6th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, W.A.A.
The 6th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, West African Artillery, was formed at Accra, Gold Coast on 6th November 1942. The Regimental H.Q. was joined by the 405th H.A.A. Battery, R.A. and the 5th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. The Commanding Officer was Lt. Colonel O.W. Holleyman, R.A.[1]
On 2nd December 1942, the Regimental H.Q. was established at the Old Records Office, Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra.[2]
During January and February 1943, trials were conducted in transporting a Bofors gun by pack or bearers/porters. A demonstration in February had a gun carried by portees supplied by the 4th Battalion, Gold Coast Regiment.[3]
The Regiment became non-operational on 23rd February 1943, following the declaration that Accra airfield was no longer in need of anti-aircraft defence. Equipment and motor transport were transferred to the 2nd L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. On 20th April, the 405th H.A.A. Battery was mobilised and transferred to the 3rd H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A. Lt. Colonel Holleyman relinquished command on 1st May. Major A. Hichins, previously the Second-in-Command of the 4th H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A., was appointed to command the 6th H.A.A. Regiment on 1st May 1943. He left the Gambia by air to join his new regiment on 13th May.[4]
On 1st July 1943, at Accra, the Regiment converted to become the
2nd Light Anti-Aircraft/Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A.[5]
Summary history of the 6th H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A.
© Steve Rothwell
08 June 2025