RA and Black Cats in Burma

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by SteveStone, Feb 25, 2013.

  1. mapshooter

    mapshooter Senior Member

    Full record of 82 LAA/ATk Regt RA and precursor units from Orders of Battle Second World War 1939-35 Vol II by Lt Col HF Joslen. This is the Official History.

    82 Atk Regt (205, 228, 276 & 284 Btys)

    There is no record before arrival in India, this means it was under command of a Command or HQ above divisional level.

    9-1-42 Arrived in India from UK, moved to Jhansi under comd 23 Ind Inf Div
    26-3-42 Moved to Ranchi area
    1-6-42 Moved to Assam (Manipur Rd)
    30-5-42 205 & 284 Btys leave regt for Calcutta
    17-6-42 Moved to Imphal
    12-11-42 Under comd 17 Ind Inf Div
    26-11-42 Converted to 82 LAA/Atk Regt

    82 LAA/Atk Regt (87 & 88 LAA btys, 285 & 292 Atk Btys)

    26-11-42 Stationed at Imphal under Comd 17 Ind Div.
    10-12-42 87 & 88 Btys join Regt
    21-5-43 Moved to Shillong
    13-11-43 Moved to Imphal Tiddim Road
    1-1-44 In Burma
    28-2-44 Located at Monglong
    3-4-44 Located Imphal Plain
    17-9-44 Moved to Ranchi India
    10-44 Reconverted to 82 Atk Regt
    10-44 Re-converted to 82 Atk Regt, btys 88, 228 & 276. Stationed in Ranchi with 17 Ind Inf Div
    6-12-44 88 Atk Bty redesignated 87 Atk Bty
    16-1-45 Arrived Wanjing, Burma/Assam borde2-2-45 Moved to Tamu
    7-2-45 Moved into Burma (Kalemyo) with Div
    28-2-45 Located at Meiktila with 17 Ind Inf Div
    30-4-45 Located on Rangoon Rd
    31-5-45 Located at Nyaungbintha
    28-6-45 Ceased to function as a Regt owing to large part of personnel going to UK on leave. Remainder of personnel left begind were formed into composite Bty.

    24 LAA Regt (86, 87 & 88 Btys)

    1942 Arrived in India from UK and moved to Calcutta under Comd 1 Ind AA Bde
    1-7-42 88 Bty moved to Chittagong, Arakan
    20-9-42 Moved to Gauhati, Assam, 88 Bty joined Regt: New Bty formed - "X" Bty.
    15-11-42 Converted to 24 LAA/Atk Regt

    24 LAA/Atk Regt

    15-11-42 Converted from 24 LAA Regt. Composition was 86 & 491 LAA Btys. 205 & 284 Atk Btys from 82 Atk Regt. Under Comd 39 Ind Inf Div but temp under 26 Ind Inf Div for administration.
    10-3-43 Moved to Lohardaga with 39 Ind Inf Div
    18-8-43 Under Comd 7 Ind Inf Div
    25-8-43 Moved to Piska
    16-9-43 Moved to Arakan via Madras
    11-6-44 Moved to Ranchi area
    1-9-44 Redesignated 24 Atk Regt with 205, 86 & 284 Btys

    24 Atk Regt (205, 86 & 284 Atk Btys)

    1-9-44 Stationed in Ranchi area under Comd 7 Ind Inf Div
    6-10-44 Moved to Kohima with 7 Ind Inf Div
    6-1-45 Moved to Burma Kan
    6-5-45 Flew out of Burma to Chittagong Arakan
    9-6-45 Arrived in Quetta, under Comd Quetta Area, NW Army.

    Can't see any obvious connects with 2 Inf Div (Crossed Keys):-

    Atk Regts - 13 (until 2-J7-42) then 100, which became 100 LAA/Atk and back to Atk.
    LAA Regts - 89 LAA in early 1942 in UK for a few months and 60 LAA in mid 1943 in India for a few months.

    60 LAA moved around in India and was variously under command of 13 AA Bde, 3 Ind AA Bde, 2 Inf Div, 1 RM AA Bde, 33 Ind Corps (20-11-43 to 21-6-44), 9 AA Bde & 166 L of C Sub-area.
     
  2. SteveStone

    SteveStone Junior Member

    That's an amazing amount of detail. Thank you for digging that up. The only thing I can add to that is info from Royal Artillery 1939-45

    Sep 1941: 82nd AT Reg't (TA) formed from 52, 57, 69, 71 ATk. Home Forces, UK.

    This site also has detailed info on insignia, tech specs for the guns, etc.
     
  3. SteveStone

    SteveStone Junior Member

    Well, I got lucky and found out that my niece already has dad's service record and we're meeting up next week. His Army number is 1841969. Hope to have the service record next week.

    Is there any research I can do with just the Army number?
     
  4. SteveStone

    SteveStone Junior Member

    Hi everyone, I got a copy of my dad's army records. Sorry I got it completely wrong before, but it was an interesting introduction to military research.
    There are a lot of references here I don't understand, so your help would be appreciated.


    Luxton, Ernest Walter
    Enlisted: 11th September 1941
    Trade on enlistment: ships joiner
    Army Number: 1841969
    Assigned to 209th AA Training Regt RA until 25th September, then assigned to 223rd HAATR. Under “miscellaneous entries” is noted: 2/243, and A&S group 38c.

    8 Oct 41: Posted 233rd HAA Training Regt, C Battery, Towyn.
    2 Nov 41: Appointed U/L/Bdr.
    8 Nov 41: Posted 8th AA Training Regt.
    12 Dec 41: Posted to 56th HAA Regt.

    The 56th HAA RA is a Cornish regiment.
    In Sep 1939 it comprised 165, 201, 202, 203 batteries.
    In Sep 1940 it comprised 55th AA Brigade and 8th AA Reserve Regt.

    Dad always said Black Cat was a Brigade, but the 17th Indian Division are not involved. As this is the only brigade reference noted, perhaps the 55th AA Brigade used a Black Cat insignia?

    3 Jan 42: 201st/56th Proceeded to embarkation, Southampton
    10 Mar 42: Disembarked, Bombay
    22 Apr 42: Admitted to BMH Madras
    24 Apr 42: Discharged from BMH Madras
    9 Aug 42: Appointed P/L/Bdr. O2E 3077/56th HAA/2
    26 Oct 42: Posted to X(ii) list RA in India on admission to hospital
    29 Oct 42: Posted to 201st/56th HAA RA on discharge from hospital

    Found no mention of medical condition relating to this time, but assume it was a blown-out eardrum, as this is mentioned later on. He was sent back to front line service despite one doctor saying that he should not be firing heavy guns and that a second operation in the Indian climate could be fatal.

    Feb 43: The 56th HAA Regt joined with the 3rd Indian AA Brigade.
    8 Mar 43: Posted to X(ii) list RA on admission to BMH Madras
    8 Mar 43: Relinquishes paid appointment of L/Bdr having been in hospital in excess of 21 days
    27 Apr 43: Posted to 201st/56th HAA bty
    12 Aug 43: Posted to X(ii) list RA on admission to hospital
    3 Sep 43: Posted to 56th HAA from X list
    3 Sep 43: Attached to British Attached Section and placed in category C1 permanent
    6 Sep 43: Attached to British Attached Section and attached to RA depot
    12 Aug 43: Reclassified in class 1
    12 Aug 43: Relinquishes paid appointment of L/Bdr having been in hospital in excess of 21 days
    1 Nov 43: Posted to RA depot. Sub-posted to 5th (???) bty

    Not researched the functions or movements of these units as yet, but there are notes in the army record saying he was training gunners on AA guns.

    5 Jan 44: Posted to 270/77th LAA Regt RA
    18 Jan 44: Examined by medical board held at 681 GH and placed in category C1 permanent
    19 Jan 44: Fronted arrears of W.P.P. and placed in category C1 permanent
    Feb 44: The 56th HAA Regt joined with the 33rd Indian Division.
    26 Jun 44: Posted to B.B.R.C.
    30 Jun 44: Attached D.S.D. Colaba
    Jul 44: The 56th HAA Regt becomes the 86th Medium Regt.
    11 Sep 44: Reclassified Gunner , class 1A, scale D

    Very little detail on the 77th LAA, which disbanded in Nov 1944.

    The situation with the medical case is basically this: one army doctor says that Ernie is fit for active service. Another says not only is he not fit for active service, that he should never fire a heavy gun again and that another operation in the Indian climate might be fatal. This is finally sorted out by an Indian doctor on the medical board.

    15 Apr 45: B.B.R.C. Posted to Air Dispatch Training Depot, Chaklala. WEF. Assigned to 458th/46th LAA Regt
    20 Apr 45: A.T.D.C. Chaklala. Y.O.S. this unit (LAA 714/3) from X4. BBRC
    11 Sep 45: Disembarked Madras, Python
    12 Sep 45: Posted to 77th LAA Regt RA, SEAC pending relegation to W/W(T) Reserve
    5 Nov 45: Proceeded to home address. On leave till 26th Nov.
    27 Nov 45: Relegated to W/W(T) Reserve, class B release

    Need to research BBRC and ATDC Chaklala. One story mentions that Ernie was one of six UK soldiers on an American base which air-dropped supplies.

    I would like to be able to trace these movements on a map. Any info and research advice about who was where and when and doing what would be very much appreciated.

    Regarding the lost brother on the Burma Railroad, this was my dad's brother-in-law, Johnny Raynesford, who is listed on the memorial.

    Best regards,
    Steve
     
  5. ezal46

    ezal46 New Member

    I've just come across this thread. From his army records I have discovered that my father was in 165 Battery of the 56th (Cornwall) Anti-Aircraft Brigade. I know that they were involved in the defence of Plymouth during the Blitz and his records show that he embarked from Liverpool for Iraq on 4/1/42 but actually ended up in India on 9/5/42 where he stayed until 6/2/45.
     
  6. Charpoy Chindit

    Charpoy Chindit Junior Member

    That's 56 (Cornwall) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. It was converted and redesignated as 86 (Cornwall) Medium Regiment in 1944.
     
  7. grankin

    grankin New Member

    Hi from a newbie!
    I have been researching my father's history in India/Burma from 42-45.
    He was in the 129th Field Regiment Royal Artillery.
    Throughout 43 he was between Imphal and Tiddim. Fought at Kennedy Peak around Jan 44.
    Up and down the Tiddim Road through to Sept 44.
    On RR with malaria.
    Jan 45 back to Imphal to Tamu to Meiktila.
    May - Sept 45 advance on Rangoon.
    I am thinking of visiting the area at the end of 2014.
    regards
     
  8. Jim558

    Jim558 New Member

    My father Sgt Jim MacKenzie was in 129 Field Regt RA, interested in any information, war diaries etc
    jim489558@btinternet.com
     
  9. oddsods

    oddsods Active Member

    Hi All
    I'm a little late in finding this thread....but dad was with the 82nd LAA/ATk then after conversion the 82nd ATk from 1942 /45 he was originally with the 24th LAA RA 88 Bty......I have posted a couple of pictures to another area of this site, but thought it might not hurt to re-post them here.
    My dad was L/Bdr William (Bill ) Barnes #1539973...He spoke of the death of a comrade...Gnr William ( Billy ) Roberts, March 1944, it affected him greatly...anyway here are the pics
     

    Attached Files:

  10. bds170098

    bds170098 New Member

    Hello,

    My late grandfather was a Battery Commander and Adjutant of 82nd Anti-Tank Regiment RA during the Burma Campaign.

    I have a number of documents and photos of their service during the campaign. This includes the original Regimental history. I will try and post this over time, but if anyone is specific questions on individuals then let me know.

    Yours,

    Ben
     
  11. eweology

    eweology Junior Member

    Hi Ben,
    My Dad was Sgt. Albert Parr and served with the 276 Battery of the 82nd Anti-Tank Regiment in Burma.
     
  12. bds170098

    bds170098 New Member

    87 Battery, 82 AT Regt. The Dead End Kids
     

    Attached Files:

    Chris C likes this.
  13. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Hi all,

    I know this is an old thread, but I noted that an acquaintance of mine, Ray Goodacre, who has been writing about the 57th, 67th, and the 82nd Anti-Tank Regiments has a second edition of his 82nd book. (He does not know that I'm writing this.)

    I got his book about the 57th in the UK and North Africa. It was a small book, but well done. I'm sure that if anyone who has participated in this thread has a family connection to one of these regiments and gets in touch with him, he'd probably be thrilled to chat.

    Books | The 57th and 67th Anti-tank Regiments
     
    wtid45 likes this.

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