Sorry I got this round the wrong way. Anyone know if 94 HAA was converted to a Seaforth Highlanders Battalion in 1944. I think this may be a red herring but thought I'd ask just in case.
have you checked this link? http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/inf/index.html ps. there's 2 pages click 'more' at bottom .
Owen see above-I've edited it as I got it the wrong way around. I want to know what happened to the men in this unit: http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/haa/page56.html
94 HAA went into suspended animation in July 1944 so it's possible that some of the regiment were transferred to the infantry, as was done in NW Europe. According to Sym, 6 Seaforth, with the rest of 5 Div, was pulled out of Italy to North Africa to rest and refit around June 1944 (p271) - date and destination tally quite well with 94 HAA's details...
Remember once the Allies had air superiority later in the war lots of AA units disbanded & men sent elsewhere, as Ron will tell you. I've read of infantry units getting lots of ex-AA gunners , some of whom had only served in the UK until late 44 early 45.
Owen the plain fact is that early on in the war the Luftwaffe was strong and so we needed lots of AA men - from Infantry - by June '44 the Luftwaffe was concentrated around Germany and thus the AA men were superfluous - first in Italy and later NWE so the reverse process was put in hand and AA men became Infantry and even Tank men Cheers
Actually, while some changed cap badge, some were converted to the 600 - 639 Regiments RA organised as infantry.
excellent thread here on 600 regt. http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/19926-infantry-assault-by-600-5th-battalion-duke-of-wellingtons-west-riding-regiment-15-april-1945/
Hi Drew My father was in the RAOC/REME workshop of the 94th HAA Regt. From what I've read, the Regiment disbanded in June/July 1944. I have some of the diaries for 1944 and I've picked out anything possibly connected. 94th HAA Workshops (El Kebir) - 11 July 44 - "(All) Personnel (2 offs 64 ORs) posted to x(iv) list REME base depot and S of I (???)" My father was transferred into 23rd Armoured Brigade REME workshops on 22 June 1944. Last (ever vehicle) casualty no 67, 11 July 1944. 292 Bty, 94th HAA Regt (KILO 5) 14 June 1944 - Regiment addressed by Maj General Maxwell MC RA 17 June 1944 - BQMS, 9 NCOs and 41 ORs left for Base Depot Royal Artillery. 18 June 1944 - 34 ORs left for Base Depot Royal Artillery, 4 BORs left for MEOSB (???) 19 June 1994 - 1 Off left for ITD Geneifa (???), 8 Offs and 35 ORs left for Base Depot Royal Artillery. 20 June 1944 - 2 BORs left for MEOSB (???), 6 BORs left for Base Depot Royal Artillery. 20 June 1944 - (10 Offs, 198 BORs, 78 AORs) - "The battery has now been disbanded, with the result that the infantry have only been augmented by 8 Offs and 67 ORs". "the great objection being that the unit has not been kept together" . Three "interview boards" were held on the 14/15 June. I am unsure what they were interviewing for. Hope this helps Gus
Definitely disbanded I would say. It happened in NWE in August 1944. With their RA experience, some would have been sent as replacements to other RA units and/or with minimal training, the rest were sent to Infantry units as replacements. I doubt that they would form a complete battalion of Infantry. Only individual service records would tell you for sure where men were posted. Disbanded troops from my Dad's unit went mainly to the 4th Lincolns (mentioned in a personal diary), possibly because some of the Officers and men were originally converted from 7th Lincolns and had previously trained as Infantry before converting to LAA.
Cheers all- I had an email today whilst I was at work - 6 Battalion was mentioned in that so it looks like Andy is right. I wouldn't mind but I have that book ! Gus did your father go to NWE?
Hi Drew No, he went to Egypt, Palestine, then Greece and from what I've read about Greece, maybe NWE would've been a safer option. Gus
My father was transferred from 192bty 94th HAA to the Seaforths. With 15th Scottish Div finished up in Lubeck. There are also Y Div (?Yorkshire) insignia with his other Army souvenirs. ?Why.
I would imagine that on disbandment the 94th Heavy AA Regiment gunners would have fed into a Scottish regiment since they were formed in Scotland and were located as follows in September 1939: 94th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. (T.A.) HQ, 291st Bty: Turnhouse, Edinburgh 228th (Edinburgh) Bty: Edinburgh 292nd Bty: Musselburgh
My uncle served with 261 Bty 94 HAA until disbandment, he was transferred to 2 Bn Northants, 17th Inf Brigade , 5th Div and served in NWE until the end of hostilities.
Tugboat. Yes that was very common because the anti-aircraft threat had practically disappeared and the Allies has air supremacy. LAA and HAA Regts were no longer required. By the contrast, the infantry battalions were on their knees. In Aug 44, infantry battalions in Italy dropped from four Rifle Companies to just three. Regards Frank
