Takoradi Fire Command

Takoradi Fire Command was formed on 1st May 1941 and consisted of a headquarters, three dual purpose anti-aircraft sections, two 2-pounder sections and a C.A.S.L. battery (the 6th Coast Battery, W.A.A.).  The Commanding Officer was Major M.J. McCarthy, R.A.[1]

Already present at Takoradi, having arrived 14th January 1941, were:

- one section 197th H.A.A. Bty, R.A.                  
- one troop (547) 71st L.A.A. Bty, R.A.[2]  

By the time of the formation of the Fire Command, in Takoradi there were two 4.5-inch dual purpose (anti-aircraft/coast defence) guns and four Bofors guns, manned by the detachments listed above.  Four additional 4.5-inch dual purpose guns and four coast defence searchlights (C.A.S.Ls.) were en route.  Two 12-pounder guns were to be transferred from Lagos, Nigeria (these were eventually installed in December 1941).[3]

British Officers, Other Ranks and ammunition began to arrive during May 1941.  On 30th May, reinforcements arrived from the United Kingdom for anti-aircraft duties: six Officers, two Warrant Officers and 107 Other Ranks.  A searchlight section of a Warrant Officer and fourteen Other Ranks arrived the same day.  These men disembarked the next day.[4]

[These men may have travelled on board the Highland Princess, which sailed from the Clyde on 9th May 1941 and arrived at Freetown on 24th May, then Takoradi on 29th May, Lagos on 2nd June and Durban 20th June.

Clyde, May 9, 1941                    ‘HP’ Convoy                  Freetown, May 24, 1941
Freetown, May 26, 1941             Independent                  Takoradi, May 29, 1941 
Takoradi, Jun 1, 1941                 Independent                  Lagos, Jun 2, 1941       
Lagos, Jun 3, 1941                    Independent                   Durban, Jun 13, 1941   
Durban, Jun 20, 1941                 Independent                   Buenos Aires, Jul 3, 1941           ]

The 3rd H.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. had been formed at Takoradi on 3rd June 1941 (tbc), absorbing the Takoradi detachment of the 197th H.A.A. Battery, R.A. and is presumed to have taken over the manning of the 4.5-inch dual purposes guns.[5]

On 8th June 1941, it was decided to move all four 40mm Bofors guns from the harbour to the aerodrome.  A proposal was submitted on 22nd June for the expansion of the light anti-aircraft troop.  A conference was held on 25th June to discuss ‘Africanisation’ and requirements from the United Kingdom.  Four 4.5-inch dual purpose guns arrived by ship on 12th August and were installed later that month and during September.[6]

A Battery H.Q. and one troop of light anti-aircraft artillery arrived on 24th September 1941.  This is thought to have been 'T' L.A.A. Bty, R.A.[7]

On 24th October 1941, 192 reinforcements for both heavy and light anti-aircraft artillery arrived.  These are believed to have included the H.Q. ‘C’ H.A.A. Regiment, R.A. and the Battery H.Q. and one section of the 405th H.A.A. Battery, R.A.[8]

That same day, 24th October 1941, the R.H.Q., ‘C’ Regiment was re-designated to become the 3rd H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A.  The new Regiment was joined by the 2nd L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. on 24th October 1941, apparently formed from ‘T’ L.A.A. Battery which had travelled to West Africa with Convoy WS 11.  The new battery was formed of ten Officers, 124 B.O.R.s and 91 African Other Ranks (A.O.R.s).  While the 405th H.A.A. Battery, R.A. remained non-operational, the 2nd L.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. was already manning four, single Bofors gun sites around Takoradi, identified as B1-B4.  Further Bofors sites were brought into action: B7 on 11th November; B5 on 12th November.  On 12th November, four static 3.7-inch heavy anti-aircraft guns and associated stores, all belonging to the 405th H.A.A. Battery, R.A., were unloaded from the S.S. Beckenham.  Two more Bofors sites were brought into action: B8 on 13th November; B6 on 14th November.[9]

On 10th December, the 3rd H.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. and the 6th Coast Battery, W.A.A. became part of the 3rd H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A.  The 3rd H.A.A. Battery, W.A.A. had been formed at Takoradi on 3rd June 1941 (tbc), absorbing the Takoradi detachment of the 197th H.A.A. Battery, R.A.[10]

It seems that the 3rd H.A.A. Regiment, W.A.A.  took over the units and responsibilities formerly under the command of the Takoradi Fire Command, presumably from 10th December 1941.[11]

[The war diary of Takoradi Fire Command ends on 30th November 1941.]

17 September 2025