Hi All, After confirmation, if possible, of the Command that my Grandfathers Battery would have been under during his time in the Maldives and Colombo 1943 - 1944. I suspect they were under Ceylon Command, and ultimately under the 14th Army, but can anyone confirm? Any help is much appreciated. Regards James
James, only just saw your item. I know it was 5 years ago but if you are still on-line we might be able to help each other out. There is very little info about Indian Artillery but for what it's worth, here's some info on 102nd 17th (Madrassi) Light AA Regiment IA - formed 1 April 1943 with 101, 102 & 103 Light AA Batteries IA 102 Light AA Battery IA became independent and after training and equipping it served on Addu Atoll from 25 November 1943 to 6 May 1944 (Island Fortresses under command Ceylon Army Command) 102 Light AA Battery IA sailed to Colombo, Ceylon and came under command 23rd British AA Brigade, RA (Ceylon Army Command, Colombo Fortress?) from May 1944 until May 1945 when the brigade was disbanded Interestingly, you name it a composite battery. For want of any other knowledge, I believe that when 3rd Searchlight/Light AA Regiment C.G.A. took over the guns and gun positions of 76th Light AA Regiment, RA in January 1945 and was re-named 3rd Light AA Regiment C.G.A. some of the searchlights were taken over by 103rd Light AA Battery IA, 17th Light AA Regiment IA (in Colombo, Ceylon from September 1943) and became a composite battery. With 102nd in Colombo at the same time (January 1945) it could be possible that it too manned searchlights as well as some light aa guns. Regards RobG64
In addition, Ceylon Army Command (along with 14th Army) was under command 11th Army Group from 16th October 1943 to 11th November 1944 and then HQ A.L.F.S.E.A to 31st August 1945. HQ Ceylon Army Command included the Indian Ocean Bases under its command. HQ Ceylon Army Command downgraded to HQ Ceylon District in July 1945 RobG64
