SEARCHLIGHT UNITS Searchlight units worked with the heavy anti aircraft artillery. They continued to be useful despite the increasing use of radars, but were not much needed. Some searchlights were deployed to give artificial moonlight in the Rhine Crossings. SEARCHLIGHT UNITS Headquarters Searchlight Regiment (Mobile). War Establishment XIV/562/1. September 1944 Searchlight Battery (Mobile). War Establishment III/191/2. March 1944. Searchlight Battery (Mobile) 21 Army Group. War Establishment XIV/563/1. September 1944. Searchlight Battery (Moonlight) 21 Army Group. War Establishment XIV/564/1. February 1945 HQ Searchlight Regiment (Defended Port Abroad) War Establishment XIV/560/1. May 1944 Searchlight Battery (Defended Port Abroad) War Establishment XIV/561/1. September 1944 21 Army Group had the following Searchlight Regiments assigned to it: Nos 1, 2, 41, 42 and 54. It is not known which regiments were on which of the following establishments. HEADQUARTERS SEARCHLIGHT REGIMENT RA (MOBILE) War Establishment XIV/562/1. September 1944 This headquarters was designed to control three searchlight batteries. Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain, Adjutant Quartermaster Subaltern Regimental Serjeant Major serjeant for ‘Q’ duties 13 X tradesman 2 X lance bombardier 12 X gunner Medical Officer RAMC serjeant armourer REME armourer REME 3 X cook ACC bombardier clerk 2 X clerk vehicle mechanic bombardier driver operator 7 X driver operator 4 X batman driver 3 X driver trained in water duties 3 X motorcyclist 2 X telephonist sanitary dutyman 2 X bicycle 5 X motorcycle 2 X car 2 seater 1 X car 4 seater 2 X 15cwt GS 4 X 15cwt FFW 2 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 1 X water trailer The following control staff will be added Major 2 X Captain 6 X telephonist plotter batman driver car 2 seater The following increment will be added for each RAF night fighter squadron operating with the regiment. Captain, Squadron Searchlight Officer serjeant motorcycle SEARCHLIGHT BATTERY RA (MOBILE) War Establishment III/191/2. March 1944. This is the only one of the war establishments to give an organisation which assigns personnel to vehicles. The battery has three troops. Personnel Major 4 X Captain 7 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Major battery quartermaster serjeant 11 X serjeant bombardier clerk, pay duties 2 X bombardier clerk 3 X clerk 24 X driver mechanic 8 X driver operator 5 X electrical fitter AA. SL equipment repairer 24 X searchlight operator 2 X storeman 3 X vehicle mechanic 6 X batman driver butchery dutyman 35 X drivers IC 3 X medical orderly (trained as driver IC) 11 X motorcyclist sanitary dutyman (trained as driver IC) 168 X searchlight number 4 X storeman 3 X water dutyman Transport 25 X bicycle 31 X motorcycle 4 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 28 X 15cwt GS 4 X 15cwt FFW 4 X 3ton 4 X 4 26 X 3ton searchlight 4 X water trailer, 180 gallons. Weapons 26 X Bren gun 28 X PIAT ORGANISATION. Motorcycle 1 Subaltern Motorcycle 1 Battery Serjeant Major Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Motorcycle 4 motorcyclist Car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 Captain, clerk, batman driver 15cwt truck GS 1 battery quartermaster serjeant, 2 X cook ACC, butchery dutyman, batman driver Carries cooking gear and rations 15cwt FFW Major, 2 X driver operator Carries a wireless set No 22 3ton 4 X 2 GS serjeant, storeman, 2 X clerk, equipment repairer, vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries petrol, stores and baggage and blankets Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT Tows a water trailer. Note: the driver IC is trained in water duties 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 Searchlight 1 driver IC for searchlight plant, electrical fitter AA SL, storeman technical, telephonist / W/T operator, sanitary dutyman, driver IC Relief vehicle 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 Searchlight 2 driver IC for searchlight plant, electrical fitter AA SL, 2 X telephonist and W/T operator, batman driver, 2 X telecommunication mechanic REME, driver IC Relief vehicle Carries Bren lmg 3 X TROOP each Motorcycle 1 serjeant Motorcycle 2 electrical fitter AA SL Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist Car 15cwt 4 X 4 Captain, clerk, batman driver 15cwt truck GS cook ACC, medical officers orderly, water dutyman, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations and medical stores Tows a water trailer 15cwt FFW 2 X driver operator Carries a wireless set No 22 3ton 4 X 2 GS storeman, 2 X vehicle mechanic, driver IC Carries 2 X telephonist and WT operators from section headquarters Carries anti gas reserves, baggage and blankets, stores and petrol Carries a PIAT Section 1 Motorcycle 1 Subaltern Motorcycle 2 serjeant Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist A telephonist and WT operator is carries in the troop headquarters transport Detachment 15cwt truck 4 X 4 GS cook ACC, bombardier searchlight number, telephonist and WT operator, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 searchlight lorry lance serjeant searchlight number, searchlight operator, 5 X searchlight number, driver mechanic Tows a searchlight Detachment 15cwt truck 4 X 4 GS cook ACC, bombardier searchlight number, telephonist and WT operator, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 searchlight lorry lance serjeant searchlight number, searchlight operator, 5 X searchlight number, driver mechanic Tows a searchlight Detachment 15cwt truck 4 X 4 GS cook ACC, bombardier searchlight number, telephonist and WT operator, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 searchlight lorry lance serjeant searchlight number, searchlight operator, 5 X searchlight number, driver mechanic Tows a searchlight Detachment 15cwt truck 4 X 4 GS cook ACC, bombardier searchlight number, telephonist and WT operator, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 searchlight lorry lance serjeant searchlight number, searchlight operator, 5 X searchlight number, driver mechanic Tows a searchlight Section 2 Motorcycle 1 Subaltern Motorcycle 2 serjeant Motorcycle 3 motorcyclist A telephonist and WT operator is carries in the troop headquarters transport Detachment 15cwt truck 4 X 4 GS cook ACC, bombardier searchlight number, telephonist and WT operator, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 searchlight lorry lance serjeant searchlight number, searchlight operator, 5 X searchlight number, driver mechanic Tows a searchlight Detachment 15cwt truck 4 X 4 GS cook ACC, bombardier searchlight number, telephonist and WT operator, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 searchlight lorry lance serjeant searchlight number, searchlight operator, 5 X searchlight number, driver mechanic Tows a searchlight Detachment 15cwt truck 4 X 4 GS cook ACC, bombardier searchlight number, telephonist and WT operator, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 searchlight lorry lance serjeant searchlight number, searchlight operator, 5 X searchlight number, driver mechanic Tows a searchlight Detachment 15cwt truck 4 X 4 GS cook ACC, bombardier searchlight number, telephonist and WT operator, driver IC Carries cooking gear, rations Carries a Bren lmg and PIAT 3ton 4 X 2 or 6 X 4 searchlight lorry lance serjeant searchlight number, searchlight operator, 5 X searchlight number, driver mechanic Tows a searchlight SEARCHLIGHT BATTERY RA (MOBILE) 21 ARMY GROUP War Establishment XIV/563/1. September 1944. Note: This establishment is for a battery of four troops rather than the three of earlier establishments. There is no note that this establishment supersedes earlier ones so that it was presumably intended for 21 Army Group and previous establishments continued in use as well. Personnel Major 5 X Captain 5 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Major battery quartermaster serjeant 28 X serjeant 25 X bombardier 29 X lance bombardier 197 X gunner 90 X tradesman bombardier clerk, pay duties bombardier clerk 3 X clerk 26 X driver mechanic 10 X driver operator 10 X electrical fitter AA. SL equipment repairer 28 X searchlight operator storeman technical 7 X vehicle mechanic SL 2 X vehicle mechanic 6 X batman driver butchery dutyman 6 X casualty 24 X detachment commanders assistant 28 X drivers IC for SL plant 9 X driver IC medical officers orderly 10 X motorcyclist 6 X plotter 6 X storeman sanitary dutyman 120 X searchlight number 32 X telephonist and WT operator water dutyman 30 X cook ACC Transport 36 X bicycle 24 X motorcycle 7 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 5 X 15cwt GS 5 X 15cwt FFW 59 X 3ton 4 X 4 5 X water trailer, 180 gallons. 29 X 22KW generator trailer Weapons 26 X Bren gun 28 X PIAT Headquarters Major Captain Subaltern Battery Serjeant Major battery quartermaster serjeant bombardier clerk, pay duties bombardier clerk 3 X clerk 2 X driver mechanic bombardier driver operator driver operator 6 X electrical fitter AA. SL equipment repairer 4 X searchlight operator storeman technical 3 X vehicle mechanic SL 2 X vehicle mechanic 2 X batman driver butchery dutyman 6 X casualty 4 X drivers IC for SL plant driver IC medical officers orderly 2 X motorcyclist 2 X plotter 2 X storeman sanitary dutyman water dutyman corporal cook ACC cook ACC Transport 4 X bicycle 4 X motorcycle 3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 15cwt GS 15cwt FFW 7 X 3ton 4 X 4 water trailer, 180 gallons. 5 X 22KW generator trailer Weapons 26 X Bren gun 26 X PIAT 4 X Troop each Captain Subaltern serjeant 2 X driver operator electrical fitter AA. SL vehicle mechanic SL batman driver 2 X driver IC 2 X motorcyclist plotter storeman 2 X telephonist and WT operator cook ACC Transport 2 X bicycle 5 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt FFW 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 1 X water trailer, 180 gallons. 6 X Detachment per troop, each serjeant driver mechanic searchlight operator bombardier, detachment commander assistant driver IC for SL plant 5 X searchlight detachment telephonist and WT operator cook ACC 1 X bicycle 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 1 X 22 KW generator trailer SEARCHLIGHT BATTERY (MOONLIGHT) INDEPENDENT RA. 21 ARMY GROUP War Establishment XIV/564/1. February 1945. Note: This establishment is for a battery of two troops. A third troop may be added. Artificial moonlight was introduced particularly for the Rhine Crossing. By shining searchlights onto low cloud sufficient light was provided for assault troops to board craft and navigate across the river. Since the illumination was indirect it did not give away the troops positions. Personnel Major 4 X Captain 7 X Subaltern 4 X Battery Serjeant Major battery quartermaster serjeant 29 X serjeant 25 X bombardier 30 X lance bombardier 83 X gunner 93 X tradesman bombardier clerk, pay duties 2 X bombardier clerk 3 X clerk (one per troop trained as driver IC) 24 X driver mechanic 20 X driver operator 7 X electrical fitter AA. SL equipment repairer 24 X searchlight operator storeman technical 10 X vehicle mechanic 3 X batman driver butchery dutyman 34 X drivers IC 3 X medical officers orderly (trained as driver IC) 5 X motorcyclist 4 X storeman sanitary dutyman (trained as driver IC) 48 X searchlight number (one in each section trained as driver IC) 3 X telephonist 24 X WT operator 3 X water dutyman (trained as driver IC) 17 X cook ACC Transport 13 X bicycle 19 X motorcycle 11 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 3 X 15cwt water 7 X 15cwt GS 10 X 15cwt FFW 31 X 3ton 4 X 4 (26 carry searchlight trailers) 26 X tractor medium 4 X 4 (carry generator trailers) 26 X 22KW generator trailer (carried on tractors 4 X 4) 26 X searchlight trailer (carried on 3ton 4 X 4 GS) 4 X 10cwt trailer 3 X 1ton trailer 1 X 180gal water trailer OR 13 X bicycle 19 X motorcycle 11 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 3 X 15cwt water 5 X 15cwt GS 12 X 15cwt 4 X 4 GS 10 X 15cwt FFW 5 X 3ton 4 X 4 GS 26 X 3ton 6 X 4 Searchlight 4 X 10cwt trailer 3 X 1ton trailer 1 X 180gal water trailer Weapons 34 X Bren gun 34 X PIAT Note: 12 X 20mm AA guns may be issued in lieu of 12 X Bren gun. Headquarters Major Captain Subaltern Battery Serjeant Major battery quartermaster serjeant bombardier clerk, pay duties bombardier clerk 3 X clerk 2 X driver mechanic bombardier driver operator driver operator 6 X electrical fitter AA. SL equipment repairer 4 X searchlight operator storeman technical 3 X vehicle mechanic SL 2 X vehicle mechanic 2 X batman driver butchery dutyman 6 X casualty 4 X drivers IC for SL plant driver IC medical officers orderly 2 X motorcyclist 2 X plotter 2 X storeman sanitary dutyman water dutyman corporal cook ACC cook ACC Transport 4 X bicycle 4 X motorcycle 3 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 15cwt GS 15cwt FFW 7 X 3ton 4 X 4 water trailer, 180 gallons. 5 X 22KW generator trailer Weapons 26 X Bren gun 26 X PIAT 4 X Troop each Captain Subaltern serjeant 2 X driver operator electrical fitter AA. SL vehicle mechanic SL batman driver 2 X driver IC 2 X motorcyclist plotter storeman 2 X telephonist and WT operator cook ACC Transport 2 X bicycle 5 X motorcycle 1 X car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 15cwt FFW 1 X 3ton 4 X 4 1 X water trailer, 180 gallons. 6 X Detachment per troop, each serjeant driver mechanic searchlight operator bombardier, detachment commander assistant driver IC for SL plant 5 X searchlight detachment telephonist and WT operator cook ACC 1 X bicycle 2 X 3ton 4 X 4 1 X 22 KW generator trailer HEADQUARTERS SEARCHLIGHT REGIMENT RA DPA (DEFENDED PORT ABROAD) War Establishment XIV/560/1. May 1944 Anti Aircraft and Search Light units in DPAs (previously known as base and port units) were intended to be static and had only sufficient transport for administrative and maintenance purposes, plus a small number for moving the unit either short distances or in several lifts. Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain, Adjutant Quartermaster Subaltern Regimental Serjeant Major serjeant for ‘Q’ duties serjeant telephonist/lineman 13 X tradesman bombardier 3 X lance bombardier 22 X gunner Medical Officer RAMC 3 X cook ACC bombardier clerk 3 X clerk vehicle mechanic bombardier driver operator 7 X driver operator batman 3 X batman driver driver trained in water duties 19 X telephonist/lineman (eight to be trained as drivers) including bombardier 2 X lance bombardier 16 X gunner 3 X motorcyclist 3 X telephonist sanitary dutyman 3 X motorcycle 2 X car 2 seater 1 X car 4 seater 2 X 15cwt GS 4 X 15cwt FFW 3 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 1 X water trailer The following control staff will be added Major 2 X Captain 6 X telephonist plotter batman driver car 2 seater The following increment will be added for each RAF night fighter squadron operating with the regiment. Captain, Squadron Searchlight Officer serjeant motorcycle SEARCHLIGHT BATTERY DEFENDED PORT ABROAD War Establishment XIV/561/1. September 1944 Major 2 X Captain 9 X Subaltern Battery Serjeant Major battery quartermaster serjeant 28 X serjeant 25 X bombardier 30 X lance bombardier 207 X gunner 78 X tradesman 30 X cook ACC, including one corporal bombardier clerk, pay duties bombardier clerk 2 X clerk 26 X driver mechanic 10 X electrical fitter AA. SL equipment repairer 28 X searchlight operator storeman, technical vehicle mechanic 7 X vehicle mechanic SL 6 X batman driver butchery dutyman 6 X casualties 24 X detachment commanders assistants 15 X drivers IC 28 X driver IC SL medical orderly 10 X motorcyclist 6 X plotter sanitary dutyman 120 X searchlight number 5 X storeman 39 X telephonist and WT operator Transport 60 X bicycle 19 X motorcycle 8 X car 2 seater or car 5cwt 4 X 4 6 X 15cwt GS 9 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 14 X 3ton 4 X 2 searchlight 5 X water trailer, 180 gallons. 16 X 22 KW generator trailer Weapons 29 X twin Bren lmg Headquarters Major 2 X Captain Subaltern Battery Serjeant Major Battery quartermaster serjeant bombardier 2 X lance bombardier 27 X gunner 22 X tradesman 2 X cook ACC, including one corporal bombardier clerk, pay duties bombardier clerk 2 X clerk 2 X driver mechanic 6 X electrical fitter AA. SL equipment repairer 4 X searchlight operator storeman, technical vehicle mechanic 3 X vehicle mechanic SL 2 X batman driver butchery dutyman 6 X casualties 7 X drivers IC 4 X driver IC SL medical orderly 2 X motorcyclist 2 X plotter sanitary dutyman storeman 3 X telephonist and WT operator 4 X bicycle 3 X motorcycle 4 X car 2 seater or car 5cwt 4 X 4 2 X 15cwt GS 5 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 6 X 3ton 4 X 2 searchlight water trailer, 180 gallons. 4 X Troop each 2 X Subaltern serjeant lance bombardier 29 X gunner cook ACC electrical fitter AA. SL vehicle mechanic SL batman driver butchery dutyman 2 X drivers IC 2 X motorcyclist plotter storeman 3 X telephonist and WT operator 2 X bicycle 4 X motorcycle 1 X car 2 seater or car 5cwt 4 X 4 1 X 15cwt GS 1 X 3ton 4 X 2 GS 2 X 3ton 4 X 2 searchlight 1 X water trailer, 180 gallons. 4 X 22 KW generator trailer 6 X Detachment per Troop, each serjeant bombardier lance bombardier 6 X gunner cook ACC driver mechanic searchlight operator storeman, technical vehicle mechanic 7 X vehicle mechanic SL detachment commanders assistants driver IC SL 5 X searchlight number telephonist and WT operator 2 X bicycle By 1944 the role of the searchlight had changed significantly from that of the early war period. Anti Aircraft Artillery was equipped with sophisticated radars which made the searchlight redundant for the role of locating and illuminating aircraft for the optical instruments of the AA batteries. However searchlights continued to be useful for assisting night fighters to locate their targets. Night fighters were typically guided to the area of the target aircraft by Ground Control Interception radars until their own onboard radar could locate them. It was still very useful for night fighters to - have the target illuminated for the final stage of the interception - to illuminate individual targets when there was more than one intruder In clear weather the searchlights could replace the GCI system. By this date searchlights were equipped with radar. This meant that they could track targets and plot their course without using the light and switch on the light only when night fighters requested it. When searchlights replaced GCI a typical deployment was to have a zone with widely dispersed lights, some 10,000 yards apart. When an intruder entered this zone individual lights would either track it or shine a light in its general direction. Further back searchlights were deployed at 6,000 yard intervals and could illuminate the intruder continuously, one light taking over from another as the intruder moved. In the centre of the area a light shone vertically upward as a navigation beacon. For this purpose searchlights units were in communication not only with the anti aircraft artillery control organisation but also with the night fighter squadrons. Line was preferred for normal use with wireless being provided as a back up. Within the battery communication between control centres and individual light detachments was also normally by line but the Wireless Set No 17 was also available. This was a small portable ground station designed as a private venture by a pre war territorial searchlight unit. It was light, simple and effective with a good battery life. It was voice only and could be operated by a telephonist. The 21 Army Group establishments allowed for control room staff and liaison with RAF squadrons.
