51st (Highland) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 51st (Highland) Searchlight Regiment, RA124th (Highland) Light AA Regiment, RA |
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Royal Artillery cap badge (pre-1953)
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| Active | 1 November 1938–10 March 1955 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Territorial Army |
| Type | Searchlight Regiment Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment |
| Role | Air Defence |
| Part of | 3rd AA Division 7th AA Division 75th AA Brigade 76th AA Brigade |
| Garrison/HQ | Dundee |
| Engagements | The Blitz Normandy North West Europe |
The 51st (Highland) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery was a special Scottish army unit. It was part of Britain's Territorial Army (TA). The TA was made of part-time soldiers who trained for war. This unit was created just before World War II to defend against air attacks.
Later, it became an anti-aircraft (AA) artillery unit. It fought in the North West Europe Campaign from 1944 to 1945. The unit continued to serve in the TA after the war, until the 1950s.
Contents
How the Unit Started
This unit began with two smaller groups called AA Companies. They were part of the Royal Engineers (RE). These groups formed in Aberdeen and Dundee in 1935. They used powerful searchlights to find enemy aircraft at night.
As Britain prepared for war, more TA air defence units were needed. So, on November 1, 1938, the two companies joined together. They formed a new group called the 51st (Highland) AA Battalion, RE. A third company was also added.
The battalion was set up like this:
- HQ Company in Dundee
- 319 (City of Aberdeen) AA Company in Aberdeen
- 320 (City of Dundee) AA Company in Dundee
- 404 AA Company in Cowdenbeath
In February 1939, all TA air defence units came under a new group. This group was called Anti-Aircraft Command.
World War II Service
Getting Ready for War
In June 1939, some TA units began to get ready for war. This was called 'couverture'. Each air defence unit took turns manning important searchlight positions. On August 24, just before war was declared, all AA Command units were fully ready. They moved to their war stations.
Soon after, the 51st AA Battalion joined the 52nd Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade. This new brigade was in Stirling. Its job was to provide searchlights for 3rd AA Division in Scotland.
Becoming a Searchlight Regiment
On August 1, 1940, the searchlight battalions changed. They moved from the Royal Engineers to the Royal Artillery (RA). So, the unit became the 51st (Highland) Searchlight Regiment, RA (TA).
It stayed with the 52 AA Brigade during the Battle of Britain. It also helped during The Blitz. This was when German planes bombed British cities. Clydebank in Scotland was hit very hard.
Changing to an Anti-Aircraft Regiment
On February 14, 1942, the regiment changed its role. It became a Light Anti-Aircraft (LAA) artillery unit. Its new name was 124 (Highland) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, RA (TA). Its companies also got new numbers.
During May 1942, the 124th LAA Regiment finished its training. It also got new equipment. Then, it joined the 30th (Northumbrian) AA Brigade. This brigade protected Tyneside and Sunderland.
By March 1943, the regiment had moved again. It was in the Gloucester area. By August 1943, it left AA Command. It joined the Second Army. This army was getting ready in England for Operation Overlord. This was the plan to invade Europe.
Fighting in North West Europe
LAA regiments at this time used Bofors 40 mm guns. These guns were good at shooting down low-flying aircraft. They had special sights to help aim. The 124th LAA Regiment also had a workshop for repairs. It also had a team for communications.
The 124 LAA Regiment went to Normandy in late August 1944. It was part of the 75th Anti-Aircraft Brigade. Their first job was to defend the Caen area. This included the Caen Canal and River Orne bridges.
Two weeks later, Canadian soldiers captured Ostend. The 124 LAA Regiment moved up the coast to defend it. In November, it moved again. This time, it guarded the Scheldt estuary. This was an important waterway.
When the war ended, most of the 124 LAA Regiment was on the south bank of the Scheldt. One part, 411 Battery, was on the north bank.
On January 9, 1945, four Bofors guns from 411 LAA Battery hit a German Biber midget submarine. It was operating near South Beveland. The regiment also used Bofors guns on two special boats. These boats were called Landing Craft Flak. They operated in the estuary.
After VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), the 124 LAA Regiment moved into Germany. It helped guard the Dortmund–Bochum area. The regiment stayed there as part of the British Army of the Rhine. It was officially put on hold on June 8, 1946.
After the War
The Territorial Army was restarted on January 1, 1947. The regiment was reformed as the 586 (Highland) LAA Regiment, RA. Its main base was in Dundee. It was part of the 78th AA Brigade.
In March 1949, the regiment changed its name again. It became the 586 (Highland) LAA/Searchlight Regiment, RA. This meant it could do both jobs.
In March 1955, Anti-Aircraft Command was closed down. The 586 Regiment then joined another unit. It became part of the 276th (Highland) Field Regiment, RA.
Special Leader
A retired officer, Honorary Captain C.A. Carlow, was given a special role. He was named Honorary Colonel of the battalion on October 12, 1938.
Unit Badge
The 124 LAA Regiment wore a special badge on their shoulder. It was a Scottish saltire. This is a cross like the one on the Scottish flag. It was blue on a red background. These were the colors of the Royal Engineers.
Online Information
- British Army units from 1945 on
- British Military History
- Orders of Battle at Patriot Files
- The Royal Artillery 1939–45
- Graham Watson, The Territorial Army 1947
