83rd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
The 83rd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. traces its origins back to the 5th L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A., formed at Takoradi, Gold Coast on 10th July 1942. The Battery converted to become the 5th L.A.A./Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. on 1st July 1943. It then reverted to to being an L.A.A. battery in January 1944, and then briefly acquired the new title of 83rd L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. This battery then 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 and re-titled as 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.
83rd Anti-TankBattery, 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.
83rd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
The H.Q.R.A., 82nd (W.A.) Infantry Division received on 24th July 1944 advanced copies of new war establishments for Divisional Artillery Units. The 83rd L.A.A. Battery became an anti-tank battery; retaining its number for the time being. This re-organisation appears to have been completed by 1st August. The Commanding Officer was Captain J.E. Etteridge.[1]
Between 6th and 8th September, 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.[2]
The 83rd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. was re-numbered to become the 66th Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A. from 21st October 1944, the date on which the 2nd L.A.A./Atk Regiment, W.A.A. was re-designated to become the 2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, W.A.A., with effect from 1st August 1944.[3]
Summary history of the 83rd Anti-Tank Battery, W.A.A.
© Steve Rothwell
10 July 2025