62nd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.

The 62nd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. was formed at Chittagong on 2nd May 1944 when the 1st L.A.A./Atk Regiment, W.A.A. was reorganised as an anti-tank regiment.  The 62nd Battery replaced the 'X' Anti-Tank Battery within the Regiment.  Many of the Officers and personnel came from the 81st L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A., others from other batteries of the 1st L.A.A./Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A., with which the 62nd Anti-Tank Battery was regimented.  The Commanding Officer was Major A.W. Privett.[1]

The Battery was equipped initially with the 2-pounder anti-tank gun and began training and practice firing immediately.  The Battery moved to Ruma in September 1944, leaving Chittagong on 20th, resting at Dohazari between 22nd and 25th September, and arriving at Ruma on 29th September, having travelled part of the way along the Sangu River by kisti (sampan).  The Battery took over responsibility for the defence of Ruma from the 6th (W.A.) Infantry Briagde on 2nd October.  The Battery was organised as two troops of four sections each, operating as infantry.  The 1st L.A.A/Atk Regiment, W.A.A., was re-designated to become the 1st Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A. on 1st October, and re-designated again on 23rd October to become the 21st Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A.[2]

The Battery left Ruma on 7th November for Tanchi, travelling in forty-five boats and arriving the next day.  The Battery marched from Tanchi to Mowdok, leaving on 12th November and arriving the next day.  On 14th November, the Battery went to Frontier Hill, coming under command on the 21st Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A.,  and took over the defence responsibilities of the 4th Battalion, The Nigeria Regiment.  The Battery H.Q. went to Satpaung on 24th November, being joined there by ‘G’ and ‘H’ Troops on 27th November.  The next day, the Regiment set off for Auklo and arrived on 1st December.  It moved again, leaving Auklo on 3rd December to arrive at Kyringri on 7th December.  The next day, the Battery crossed the Pi Chaung to the East bank to take up defensive positions.[3]

In January, the Battery, together with it’s parent 21st Regiment, returned to Chiringa, leaving Kyingri on 19th January to arrive at Chiringa on 25th January.  Here the Regiment remained, beginning training with the 6-pounder anti-tank gun.  Nearly forty A.O.R.s were posted to the 65th Anti-Tank Battery during February.  They were replaced by reinforcements posted from the disbanding 4th H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A.  The Battery left Chiringa with the Regiment on 5th March to embark on the S.S. Ethiopia at Chittagong, from where it sailed the next day to disembark at Madras on 10th March.  From Madras, the Regiment moved to nearby Puttur.  During this period, the Battery Commander was Major A.H. French.[4]

Major French left to take Command of the 61st Anti-Tank Battery on 17th April 1945.  He was succeeded by Major C.J. Wait man on 23rd April.  Major Waitman left on repatriation on 23rd May, being succeeded by Major D.N. Isaac. Major M.J. Boenisch took Command on 16th July and was succeeded by Major W.S. Sumner on 4th October.[5]

The Regiment remained at Puttur into January 1946.  Finally, on 28th January, the eagerly awaited warning order was received for embarkation for West Africa.[6]

03 July 2025