Lagos Anti-Aircraft Detachment, W.A.A.
The Lagos Anti-Aircraft Detachment, W.A.A. formed before 6th January 1941, on which date arrived 2nd Lieutenant B.G. Abrahams, the unit then having a strength of two Officers and eight African Other Ranks. Two days later, the Officer previously in command, 2nd Lieutenant F.V. Scopes left.[1]
On 28th January 1941, a 12-pounder 12cwt gun arrived. Lieutenant J.G.M Gordon took command on 12th March. Between 24th and 25th April, four Naval 12-pounder guns were moved to Lighthouse Beach. However, by May it seems that only three were in action when two out of three were test fired on 8th and 10th May. It was found that all three converted 12-pounder guns were unsuitable for anti-aircraft work as they were unsafe for high angle fire. Lieutenant Gordon recommended that the guns be employed for coast or beach defence.[2]
The four 12-pounders, previously converted by being mounted on anti-aircraft mountings, were reconverted for the A.M.T.B. (Anti-Motor Torpedo Boat) role (beginning in October 1941) and presumably operated by the 2nd Coast Regiment, W.A.A. Two of these guns were later sent to Takoradi, where they were installed by 27th December 1941.[3]
In the meantime, anti-aircraft defences at Lagos were taken over by the 109th L.A.A. Battery, R.A. which arrived in late September 1941.
Summary history of the Lagos Anti-Aircraft Detachment, W.A.A.
© Steve Rothwell
03 August 2025