The Coast Artillery Defence of West Africa

Click here to access the Index of Coast Defence Artillery Units - West Africa.

The defence of British West Africa remained a low priority until the Fall of France in June 1940.  The French catastrophe raised the risk of attack by the Axis powers, now made easier by the potential for collaboration with Vichy France and her West African colonies.  This period also saw the entry of Italy into the war, resulting in the closing of the Mediterranean Sea to British shipping.  Reinforcements, equipment and supplies destined for India and the Far East were now diverted via the Cape route, with Freetown becoming of greater importance as a refuelling stop for the convoys.  Takoradi grew in importance when it was selected as the hub for the receipt and assembly of crated aircraft for onward despatch as air reinforcements for the Middle East.  The four major ports to be defended in British West Africa were: Freetown (Sierra Leone); Takoradi (Gold Coast); Bathurst (Gambia); Lagos (Nigeria). 

Freetown had long been important for the defence of British interests in West Africa and the Eastern Atlantic.  Pre-war planners saw the port as being of the greater importance and as far back as 1935 approved the (eventual) installation there of two 9.2-inch and two 6-inch coast defence guns, along with four 3-inch and a number of light anti-aircraft guns.  In November 1936, the status of Freetown was raised to that a Category A. Port.  In July 1937, the possibility of attack from submarines (shore bombardment and mine-laying) was added to the assessment of attack and the installation of a boom was agreed in principle.  In July 1938, the anti-aircraft defences were approved to be four heavy and four light anti-aircraft guns (but no searchlights).  In March 1939, approval was given for two coast defence searchlights (referred to as D.E.L.s or (later) C.A.S.L.s) but no approval was given for the two 6-inch guns and an anti-motor torpedo boat battery (A/M.T.B.) as had been recommended.  By October 1939, four 4.5-inch guns were operational at Freetown as anti-aircraft guns, manned by the Sierra Leone Anti-Aircraft Battery, R.A. [1] [2]

Faced with the need to install defences quickly but with limited resources, the War Office and the G.O.C. West Africa were forced to improvise.  Although additional 6-inch guns were requested for Bathurst, Gambia and Lagos, Nigeria, it would be some considerable time before these could be delivered.  In August 1940, as a temporary measure, the loan of four 6-inch guns by the Royal Navy from H.M.S. Corfu (an armed merchant cruiser damaged in a collision with H.M.S. Hermes) for installation at Takoradi and Lagos was approved, subject to the guns being returned to the Corfu when repairs had been completed in approximately three months’ time. [The damaged Corfu arrived at Freetown on 10th July 1940.[3]]  At Takoradi, a single 4-inch gun had been salvaged (possibly from a damaged merchantman) and was manned African infantry of the 5th Battalion, Gold Coast Regiment.  The guns at Lagos were to be manned initially by crews found from the local defence forces.

On 3rd October 1940, it was confirmed that two 6-inch guns had arrived at Lagos and were being installed.  However, owing to technical difficulties, no further guns could be removed from the Corfu and therefore no guns were available for Takoradi.  Meanwhile, a reconnaissance of Bathurst (Banjul), Gambia had been conducted.

In November 1940, decisions were reached by the War Office on the status of West African ports and the allocation of coast artillery to defence them,  Takoradi, Lagos, Bathurst and Accra were all classified as defended ports.  When available, two 6-inch guns were to be provided to each in the preceding order of priority.  The two 6-inch guns at Lagos, loaned by the Navy, were to be replaced by guns of the Army when available.  Given that the two additional Naval 6-inch guns for Takoradi were not now available, two 4.5-inch coast defence/anti-aircraft dual role guns were allocated, together with a 12-pounder.  However, it was not possible to provide dates when these guns might arrive and it was thought that this might not occur for ‘considerable time’.

The 6-inch guns at Lagos were installed during November 1940 and test fired during the week leading up to 20th November.  The Royal Navy had already requested their return for re-installation on board the Corfu and given that Army guns would not be received from some time, the G.O.C. West Africa asked the War Office if the Navy might be asked to provide two additional 6-inch guns as replacements.  On 30th November 1940, the War Office confirmed that the 6-inch guns at Lagos were to be retained pending decisions regarding the remounting of guns in the Corfu.  The War Office signalled on 6th March 1941 that it had been decided that the 6-inch guns at Lagos were to be retained and would not be replaced by Army guns.  Meanwhile, two 5.5-inch naval guns had been allotted for Bathurst and were to be sent out from the United Kingdom as soon as possible.  By March 1941, it would seem that at least one of the 9.2-inch guns at Freetown (Cockerill), was ready for action but lacked ammunition, given the loss of that originally issued with the sinking of the ship Bodnant in December 1940.

It had at first been decided to install 6-inch guns at Bathurst but on 31st March 1941, the War Office confirmed that those approved for the port were not available and that 5.5-inch naval guns had been allotted instead.  In the meantime, the G.O.C. West Africa had proposed sending the 4-inch gun and a 12-pounder from Takoradi.  The War Office advised that given the slow rate of fire of the 12-pounders it was not advisable to install them singly and the G.O.C. West Africa was now advised to reconsider this transfer.  The G.O.C. West Africa replied on 2nd April 1941 that it was a priority to install the 4-inch gun at Barra, Bathurst and that the gun had already been dismantled at Takoradi and was awaiting despatch on around 5th April.  With regards the 12-pounder gun, which had been salvaged from a merchant vessel, the weapon was being sent to Freetown for repair and would be sent to Bathurst when ready.  The War Office agreed these moves.

The siting of the 4.5-inch guns at Takoradi was held up due to the Royal Air Force expansion scheme.  The R.A.F. raised largely administrative problems in having the guns sited next to an existing camp of theirs on land preferred for the expansion.  In April 1941, the G.O.C. West Africa expanded further on the proposed siting of the six 4.5-inch guns allotted to Takoradi.  Three two-gun positions were proposed, with the land next to the R.A.F. camp being identified as essential for deploying the guns in an effective coast defence role.  Two guns had arrived by May 1941 and four more arrived on 12th August and were installed later that month and during September.  The coast defence and anti-aircraft guns at Takoradi came under a single headquarters, Takoradi Fire Command, formed on 1st May 1941.[4]

On 25th May 1941, the War Office requested confirmation of the then current coast artillery organisation for Bathurst, Takoradi and Lagos.  The War Office proposed the following, West African Artillery units (on mixed establishments of British and African personnel):

Bathurst:  one Fire Command of one coast regiment of three batteries:
            - one battery of [two] 5.5-inch guns and two C.A.S.L.s
            - one battery of one 12-pounder and one C.A.S.L.
            - one battery of one 4-inch gun and one C.A.S.L.

Takoradi:  no Fire Command:
            - one battery of four C.A.S.L.s
            - the distance separating sections of the 3rd H.A.A. Battery was too great for a     practicable fire command
            - the 12-pounder would not (for the present) be sent to Bathurst.

Lagos:  one Fire Command of one coast regiment of two batteries:
            - one battery of two 6-inch guns and two C.A.S.L.s
            - one battery of three 12-pounders and three C.A.S.L.s (if the latter were to be     authorised).

The War Office also proposed that all the above units were to be West African Artillery (on mixed establishments of British and African personnel).  The G.O.C. West Africa replied in agreement to the above but proposing that all three sections of 4.5-inch dual purpose guns, when installed, should be grouped with C.A.S.L.s under a single command for tactical purposes.  In addition, reconsideration was requested of the proposal not to provide a fire command for Takoradi – an interesting recommendation given that Takoradi Fire command had been formed on 1st May 1941.

What becomes clear is that the 4.5-inch guns were somewhat of a special case.  A dual role weapon, the type in question being the Q.F. Mk.II version, a development of the medium range naval gun, the Army version was ‘a single gun mounting bolted to a concrete holdfast in an unarnoured turret.  In coastal areas, the gun could be deployed in the dual role with armour piercing shells available for anti-ship engagements’. [5]  In West Africa these guns were operated almost entirely by heavy anti-aircraft batteries, sometimes operating detached from their regiments under the operational command of the local coast regiment.  Despite this, both the War Office and the G.O.C. West Africa saw the primary role of these weapons as being coast defence.  Following the installation of two 4.5-inch guns at Bathurst, the G.O.C. West Africa would subsequently request additional such guns to cover the five-fathom channel there, which had been found to be out of range of the existing defences.  In January 1942, the War Office sought confirmation that the 4.5-inch dual purpose guns requested for Lagos and Takoradi were for use in the anti-ship role and this was confirmed by the G.O.C. West Africa.  When the anti-aircraft defence of West Africa was stood down in early 1943, the 4.5-inch guns were at first put into care and maintenance before being returned to Ordnance in June/July 1943 to prevent corrosion.

On 6th June 1941, the G.O.C. Gambia Area reported that both 5.5-inch guns at Bathurst, which had arrived on 6th May 1941, could be in action by 30th June, provided that the personnel then undergoing training at Freetown reached Bathurst by that date.  The 4-inch gun installed at Barra Point was already in action and had conducted a satisfactory practice shoot.  Preparations for installation of the 12-pounder were completed and the gun would be in action immediately on arrival from Freetown.

On 11th June 1941, the War Office approved the formation of the following units of the West African Regiment of Artillery:

- at Bathurst:     H.Q. 1st Coast Regiment, W.A.A. with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Coast Batteries
- at Lagos:        H.Q. 2nd Coast Regiment, W.A.A. with the 4th and 5th Coast Batteries.

A signal was to follow confirming the dates of formation and war establishments would be advised.  Instructions for coast artillery units at Takoradi were to be forwarded at a later date ( the 3rd Coast Regiment, W.A.A. formed at Takoradi with effect from 1st January 1943).[6]

It was agreed that the 12-pounder gun being sent from the United Kingdom for Takoradi would now be sent to Bathurst to supplement the repaired 12-pounder recently arrived from Freetown and expected to be in action ‘shortly’ (this gun was mounted in July/early August and test-fired on 7th August 1941).[7]  The reasoning behind this was that due to its low rate of fire, it was common practice to deploy the 12-pounder in pairs.  At Lagos, four Naval 12-pounder Mk I 12cwt on converted anti-aircraft mountings had arrived some time previously but this arrangement had been found unsatisfactory.  On 1st July 1941 it was reported that they were now being converted for the A/M.T.B. role and when ready, two would be installed at Lagos and two sent to Takoradi to supplement the harbour defences (the Takoradi guns eventually arrived and on 27th December 1941 were reported as installed). 

The fixed coast artillery defences for Lagos already present or to be installed were listed on 8th July 1941 as:

- one battery of two 6-inch guns and one pair of C.A.S.L.s
- one battery of one 4-inch gun
- one battery of two 12-pounders in the A.M.T.B. role and two C.A.S.L.s.

The suggested designation for these batteries, all of which were West African Artillery,  was:

- the 6-inch battery to be the 4th Coast Battery
- the 12-pounder battery to be the 5th Coast Battery
- the 4-inch battery to be the 7th Coast Battery (a battery at Takoradi already having been designated as the 6th Coast Battery).

The coast defences manned by the 1st Coast Regiment, W.A.A. at Bathurst in July 1941 were:

- one battery of two 5.5-inch guns operated by the 1st Coast Battery
- one battery of one 4-inch gun manned by the 2nd Coast Battery
- one battery of two 12-pounders in the A.M.T.B. role, one operated by the 2nd Coast Battery, one by the 3rd Battery.

Two 4.5-inch coast defence/anti-aircraft dual purpose guns arrived at Bathurst in mid-to-late 1941.  When these were eventually installed, around August/September 1942, they were operated by the 7th Battery of the 4th H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A. but were only to be used in the coast defence role.[8]  On 13th September 1941, the G.O.C. West Africa requested additional 4.5-inch dual purpose guns to cover the five-fathom channel at Bathurst, which had been found to be out of range of the existing defences.  The War Office approved this request in principle (these guns would be listed as still en route in July 1942).

On 22nd January 1942 the War Office asked for clarification on certain coast artillery dispositions and sought confirmation that the 4.5-inch dual purpose guns requested for Lagos and Takoradi were to be used in the anti-ship role.  The G.O.C. West Africa confirmed that this would be so.  A further eight 4.5-inch guns were allocated by the War Office in late January 1942: two for Takoradi; four for Bathurst; two for Lagos.[9]

On 8th March 1942, the War Office provided the Air Ministry with details of the coast defences of British West Africa:

Bathurst:
            Commander Gambia Area (a Major-General)
                        1st Coast Regiment, W.A.A (of three batteries)
                        4th H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A. (two H.A.A. and one L.A.A. Bty)
                        2nd Battalion, The Gambia Regiment (garrison battalion).
Freetown:
            Fortress H.Q., Commander (a Brigadier-General)
                        16th Coast Regiment, R.A. (of three batteries)
                        H.Q. 14th A.A. Brigade (two H.A.A. and one L.A.A. regiments)
                        3rd Battalion, The Sierra Leone Regiment (garrison battalion)
                        11th Battalion, The Nigeria Regiment (garrison battalion).
Takoradi:
            Fortress H.Q., Commander (a Brigadier-General)
                        3rd H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A.
                        6th Coast Battery, W.A.A.
                        6th Battalion, The Gold Coast Regiment (garrison battalion).
Accra:
                        one company, 6th Battalion, The Gold Coast Regiment (garrison battalion).
Lagos:
            Fortress H.Q., Commander (a Colonel)
                        2nd Coast Regiment, W.A.A. (of three batteries)
                        5th H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A. (two H.A.A. and one L.A.A. batteries)
                        13th Battalion, The Nigeria Regiment (garrison battalion).

Details of the coast artillery deployed were provided the Air Ministry on 12th March 1942:

Bathurst:
            - two 5.5-inch guns
            - four 4.5-inch guns
            - one 4-inch gun
            - two 12-pounders.
Freetown:
            - three 9.2-inch guns
            - four 6-inch guns
            - one 4-inch gun.
Takoradi:
            - eight 4.5-inch guns
            - two 12-pounders.
Lagos:
            - two 6-inch guns
            - two 4.5-inch guns
            - two 12-pounders
            - one 4-inch gun.
Accra:              
            nil.

Taking on board lessons from the disastrous loss of Singapore in February 1942, in April the War Office considered the option of using coast artillery in a landwards firing role.  Questions raised with West Africa included identifying which 9.2-inch and 6-inch guns might be employed effectively in the landwards role and the scales of suitable ammunition.

On 5th April 1942, the G.O.C. West Africa pointed out to the War Office that the installation of a third 9.2-inch gun at Freetown would be costly and likely to take eighteen months.  Given other priorities it was proposed that this installation might be deferred.  The War Office agreed to defer allocation of the third gun until West Africa could commit to the necessary construction work.

As a result of exercises with the Navy, the G.O.C. West Africa reported on 11th April 1942 that the close defence of the convoy assembly port of Takoradi was inadequate, the south-eastern boom only being covered by two 12-pounders and no guns deployed to cover the northern boom.  Two additional 12-pounders or a twin 6-pounder were requested.  The War Office accepted this request and agreed to approve the allotment of a twin 6-pounder.  However, as there would be a considerable delay in supplying this weapon, a pair of 75-mm guns on anti-tank platforms would be sent as an interim measure.

In July 1942, approval was given for two batteries of 5.25-inch guns at Freetown: two guns for Murraytown; two for Aberdeen.  On 1st August 1942, the War Office confirmed that delivery of the 5.2-inch guns would begin in early 1943.  The guns were to be deployed in the anti-ship role and were for:

- Freetown:       two 3-gun[sic] batteries ‘to replace’ Murraytown and Aberdeen
- Lagos:            one 3-gun[sic] battery ‘to replace’ Lighthouse.

Additional ‘equipments’ for Freetown were anticipated for the second half of 1943 but the issue for Lagos was not yet allocated.  A further signal that same day gave approximate delivery dates for the third 9.2-inch gun for Cockerill, Freetown, as October 1943 and for the twin 6-pounder for Takoradi as January 1943.

In August 1942, a fire control radar (C.D. Mk V) was allotted to Takoradi from the September production, followed by an additional set for Bathurst from the October production.  This was followed in October by the allotment of a set for Lagos (November production).  A further set was later allotted to Freetown.

General Sir Kenneth Loch undertook a tour of inspection of anti-aircraft [and coast] defences in the British Empire.  He issued his report on the anti-aircraft and coast defences for West African the Summer of 1942.  On 21st August 1942, the War Office sough the views of West Africa Command, with the rider that the British manpower ceiling could not be raised.  On 28th October 1942, West Africa Command sent its assessment of the report’s recommendations for expansion of the artillery in West Africa.  The then current British manpower ceilings were deemed adequate to meet the proposed artillery order of battle.  If the artillery were to have been increased, this would have required increases in other arms and services to support the artillery units, including signals, service corps, medical, ordnance and electrical and mechanical engineers.  Additional complications were highlighted including the recruitment of African soldiers and the provision of equipment and British personnel for which additional shipping would need to be found.  Given that the filling of existing vacancies was the priority, it was thought that implementation of the Loch report would be a ‘very long-term project’.

The composition of H.A.A. batteries in October 1942 was as follows – note the distribution of 4.5-inch guns - all operated by anti-aircraft units: [10]

Location	Battery	4.5-inch, two gun site	4.5-inch, four gun site	3.7-inch, two gun site	3.7-inch, four gun site
Gambia	7th H.A.A. Bty	2			1
	313th H.A.A. Bty				2
Sierra Leone	1st H.A.A. Bty	2		2
	2nd H.A.A. Bty				2
	5th H.A.A. Bty				2
	6th H.A.A. Bty		1		1
	197th H.A.A. Bty				2
	308th H.A.A. Bty				2
Gold Coast	3rd H.A.A. Bty	4
	4th H.A.A. Bty			2	1
	405th H.A.A. Bty			4
Nigeria	8th H.A.A. Bty	1		1	1
	251st H.A.A. Bty				2

The forecast for shipment of 5.25-inch guns, dated 11th November 1942, gave October/November for Freetown.  On 29th November 1942, the War Office advised that four naval 12-pounder guns on holdfasts, complete with stores, were being shipped shortly to Freetown for A/M.T.B. defence and to be installed at Aberdeen and Bullom.  The War Office advised on 10th January 1943 that, after review, the then present approved scales of coast artillery in West Africa was to be retained, with the exception of a second 4-inch gun for Bathurst.  The approved scale included a third 9.2-inch gun and the four 12-pounders for Freetown.  The anti-aircraft scales were also being reviewed and warning was given that West Africa Command should expect substantial reduction.  However, on 14th May 1943, the War Office advised that the future policy was to replace all 12-pounders with twin 6-pounders.

By late 1942, the war had moved a very long way from West Africa and the risk of attack to the ports had reduced to almost nil.  Understandably, the War Office now began looking for savings in manpower, guns and equipment.  It was agreed by the Chiefs of Staff on 30th December 1942 that there would be no reduction in coast defences for West Africa, albeit with the idea that the shipping of a further 9.2-inch and seven 5.25-inch guns for Freetown was no longer required.  The anti-aircraft defences were to be reduced to nil, with 3.7-inch and 40mm Bofors being retained only for training.  Anti-aircraft defence in Nigeria ceased, at the instruction of G.H.Q. West Africa, on 22nd February 1943.[11]  Several of the 4.5-inch dual purpose guns were to be retained for coast defence only.[12]

At the beginning of February 1943, the War Office advised that the Defence of Bases Committee would shortly review all coast artillery with a view to identifying manpower savings.  No proposals for the provision of additional personnel from the United Kingdom were to be considered.  West Africa Command was asked to reconsider the close defence role at Cockerill Battery, Freetown in view of these factors.  The Plan for the Defence of West Africa was agreed by the Defence of Bases Committee on 25th March 1943 and issued to West Africa Command in April 1943.

A signal dated 31st May 1943 ordered that the [eight] 4.5-inch guns at Takoradi were to remain emplaced in care and maintenance.  The War Office was to be advised which of the 4.5-inch guns were being manned on reduced establishment.

The monthly strength return provided by West Africa Command for the War Office, dated 4th June 1943, listed the following anti-aircraft equipment; included in the tally were the 4.5-inch guns:

Bathurst:
            - two 4.5-inch guns
            - eight static 3.7-inch H.A.A. guns
            - four mobile 3.7-inch guns
            - six 40mm Bofors
            - three GL Mk II radar sets.

Sierra Leone (Freetown):
            - eight 4.5-inch guns
            - 34 static 3.7-inch H.A.A. guns
            - six mobile 3.7-inch guns
            - eighteen 40mm Bofors
            - six GL Mk II radar sets.

Gold Coast (Takoradi):
            - eight 4.5-inch guns
            - eight static 3.7-inch H.A.A. guns
            - eight mobile 3.7-inch guns
            - 41 X 40mm Bofors
            - seven GL Mk II radar sets.

Nigeria (Lagos):
            - two 4.5-inch guns
            - ten static 3.7-inch H.A.A. guns
            - four mobile 3.7-inch guns
            - 71 X 40mm Bofors
            - three GL Mk II radar sets.

In June 1943, the G.O.C. West Africa signalled the War Office that high humidity and sea spray were likely to cause serious degradation of the 4.5-inch guns and equipment if they were to be left emplaced.  He advised that these be returned to Ordnance.  He also sought permission to treat all 6- and 4-inch guns then in care and maintenance also be returned to Ordnance if it became necessary.

These proposals were approved by the War Office on the condition that the holdfasts on which the guns were mounted were to be retained in situ.  With the withdrawal of many guns into storage, there was a reduced need for gun laying radar sets and these too were withdrawn. 

By August 1944, the War Office was in discussion with West Africa Command regarding the reduction of coast defence.  At this time, the release of British personnel for India was a priority.  On 10th August 1944, the War Office revised down the scale of attack for West Africa.  The only conceivable form of attack was that by a single U-boat, either bombardment or mine-laying.  Both possibilities were considered remote.  As a result, it was thought that all A/M.T.B. guns could be withdrawn in addition to the earlier [not seen] proposed reductions in coast defence artillery.  In addition, it was decided that the shipping of a further 9.2-inch and seven 5.25-inch guns for Freetown was no longer required, the existing 4.5-inch dual purpose guns would suffice.[13]

Two days later, the G.O.C. West Africa signalled his agreement to the withdrawal of the 12-pounders in the A/M.T.B. role but recommended the retention of the Takoradi twin 6-pounder at Freetown.   The Navy disagreed with the proposed withdrawal of the 12-pounders but were overruled.  On 21st August 1944, the Chiefs of Staff approved the relegation to care and maintenance of the following coast defences in West Africa:

Bathurst:
            - two 12-pounders

Freetown:
            - two 9.2-inch guns

Takoradi:
            - two 4.5-inch guns
            - two 12-pounders

Lagos:
            - two 12-pounders.

The twin 6-pounder at Takoradi was to be dismantled and stored at Freetown.

In May 1945, the War Office informed all overseas coast defence commands that the threat of U-boat attack on their bases was now considered negligible.  Coast artillery was no longer to be maintained in an operational state of readiness.  The future of coast artillery equipment and personnel would be discussed by the Defence of Bases Committee.

In July 1945, the War Office signalled West Africa Command that all coast artillery should be relegated to care and maintenance.  Only those guns and equipment necessary for training were to be retained in a ready state.  The maximum number of British personnel allocated to West Africa Command for coast artillery was now set at 100.

Click here to access the Index of Coast Defence Artillery Units - West Africa.

 

03 June 2025