade (; Military Unit Number 03214) was a surface-to-air missile brigade of the Soviet Air Defense Forces and briefly the Russian Air Defense Forces. Active from 1960, the brigade provided air defense for the Leningrad area with S-75 Dvina and S-125 missiles. It reequipped with S-300PS missiles in the late 1980s, and merged with a unit withdrawn from Latvia to become the 500th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment in 1993 and 1994. The brigade was originally formed as the 82nd Air Defense Brigade
14236895
3rd Guards Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division


20 March 1958 was reorganized into the 144th Guards Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade. In 1961, the brigade was withdrawn to the Leningrad Military District, stationed in eastern Estonia at Narva and Kohtla-Järve. There, it became the 196th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment at Korstovo near Kingisepp, armed with new S-125 surface-to-air missiles. In June 1968, it was expanded into the 204th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade of the Soviet Air Defence Forces, including six S-125 battalions and four S-75 battalions. The
7232078
Khmer National Army


"), Artillery (French: "Artillerie"), Anti-Aircraft (French: "Defense Antiaérienne"), and Transport (French: "Train" or "Transport") were organized into six larger formations termed Half-Brigades (French: "Demi-Brigades"). Other technical branch services such as Medical (French: "Service de Santé", or simply "Santé"), Military logistics (French: "Service de Matériel"), Ordnance (French: "Munitions")
12473754
3rd Guards Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division


to the 1489th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment (the former 84th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade) at Vaganovo. This unit, at Vagonovo-2 near Vsevolozhsk, became the 1489th Guards Anti-Aircraft Regiment (Military Unit Number 28034). In 2008, it was reported by Kommersant as the 196th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment at Kingisepp with the 54th Air Defense Corps, equipped with the S-300P. In 2009 it became part of the 2nd Air Defense Brigade. In 2015 it became part of the 2nd Air Defense Division of the 6th
7232081
1st Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)


of 4 guns at RAF Fighter Command HQ at Stanmore and four more (16 guns) at airfields. The London IAZ extended from Cheshunt and Dagenham in the east to Bexley and Mitcham in the south and to Richmond and Northolt in the west. The HAA positions were sited to produce an optimum density of fire of at least 16 guns engaging any one raid simultaneously. It had been intended that the 26th AA Brigade would control the whole zone, but it proved too complex for one HQ, and in September 1939 it was
17459627
168th (2nd London) Brigade


London Regiment (Post Office Rifles). The 8th Battalion was replaced in the brigade by the Honourable Artillery Company Infantry Battalion. The following year they dropped the 'battalion' from their title, becoming simply, for example, 6th City of London Regiment (City of London Rifles). In the late 1930s the need to increase the anti-aircraft defences of the United Kingdom, particularly so for London and Southern England, was addressed by converting a number of Territorial Army infantry battalions into anti-aircraft or searchlight units,
14168089
26th Army (Soviet Union)


command of General Carl-Heinrich von Stülpnagel. The 26th Army consisted of the 8th Rifle Corps, with the 99th Rifle Division, 173rd Rifle Division, and the 72nd Mountain Rifle Division, the 8th Fortified District, a number of artillery units (the 2nd Anti-Tank Brigade, 233rd Corps Artillery Regiment, 236th Corps Artillery Regiment, and the 28th Independent Anti-Aircraft Squadron, the 8th Mechanised Corps with the 12th Tank Division, 34th Tank Division, and the 7th Mechanized Division), and the 17th Pontoon-Bridge
21418311
140th (4th London) Brigade


Walk. Initially the brigade was composed of its original prewar battalions, but in 1921 the Civil Service Rifles merged with the Queen's Westminsters, and the brigade was brought up to strength by the addition of the Artists' Rifles: In 1935, a growing number of TA infantry battalions had been converted to the searchlight or anti-aircraft artillery role, and at the end of the year 47th Division was disbanded and converted into 1st Anti-Aircraft Division. 140 Brigade HQ was also disbanded and its battalions dispersed to other London
21848462
London Electrical Engineers


Light Anti-Aircraft/Searchlight regiment. It was subordinated to 64 AA Bde. When Anti-Aircraft Command was disbanded on 10 March 1955, 562 Regiment was merged into 624 LAA Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), becoming R Battery (London Electrical Engineers) in the combined regiment. Finally, on 1 May 1961, 624 LAA Regiment merged into a TA infantry battalion of the Royal Fusiliers and the London Electrical Engineers lineage ended. The following served as Honorary Colonels: The Electrical Engineers London Electrical Engineers 26th (London Electrical Engineers
14632816
Finsbury Rifles


(2nd London) Division. In 1935 the increasing need for anti-aircraft (AA) defence, particularly for London, was addressed by converting the 47th (2nd London) Division into the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division. A number of London infantry battalions were also converted to the AA role, the 11th Londons being transferred to the Royal Artillery (RA) as 61st (Finsbury Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Artillery), with the following organisation: Despite their transfer to the RA, the personnel continued to
19591172
140th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade


After the end of the Cold War, the brigade was relocated from Poland to Chita Oblast, being stationed at Domna from 1994. The 66th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division began forming on 6 October 1943 at the Moscow Anti-Aircraft Artillery Training Camp in Pavshino, under the command of Colonel Ivan Korotkikh. It was part of the Moscow Military District, and included the 1981st, 1985th, 1989th, and the 1993rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiments. The formation of the division ended on 1 November. In April 1944, Korotkikh
21073151
88th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


AA Rgt was also based at White City. In June 1939 a partial mobilisation of TA units was begun in a process known as 'couverture', whereby each AA unit did a month's tour of duty in rotation to man selected AA gun positions. On 24 August, ahead of the declaration of war, AA Command was fully mobilised at its war stations. On the outbreak of war the new 88th AA Rgt formed part of 26th (London) AA Brigade in 1st AA Division. In June 1940 those AA regiments
14064259
London Electrical Engineers


38th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade at the Duke of York's Headquarters. 301 AA Company had moved to Shepherd's Bush but remained part of 26th Bn. The TA's AA units were mobilised on 23 September 1938 during the Munich Crisis, with units manning their emergency positions within 24 hours, even though many did not yet have their full complement of men or equipment. The emergency lasted three weeks, and they were stood down on 13 October. In February 1939 the existing AA defences came under the control of a new
14632797
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


modern 'Regiment'. The TA's AA units were mobilised on 23 September 1938 during the Munich Crisis. The call-out of key parties by telephone and telegram went well, and they assembled at their drill halls within a few hours. Because the units possessed only a small scale of transport, elaborate plans had been made to requisition civilian vehicles, ranging from heavy lorries to buses and private cars. Equipment was drawn from mobilisation stores, and the detachments ferried out to their war stations. Despite some failures and problems
17908265
34th (South Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


brigade. In the summer of 1940 the AA regiments of the RA were redesignated Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) to distinguish them from the new Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) units being formed. Although most of the "Luftwaffe" air raids during the Battle of Britain and the early part of The Blitz concentrated on London and the South and East Coasts, the West Midlands also suffered badly, with Birmingham and Coventry experiencing heavy raids in August and October. In November 1940 the brigade came under the command of the
4602137
168th (2nd London) Brigade


of either the Royal Engineers or Royal Artillery. As a result, in 1935, the 6th City of London Regiment (City of London Rifles) was also converted, transferring to the Royal Engineers and becoming 31st (City of London Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers, joining 28th (Themes and Medway) Anti-Aircraft Group, part of 1st Anti-Aircraft Division, converted from the Headquarters of 47th (2nd London) Infantry Division. In the same year the 7th London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
14168090
205th Motorized Infantry Brigade (People's Republic of China)


Tank Regiment, 205th Infantry Division. Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, 69th Army Corps was merged with Anti-aircraft Artillery Battalion of the division and renamed as Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, 205th Infantry Division. Since then the division was composed of: From 1985 to 1998 the division maintained as a "Northern Motorized Infantry Division, Catalogue A". In 1998 the division was reduced and renamed as 205th Motorized Infantry Brigade() and transferred to Inner Mongolian Military District's control following 28th Army's disbandment. The brigade was
15570986
2nd Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)


released on 14 October. The experience led to improvements in equipment scales, and a rapid expansion of AA defences brought many new AA gun and searchlight units into existence. In November 1938, the 32nd and 33rd AA Brigades transferred to the newly formed 4th Anti-Aircraft Division. In June 1939, the 30th and 31st AA Brigades joined the 7th Anti-Aircraft Division. They were replaced in the 2nd AA Division by new brigades created in September 1938: the 39th at Retford in Nottinghamshire and the 40th and 41st in London
9725369
84th (Middlesex, London Transport) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


time members of the Territorial Army (TA). The 84th Anti-Aircraft Regiment of the Royal Artillery was raised entirely from employees of the London Passenger Transport Board, a major employer in London and Middlesex. At first the headquarters was at Tottenham, later at Arnos Grove. Equipped with 3-inch guns, the regiment had the following organisation. The TA's Anti-Aircraft Command was mobilised in late August 1939, just before the outbreak of war, when 84th AA Rgt was assigned to 49th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, which
8588127
26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


under a rotation system known as 'Couverture'. Full mobilisation of AA Command came in August 1939, ahead of the declaration of war on 3 September 1939. Just before the outbreak of war, 26 AA Bde moved its headquarters to Brompton Road in South Kensington, where a Piccadilly line underground railway station had been disused since 1934. 1st AA Division established a control centre at Brompton Road, where the tunnels, subways and lift-shafts were adapted to provide bomb-proof accommodation for a Central Operation Room reporting direct to
17908268
2nd Kent Artillery Volunteers


his battery into the ruins of the Uplees explosives factory near Faversham after the Great Explosion on 2 April 1916. He subsequently won a Military Cross (MC) on the Western Front and in World War II commanded the Sittingbourne-based 89th (Cinque Ports) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment and later 1st Anti-Aircraft Brigade in North Africa For Third Army's forthcoming Arras Offensive, CCXCIII Bde was attached to 56th (1/1st London) Division. The Germans partly forestalled this offensive by withdrawing to the Hindenburg Line, but near Arras
18201099
17th Tank Brigade (Ukraine)


. On 11 January 1965 the 37th became the 17th Guards Tank Division, a designation it would retain until the fall of the Soviet Union. In 1968 the 26th Separate Guards Sapper Battalion became an engineer-sapper battalion. The 44th Separate Chemical Defence Battalion was activated from the chemical defence company in 1972. The 1055th Separate Material Supply Battalion was formed from the separate motor transport battalion. In June 1989, the 1158th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment was transferred to East Germany, and was replaced by the 1069th Anti-Aircraft Missile
8389861
19th Battalion, London Regiment (St Pancras)


as 'Regiments' within their previous parent regiment – the Middlesex Regiment in the case of the 19th Londons.) In 1935 the 47th Division was converted into the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division and 19th London was selected as one of its TA infantry battalions to be converted into searchlight units; on 1 November it was transferred to the Royal Engineers and redesignated 33rd (St Pancras) Anti-Aircraft Battalion RE (TA). Shortly afterwards it joined 29th (East Anglian) Anti-Aircraft Brigade. At this point the battalion
14035033
2/7th Field Regiment (Australia)


, both the 13th and 14th Batteries came ashore and by 4:00 pm on the first day, they were both in action, while the 57th was also moved to Tarakan from Sadau late in the day. Over the next three months they would fire over 37,000 rounds in support of the 26th Brigade's three infantry battalions; this included rounds from a captured Japanese 75 mm mountain gun. The regiment also provided fire control for a 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun from the 132nd Anti-Aircraft Battery that was employed to clear areas of
1584086
Vladimirsky Lager


, which had previously been based in Germany, was located in the village. In April 2006 the brigade and the 141st Anti-Aircraft Rocket Brigade were combined into the 1544th Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment and transferred to the 54th Air Defense Corps. In 2012, it was relocated to Pskov. In November 1993, the 25th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade arrived from Adazi. In 1995 its previous parent 54th District Training Centre, in the Baltic Military District (previously the 24th Tank Training Division) disbanded. The 25th Brigade was a
12121357
7th Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)


: 30th (Northumbrian) Anti-Aircraft Brigade at Sunderland – "from the 2nd AA Division" 31st (North Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade at York – "from the 2nd AA Division" 39th Anti-Aircraft Brigade at RAF Digby – "from the 2nd AA Division; did not actually transfer" 43rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade at West Hartlepool – "from the 3rd AA Division" 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade – "new brigade forming at Newcastle" In practice, the 39th AA Brigade remained with the 2nd
9572196
131st Rocket Brigade


The regiment helped capture Rezekne in July 1944 under command of Lieutenant Colonel Viktor Petrovich Kazantsev. For its actions the regiment was awarded the honorific "Rezekne". During World War II, the regiment also received the Order of Suvorov 3rd class. Between 1945 and 1960 it was known as the 240th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment. The brigade was formed in 1960 in Luga with the Leningrad Military District, apparently from parts of the 240th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment. Other elements of the regiment became the 59th Anti-Aircraft Rocket
8897669
39th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)


39th Anti-Aircraft Brigade was an air defence formation of Britain's Territorial Army (TA) during World War II. It was responsible under Anti-Aircraft Command for protecting industry along the Humber Estuary and airfields in Lincolnshire during The Blitz. Later it defended the coast of East Anglia against "Luftwaffe" 'hit-and-run' attacks. It was later converted to a field force formation, covered the embarkation ports for Operation Overlord and defended London against V-1 flying bombs. It served in the , defending Antwerp against
4101924
The Rats of Tobruk


the Australians. Morshead was succeeded as commander of the Tobruk fortress by 70th Division's commander, Major-General Ronald Scobie. The Royal Artillery units of 4th Anti-Aircraft Brigade played an important role in the defence of Tobruk, which was under incessant air attack, particularly by "Stuka" dive-bombers. Some of its units were relieved as the siege wore on, but 153rd (London) and 235th (Kent) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Batteries (of 51st (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal
10844643
131st Rocket Brigade


The 131st Rocket Brigade was a tactical ballistic missile brigade of the Soviet Army and Russian Ground Forces from 1960 to 1993. Based at Luga, Leningrad Oblast, it was part of the Leningrad Military District. It was formed from an anti-aircraft artillery regiment. The 240th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment was part of the 10th Guards Army at the beginning of August 1943, the first time it appears in the Combat composition of the Soviet Army. The regiment remained with the 10th Guards Army for the rest of the war.
8897668
27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Brigade (27 AA Bde) was an Air Defence formation of the British Army in World War II that served in The Blitz and later converted to infantry. German air raids by Zeppelin airships and Gotha bombers on London and other British cities during World War I had shown the need for strong anti-aircraft (AA) defences in any future war. When the Territorial Army (TA) was reformed in 1922 it included a number of dedicated AA units of the Royal Artillery (RA
17659433
51st (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


also headquartered at the Duke of York's Headquarters. The original TA AA units were formed on a low peacetime establishment with a few old 3-inch guns on static mounts. As Britain's AA defences expanded during the 1930s, higher formations became necessary, and the 26th AD Bde (now renamed 26th (London) AA Group), including 51st AA Bde, was assigned to 1st AA Division organised to cover London and the Home Counties. The Royal Garrison Artillery had been absorbed into the Royal Artillery (RA) in 1924;
8834793
1st Anti-Aircraft Division (United Kingdom)


TA) anti-aircraft gun and searchlight units around London (the 2nd AA Division was formed in 1936 to cover the rest of the country). The headquarters of the division was formed by converting the headquarters of the 47th (2nd London) Infantry Division, whose General Officer Commanding, Major-General R.H.D. Thomson, continued as GOC of the new formation. Thomson had been Commander TA Air Defence Brigades and Inspector of Regular AA Units, and thus already responsible for the four brigades or 'groups' that comprised the division
17459619
38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (United States)


Theater. It underwent another reorganization in September 1943, when it became Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 38th Anti-Aircraft Brigade. The 38th Anti-Aircraft Brigade earned a battle credit and campaign streamer for participation in the Ardennes-Alsace campaign. The 38th Antiaircraft Brigade was assigned military police-like duties including guarding allied POW and displaced person camps. According to an article published in "the Coast Artillery Journal" the 38th AAA arrived in July at Avranches, France to assemble Army antiaircraft units, defend Army headquarters and nearby supply
9460548
4th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment


HQ, joined by some members of the regiment. This lasted for three months during the political crisis. In 1935 the increasing need for anti-aircraft (AA) defence, particularly for London, was addressed by converting the 47th (2nd London) Division into the 1st Anti-Aircraft Division. A number of London battalions were also converted to the AA role, the 4th Londons being transferred to the Royal Artillery (RA) as an AA artillery unit, the 60th (City of London) AA Brigade, RA (
13744118
4th Guards Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division


Order of Kutuzov and ending the war in the Battle of Berlin. Postwar, the division remained in eastern Germany with the army and was converted into the 140th Guards Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade in 1958. In 1961, it was withdrawn to the Leningrad Military District and reorganized as the 169th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment, equipped with surface-to-air missiles. In 1993 its lineage was transferred to another unit after disbandment and in 1994 it became the 1490th Guards Anti-Aircraft Rocket Regiment. The 8th Anti-
7856970
53rd (City of London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery


in any future war. When the Territorial Army (TA) was reformed in 1922 it included a number of dedicated AA units of the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA). The third of these was 53rd (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, RGA (TA), recruited largely from men working in the finance industry in the City of London. It comprised 157th (City of London), 158th (City of London) and 159th (Lloyd's, City of London) AA Batteries, the latter being
4897847
Metropolitan Police Anti-Terrorist Branch


The Anti-Terrorist Branch (or SO13 by its designation) was a Specialist Operations branch of London's Metropolitan Police Service, formed to respond to terrorist activities within the capital and the surrounding areas. The Anti-Terrorist Branch (originally known as the Bomb Squad) was formed in January 1971 to deal with the Angry Brigade. During the 1970s it assisted in the campaign against the IRA, alongside Special Branch and the Security Service (MI5). In 2005, the branch had 345 officers attached to it, with funding
2973196
76th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (United Kingdom)


progressively disbanded as the troops were demobilised. 112th HAA Regiment went in October, and 120th LAA Rgt in January 1946. 26th LAA Rgt joined briefly from the Italian theatre, but this Territorial Army (TA) unit was placed in suspended animation in February together with 125th LAA. In 1947, a new 76 AA Brigade was formed in the TA. However, this was unconnected with the wartime formation of the same number; instead it was formed by reconstituting the TA's former 50 Light AA Bde at Leicester. It was
19313975
Essex Brigade


in 1935 the 7th Battalion, Essex Regiment was transferred to the Royal Artillery (RA) as 59th (The Essex Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, RA, (TA) and left 161st Brigade. They were replaced in the brigade by the 5th (Hackney) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, previously the 10th London Regiment (Hackney) from 1st London Infantry Brigade from The London Division. After the Munich Agreement in 1938 the TA was doubled in size by duplicating units. The Essex Regiment chose to designate its battalions '
13813415
Essex Brigade


1/' and '2/' as it did in World War I. During 1939 the 6th Battalion, Essex Regiment duplicated and both the 1/6th and 2/6th battalions became the 64th and 65th Searchlight Regiment respectively, but still remained part of the Essex Regiment. They were transferred to 41st (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 2nd Anti-Aircraft Division, previously the 46th (North Midland) Division. 161st Brigade had the following composition during the war: Soon after the outbreak of the Second World War on 3 September 1939, 161st
13813416
33rd (Western) Anti-Aircraft Brigade


and 69th (3rd City of London) S/L Rgts added in June. By November it was commanding a number of returned Regular Army units, together with others awaiting demobilisation: On 1 January 1947, 33 AA Bde was redesignated 59th Anti-Aircraft Brigade in the reformed TA, constituting part of 4 AA Group based at Warrington: AA Command was disbanded on 10 March 1955 and there was a series of reductions and mergers in the TA's AA units. 59 AA Brigade was itself placed in suspended animation on 31
7020764
Sir Alfred Rawlinson, 3rd Baronet


forming a mobile anti-aircraft battery, using picked men from his armoured car squadron. He set off at once to France, in the hope of obtaining an example of the lorry mounted "Autocanon de 75 mm mle 1913" anti-aircraft gun and had returned to London with one within 72 hours. This weapon became the nucleus of the Royal Naval Anti-Aircraft Mobile Brigade under Rawlinson's personal command; it was first used in action against a Zeppelin on 13 October at Moorgate in the City of London. Eventually
10481978