5th Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
The 5th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. was formed by the reorganisation of
the 5th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. on 9th March 1943. The 5th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. was formed at Takoradi, Gold Coast on 10th July 1942. The Battery then reverted to being an L.A.A. battery in January 1944, before moving to India where in July 1944 it was given the new title of 83rd L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. This battery became an anti-tank battery before being redesignated as the 66th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. in October 1944. Here is a summary:
5th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, W.A.A.
10th July 1942 formed
at Takoradi, Gold Coast
1st July 1943 reorganised as the 5th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
5th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
1st July 1943
by reorganisation of the 5th Light
Anti-Aircraft Battery, W.A.A.
22nd January 1944 reorganised and re-designated as the 5th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.
22nd January 1944 reorganised and re-titled as the 5th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.
July 1944 retitled as the 83rd L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.
83rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, W.A.A.
July 1944
by reorganisation of the 5th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.
24th July 1944
reorganised and
re-designated as the 83rd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
24th July 1944
by reorganisation of the 83rd L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A.
21st October1944 re-designated as the 66th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
66th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
21st October 1944
by redesignation of the
83rd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
1946
disbanded in West Africa.
5th Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
When on 1st July 1943, at Accra the 6th H.A.A. Regiment converted to become the 2nd Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A., the 5th L.A.A. Battery also converted, to become the 5th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. Major E.W.B. Jones remained as commanding officer.[1]
During July 1943, new 40mm Bofors guns were issued and anti-tank practice was undertaken at the artillery range. Small arms training was also given. Disaster struck ‘B’ Troop when marching back from the rifle range. The men were struck by an American truck and eleven African Other Ranks and one British N.C.O. were killed. The remainder of the troop were injured, many severely.[2]
On 7th August 1943, Major Jones relinquished command and was succeeded by Captain T.G. Harries.[3]
A movement order was issued on 27th October 1943 for the movement of the 2nd L.A.A./Atk Regiment and the 5th L.A.A./Atk Battery to move to Nigeria. The 5th Battery left Accra by road on 1st November and arrived at Ede Camp, Nigeria on 7th November.
On 22nd January 1944, the Regiment was reorganised to have two L.A.A. batteries and two anti-tank batteries:
- 5th and 109th L.A.A. Batteries
- 64th and ‘Z’ Anti-Tank Batteries.
The Regiment remained at Ede throughout February 1944.[4]
Summary history of the 5th Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
© Steve Rothwell
10 July 2025