64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
The 64th Anti-Tank Battery, R.A. traces its lineage back to the 64th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A., which had formed in the United Kingdom on 21st January 1939. This Battery had moved to West Africa in September 1941, where in June 1943 it was converted to become a L.A.A./anti-tank battery. On 22nd January 1944, the Battery was reorganised once again to become an anti-tank battery. In September 1945 (tbc), in India, the Battery converted to the light artillery role. Here is a summary:
64th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A.
21st January 1939 formed in the United Kingdom
1st June 1943 converted to become the 64th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
64th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
1st June 1943 converted from the 64th L.A.A. Battery, R.A.
22nd January 1944 reorganised as the 64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
22nd January 1944 by reorganisation of the 64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
September 1945 reorganised as the 64th Light Battery, W.A.A.
September 1945 by reorganisation of the 64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
1946 disbanded in West Africa.
64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
On 22nd January 1944, the 2nd L.A.A./Atk Regiment, W.A.A. 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.
From that date, the 64th Battery began forming into two anti-tank batteries. The 64th Anti-Tank Battery emerged from the conversion and a new battery, ‘Z’ Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. was formed. The Battery remained with the Regiment at Ede throughout February 1944.[1]
From 24th July 1944, the Battery was regimented with the 2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A. and with the 22nd Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A. following the re-designation of the former to the latter on 21st October 1944. The Battery Commander was Major H.G.O. Youngs.[2]
Part of the 64th Anti-Tank Battery went to Jhalida for training between 18th and 20th August. Between 6th and 8th September 1044, the Regimental H.Q., the 83rd, 63rd and 64th Batteries all moved to Potpoto before returning to Chas on 16th September. The Regiment went to Jhalida for infantry training on 4th October 1944 and then to Potpoto for anti-tank practice on 8th October. It returned to Chas on 20th October.[3]
The 22nd Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A. was converted to become the 22nd Light Regiment, W.A.A. in September 1945 and was equipped with 3.7-inch howitzers.[4]
Summary history of the 64th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
© Steve Rothwell
10 July 2025
[1] War diary 64th L.A.A/Atk. Battery, W.A.A., WO 173/1053; War diary 2nd L.A.A/Atk. Regiment, W.A.A., WO 173/1052
[2] War diary H.Q.R.A. 82nd (W.A.) Infantry Division, WO 172/6612
[3] War diary 2nd L.A.A/Atk. Regiment, W.A.A., WO 172/6640