List of British anti-aircraft brigades of the Second World War facts for kids

During World War II, the United Kingdom had special military groups called anti-aircraft brigades. Their main job was to protect cities and important places from enemy airplanes. They used big guns and searchlights to shoot down planes or scare them away. These brigades were a vital part of Britain's defence, keeping people safe from air raids.

Britain's Air Defenders: Anti-Aircraft Brigades

Imagine enemy planes flying over your town, trying to drop bombs. That's where anti-aircraft brigades came in! They were military units trained to defend against air attacks. They used powerful anti-aircraft guns that could shoot shells high into the sky. Some brigades also used huge searchlights to find enemy planes at night, making it easier for the gunners to aim.

These brigades were made up of soldiers from different parts of the British Army, including the Royal Artillery and the Royal Marines. They played a crucial role in defending Britain during the Blitz, when German planes bombed many British cities. They also served in other parts of the world where British forces were fighting.

Famous Anti-Aircraft Brigades

Many anti-aircraft brigades were formed during the war. Each had its own number and sometimes a special name. Here are a few examples of these important units:

• 1st Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade was very busy! It fought in the Battle of France early in the war. After that, it helped defend Britain at home. Later, it moved to North Africa for the North African campaign and finished the war in the Levant, which is a region in the Middle East.

• 6th Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade was later given a new number and became the 102nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade. This often happened during the war as military needs changed.

• 27th (Home Counties) Anti-Aircraft Brigade: Towards the end of the war, in January 1945, this brigade changed its role completely. It was re-designated, meaning it was given a new name and purpose, becoming the 303rd Infantry Brigade. This meant its soldiers would now fight as regular infantry (foot soldiers) instead of just defending against air attacks.

• 38th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade: Similar to the 27th, this brigade also changed its role in January 1945. It became the 304th Infantry Brigade. "Light" anti-aircraft units often used smaller, more mobile guns to protect moving troops or specific targets.

• 39th Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade also got a new number, becoming the 103rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade. Then, in April 1945, it changed again to become the 103rd Infantry Brigade.

• 49th Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade was re-designated as the 305th Infantry Brigade in January 1945.

• 53rd Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade was re-designated as the 106th Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

• 55th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade became the 306th Infantry Brigade in January 1945.

• 59th Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade was re-designated as the 307th Infantry Brigade in January 1945.

• 61st Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade also changed its role, becoming the 308th Infantry Brigade in January 1945.

• 70th Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade was re-designated as the 104th Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

• 72nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade: This brigade was re-designated as the 105th Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

Other Anti-Aircraft Brigades

There were many other anti-aircraft brigades that played their part in defending Britain and its allies during the war. Each one contributed to the overall effort to protect against air attacks. Some of these included:

• 2nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 4th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 5th Searchlight Brigade
• 5th Royal Marine Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 7th Light Anti-Aircraft/Searchlight Brigade
• 8th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 9th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 10th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 11th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 12th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 13th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 14th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 15th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 16th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 17th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 18th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 20th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 21st Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 22nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 23rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 24th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 25th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 26th (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 28th (Thames and Medway) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 29th (East Anglian) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 30th (Northumbrian) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 31st (North Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 32nd (Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 33rd (Western) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 34th (South Midland) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 35th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 36th (Scottish) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 37th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 40th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 41st (London) Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 42nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 43rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 44th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 45th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 46th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 47th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 48th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 50th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 51st Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 52nd Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 54th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 56th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 58th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 60th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 62nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 63rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 64th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 65th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 66th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 67th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 68th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 69th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 71st Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 73rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 74th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 75th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 76th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 77th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 79th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 80th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 81st Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 82nd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 83rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 101st Anti-Aircraft Brigade
• 107th Anti-Aircraft Brigade

See also

• British Army during the Second World War