Coast Artillery Units in India December 1941

Discussion in 'British Indian Army' started by Bev Saylor, Aug 6, 2020.

  1. Bev Saylor

    Bev Saylor Member

    Hello, I'm new to this forum, but have been interested in military history (in particular the second world war) for decades. Now that I've retired (and I'm staying close to home due to the pandemic) I've found the time to indulge my interests.

    Looking for information on the Indian coast defenses at the start of the war in the Pacific. I've been able to find a little:
    Defended Port of Bombay (4-7.5", 3-6")
    Defended Port of Calcutta (2-6")
    Defended Port of Karachi (2-6")
    Defended Port of Madras (2-6")
    Defended Port of Cochin (2-6")
    Defended Port of Vizagapatam (2-6")

    But next to nothing on what Royal Artillery, or Indian Artillery, units manned the guns, or how they were organized. Any leads that you could provide would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
     
  2. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

  3. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here are a few pages from Palit's History of The Regiment of Artillery Indian Army.
    CoastIA01.jpg CoastIA02.jpg CoastIA03.jpg CoastIA04.jpg
     
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  4. Bev Saylor

    Bev Saylor Member

    Steve, Thanks for the prompt response! That book is where I found what I could on the subject. It provided the information on the strength of the defenses, and the RA batteries that were assigned. But the coverage stopped after the Indian Artillery batteries replaced them (logical I guess, given the focus of the book on the British Army....)
     
  5. Bev Saylor

    Bev Saylor Member

    However, the data you provided from the "History of Indian Artillery" was spot on & exactly what I was looking for! Thanks, again. BLS
     
  6. RobG64

    RobG64 Well-Known Member

    Hi Bev, on 3rd September 1939 India had limited coastal forces. The two most important ports were defended by Royal Artillery units. Karachi by 13th Heavy Battery, RA with two 7.5-inch guns and Bombay by 14th Heavy Battery RA also with two 7.5-inch guns. Calcutta, Madras and Cochin were allotted a medium battery, RA each on 3rd September 1939. (This meant that 6th Medium Regiment, RA of 18th, 19th and 23rd/24th Medium Batteries RA could reinforce these ports if necessary).
    In October 1939, I (Calcutta Port Defence) Brigade, RA, AF(I) was embodied at Calcutta to man four 18-pdr guns. In November 1939, military officers were appointed Fortress Commanders at each of the five defended ports (Karachi, Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and Cochin).
    On 25th May 1940 two Auxiliary Force (India) units were part embodied as an interim measure. No.10 (Bombay) Field Battery, RA, AF(I) manned three newly mounted 6-inch guns at Bombay and No.3 (Madras) Field Battery, RA (The Duke's Own), AF(I) manned three 18-pdr guns at Madras. Cochin was allotted 18th Medium Battery, RA (four 60-pdr guns) and operated as a Naval Coast Battery with two searchlights.
    In June 1940 the Coast Artillery Branch of the Indian Regiment of Artillery was raised to replace the Royal Artillery heavy and medium batteries at Karachi, Bombay and Cochin and the AF(I) unit at Calcutta:
    1st Indian Heavy Battery, IA - raised at Karachi on 1st July 1940 to replace 13th Heavy Battery, RA and take control of the two 7.5-inch guns
    2nd Indian Heavy Battery, IA - raised at Oyster Rock/Middle Ground, Bombay on 1st July 1940 to replace 14th Heavy Battery, RA and take control of the two 7.5-inch guns
    3rd Indian Heavy Battery, IA - raised at Bombay on 17th June 1940 with 50 British ORs from 14th Heavy Battery, RA and Indian NCO's from the Mountain Artillery. it was given 120 Madrassi recruits and later moved to Cochin to man two 6-inch guns
    4th Indian Heavy Battery, IA - raised at Karachi on 17th June 1940 with British ORs from 13th Heavy Battery, RA and Indian NCOs from the Mountain Artillery. It was given Bengali recruits and later moved to Diamond Harbour, Calcutta to replace the AF (I) unit

    NB: The 13th and 14th Heavy Batteries, RA were placed in suspended animation on 1st July 1940
    Vizagapatam was declared the sixth defended port and 5th Indian Heavy Battery, IA raised in October 1940 to defend it. By December 1940 the coastal artillery in India consisted of five regular and two Auxiliary Force batteries with four 7.5-inch guns, nine 6-inch guns and three 18-pdr guns

    In August 1941, 6th Indian Heavy Battery, IA was raised for service at Worli, Bombay and the 7th, 8th and 9th Indian Heavy Batteries, IA raised for service at Addu Atoll. On 15th November 1941, all the batteries were renamed Coast Battiries to avoid confusion with mobile heavy batteries/regiments and were regimented. Thus on 7th December 1941:
    Karachi - 1st Indian Coast Battery, IA (two 6-inch guns)
    Calcutta - 3rd Indian Coast Battery, IA (two 6-inch guns)
    Bombay - 2nd Indian Coast Battery, IA (two 7.5-inch guns and two 4.5-inch guns at Oyster Rock/Middle Ground) and
    6th Indian Coast Battery, IA (two 6-inch guns at Worli) and
    Bombay Coast Battery, RA, AF(I) (three 6-inch guns at Bombay Port)
    Madras - Madras Coast Battery, RA, AF(I) (two 6-inch guns)
    Cochin - 4th Indian Coast Battery, IA (two 6-inch guns)
    Vizagapatam - 5th Indian Coast Battery, IA (two 6-inch guns)

    RobG
     
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  7. Rothy

    Rothy Well-Known Member

    Ah that was David you need to thank for the History of Indian Artillery pages.
     
  8. Bev Saylor

    Bev Saylor Member

    My bad! Thank you David!!!!
     
  9. Bev Saylor

    Bev Saylor Member

    Thanks! The information for 7 Dec 41 is exactly what I was looking for!
     

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