66th (East Africa) Field Battery, E.A.A.
The 66th (East Africa) Field Battery, E.A.A. was formed at Larkhill on 10th October 1943 from personnel of the 25th (Tanganyika) Battalion, King's African Rifles.[1]
The Battery was regimented with the 307th (E.A.) Field Regiment, E.A.A. which opened at Gilgil on 20th January 1944. The Regiment moved to Naivasha on 5th September. On 1st October, the Regiment moved to a new war establishment [details unknown]. On 1st December 1944, the 66th Battery moved to Nanyuki to replace the 67th Battery on exercise with the 27th (Northern Rhodesia) Infantry Brigade. The 66th Battery returned to Naivasha on 4th December.[2]
The Regiment took part in Exercise ‘Chindwin’ at Nanyuki from 4th April 1945, returning to Naivasha on 4th May. The Regiment went to Nairobi on 12th August for the V-J Parade, returning to Naivasha on 19th August.[3]
The Regiment concentrated at Lolmontoni on 1st September 1945 for Exercise ‘Kampat’ with the 27th (Northern Rhodesia) Infantry Brigade before returning to Naivasha on 12th September, where it remained until at least March 1946.[4]
Summary history of the 66th (East Africa) Field Battery, E.A.A.
© Steve Rothwell
17 March 2025
[1] War diary H.Q. East Africa Command, WO 169/13954; Frederick
[2] War diary H.Q. R.A. East Africa Command, WO 169/18215
[3] WO 169/18215
[4] War diary 307th (E.A.) Field Regiment, WO 169/21783; War diary 307th (E.A.) Field Regiment, WO 169/24351; War diary Artillery Depot Training Centre Athi River, WO 169/24353