206th (East African) Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, E.A.A.

The 300th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. was relieved by the 238th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. on 8th/9th May 1943, and moved to Shimanzi as the cadre of the 206th (E.A.) L.A.A. Battery, E.A.A.  The 206th (E.A.) L.A.A. Battery, E.A.A. formed on 22nd May 1943, from the cadre provided by the 300th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. and moved to the A.A.T.C. at Athi River.[1]

The Battery arrived at Mombasa from Athi River on 11th August 1943 1943 and was regimented with the 20th (E.A.) L.A.A. Regiment, E.A.A. on arrival.  Two troops relieved the 238th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. and one troop went to Nyali D&T Camp.  The third troop of the 206th Battery went to sites L.7, L.8 and L.9  on 13th August where it relieved a troop of the 202nd (E.A.) L.A.A. Battery, E.A.A.  The 206th Battery occupied two new sites (L.14 Yacht Club and L.19 Ras Bofu) on 25th August.  A further new site (L.20 Mtongwe) was taken over on 1st September.  In October, the 206th Battery vacated site L.9A (Betani) and occupied L.13 (Naval Base).[2]

‘C’ Troop was posted to the 156th (E.A.) Composite A.A. Battery, 16th (E.A.) H.A.A. Regiment, on 20th May 1944, and remained deployed on sites L.1, L.3.-L.6.  Site L.5. was closed on 20th June and ‘C’ Troop took over L.9 and L.10.[3]

On 8th June, the 206th Battery returned nine Bofors guns to the Ordnance Depot and posted 75 African Other Ranks to the 156th (E.A.) Composite A.A. Battery.  Sites L.9 and L.10 were evacuated on 20th June.[4]

On 22nd June 1944, the H.Q. 20th (E.A.) L.A.A. Regiment moved to Athi River, for subsequent disbandment.  The 206th Battery was that day attached to the 16th (E.A.) H.A.A. Regiment, E.A.A. for all purposes.  ‘C’ Troop left Mombasa on 25th July 1944 and moved to Athi River, where it came under command of the Depot and Training Centre there.[5]

In Mombasa, African Other Ranks of the 206th Battery were posted to the 153rd H.A.A. and the 156th Composite A.A. Batteries.  The remaining personnel moved to Athi River, arriving on 26th July, whereupon they were posted to the A.A. Artillery Depot and Training Centre.  The Battery rear Party arrived on 2nd August and were likewise posted.  The 206th Battery was then disbanded.[6]  

29 March 2025