522 HY (M) A.A. Battery, R.A. ? Location

[Bodston]

I have drawn a blank after an extensive internet search. I did however stumble across an interesting piece on the compatative use of women in combat by the various warring nations. There is a piece on the ATS and AA mixed batteries somewhere near the top.

[the_historian]

Can I make a suggestion? Are you sure the designation isn't 522 Medium HAA Battery RA? In my experience, that's usually what the (M) indicates. Can't explain the presence of the 'HY' though, since 'Heavy' was usually abbreviated to 'Hvy'.

[Bodston]

Originally Posted by the_historian

Can I make a suggestion? Are you sure the designation isn't 522 Medium HAA Battery RA? In my experience, that's usually what the (M) indicates. Can't explain the presence of the 'HY' though, since 'Heavy' was usually abbreviated to 'Hvy'.

I'm almost sure that the (M) indicates a mixed unit in RA speak. A Medium, Heavy Battery makes no sense at all.

[Bodston]

A prize for the best academic title..

‘I Love the Scent of Cordite in Your Hair’: Gender Dynamics in Mixed Anti-Aircraft Batteries during the Second World War
Gerard J. De Groot
1University of St Andrews

Abstract

During the Second World War, labour shortages forced the British government to introduce women from the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) into anti-aircraft batteries. The decision was controversial since it brought women closer to active combat than they had ever been in the past. In order to preserve the non-combatant status of women, the female recruits were not allowed to load or fire the guns. Their roles were instead restricted to plotting and aiming. Though there was at first some resistance to the idea of mixed batteries, this came not from the Royal Artillery, but rather from senior officers in the ATS. This article examines the experiences of the women concerned, and of the men who fought with them. Special attention is given to the ways in which women were prevented from being fully assimilated into gunner units. The article also assesses the effect which this experience had upon gender identity and relations, and upon the role of women in war. Primary source material is supplemented by interviews with former members of the mixed batteries.

From here

[the_historian]

That's what I was thinking, Bod.

[Bodston]

Originally Posted by the_historian

That's what I was thinking, Bod. I managed to find reference to a Dorsetshire Heavy Coast Artillery Regiment, formed 1924, which became 522 (Dorset) Coast Reg in 1940.
Can they be linked?

I'd spotted them too. I don't think they are our boys, or girls.
The trouble seems to be a lack of OOB's (Order of Battle) for the UK in 1944. There are some for AA Command in 1940 but then nothing. So if this is a war raised unit, which owing to its high number it would seem to be, it does not appear on the early lists.
I have found a manpower list that states the Command Order of Battle for June 1944, stood at 161,108 men and 74,678 women. Mainly in the south-east of England.

[Canberra Man]

Any history of 46(m) HAA Regiment. I was posted to them early 1949 and ended up as Battery clerk on 117 bty. I did two practice camps, one at Bude in Cornwall and at Towyn West Wales. You can tell how much I did'nt like the Artillery, five months after demob, I was in the Royal Air Force!

Ken