Evening, I believe that there was a coastal defence battery just down the road from us at Hengistbury Head, just outside Bournemouth, during WW2. I think it was manned by 172 coastal battery, R.A.. I am trying to find out more about how big this was, how long it was there for etc. If any one could help me out, or point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dale.
Hi Owen From my limited research at this point the core element of the coastal battery became the field regiment after the threat of German invasion decreased in 1942. Would this seem logical? I will dig around a little more.
It might be worth contacting this group as their website has: From: UNITED KINGDOM FORTIFICATIONS CLUB DATABASE, PILLBOX STUDY GROUP Their website has a contact from: Contact us | The Pillbox Study Group Website. My recollection is that UKFC is now defunct, perhaps they will know where the data is? Report of the battery being action: From: 75 years ago - moved to Southbourne Although they are very likely closed, would the Visitor CEntre know, sometimes these places get intrigued by their history: The Visitor Centre I see one website refers to:
hi Owen thats a road I haven't travelled, I've been dipping in and out of my grandfathers journey at present.
Very interesting comments above as some time ago I was studying 373 Bty Coastal Artillery at West Mersea. They seem to have been there before in WW1 before going to Gallipoli and turned up in West Mersea in 1940 with two 4.7 inch guns in caissons. They seem to have been closed down in 1942 appearing as a Field Regt training at Bulford, later going to Normandy. A number of men from 373 were put through OCTU and posted to other Regiments ending up in Tunisia and Italy. See Mersea Island Museum Images WW2. Mersea Museum A Novel Ice-Cream Parlour. Mr Dawson is to ... I was of the opinion that the Coastal Battery was numbered as such to confuse the enemy as part of Operation Fortitude with a large number of infantry and AA units defending the nearby airfield, it would have created a lot of signals traffic. 373 Bty was part of 10 Group Coastal Artillery commanded from Clacton. It seems from the comments above that there were more units using previous Field Regt designations. I could find no records of 373 Coastal Battery or 10 Group, being specialists you might be able to find out who they were.
373 Coast Battery was part of 10 Coast Artillery Group when it was formed in Clacton, Essex in October 1940. The Group was redesignated 548 Coast Regiment in June 1941 and consisted of 330, 331, 372 & 373 Batteries. The regiment dibanded in April 1944. 172 Coast Battery was formed in April 1941 & was part of 530 Coast Regiment. It was transferred to 554 Coast Regiment in April 1944. The regiment was disbanded in June 1945.