5th Anti-Aircraft Divisional Signals 3rd AA Group (Mixed) Signals 12th AA (Mixed) Signal Regiment 57 (City & County of Bristol) Signal Squadron | |
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57 Sig Sqn | |
![]() Formation sign of the 5th AA Division | |
Active |
1939–1946 1947–Present |
Country |
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Branch | |
Type | Signals Regiment |
Role | AA support signals |
Size | Squadron |
Part of | 39th (Skinners) Signal Regiment |
Squadron HQ | Bristol |
Engagements |
The 57 (City and County of Bristol) Signal Squadron was a former part-time military communications regiment of the Royal Corps of Signals (RCS) within the larger Territorial Army (TA). The regiment was first formed following an increase in international tensions during and after the Munich Crisis (1938). After serving Anti-Aircraft Command, the regiment was later reduced to a squadron and finally disbanded in 2016 following the Army 2020 review of the reserves.
History[]
Origins[]
Increasing concern during the 1930s about the threat of air attack led to large numbers of units of the part-time Territorial Army (TA) being converted to anti-aircraft (AA) gun and searchlight roles in the Royal Artillery (RA) and Royal Engineers (RE), and higher formations became necessary to control them. One of these formations was 5th AA Division, raised on 1 September 1938 at Reading, Berkshire, to command all the TA AA units in the South, South West and South Midlands of England and South Wales. Its signal component, 5th AA Divisional Signals, Royal Corps of Signals (RCS), was formed at Reading during 1939 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.E.A. Manning, MC, AMIMechE, MIEE. He was succeeded later in the year by Major (later Lt-Col) D.V.L. Craddock.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
The role of an AA divisional signal unit[lower-alpha 1] was to provide intercommunications between the divisional headquarters (HQ) and its subordinate AA brigade HQs, the AA Gun Operation Rooms (GORs, later termed AAORs) controlling the Gun Defence Areas (GDAs), and the Sector Operations Rooms (SORs) at RAF Fighter Command sector stations, which exercised tactical control over the AA guns and searchlights. Communications depended on the lines of the Defence Telecommunications Network and the General Post Office and the RCS line sections had to extend these with field lines to outlying gun positions and to repair bomb damage. Wireless sets for GORs and searchlight were not issued until 1941.[11][12]
World War II[]
Mobilisation[]
The deterioration in international relations during 1939 led to a partial mobilisation of the TA in June, after which a proportion of TA AA units manned their war stations under a rotation system known as 'Couverture'. Full mobilisation of AA Command came in August 1939, ahead of the declaration of war on 3 September 1939. After mobilising, the regiment faced early problems with the first of many being their lack of modern equipment and manpower that was actually eligible for service (even though the regiment wouldn't deploy overseas).[13][14][15]
The 5th AA Divisional signals were not the only regiment to face this problem and soon two new signal training centres, and many new training battalions were raised throughout the country which would help with recruitment and manning. The new training units were placed under the command of the Inspector of Signals, held by Brigadier Robert Willan Hugh DSO MC. Following his assignment, the unit was granted a, what was then designated as a, training & manning section attached to RHQ. Before many weeks had passed urgent requests were received not only for increases to establishments of existing units but also for additional non-divisional units. These requests were made by the BEF in France, by Middle East and other overseas commands, by Anti-Aircraft Command and the Home Commands even before any part of the army was actively engaged with the enemy. These arose mainly from the fact that signals were called upon to provide communications on a scale for which they were not organised or equipped. They also arose from changes in many organisations involving the formation of new commands and headquarters.[14][15]
Battle of Britain[]
During the Battle of Britain, the regiment's task was as follows; "to operate and maintain the communication equipment at gun operations rooms, to operate the signal offices and signal despatch at the administrative headquarters, and to build field lines in extension of the line network provided by the Defence Telecommunications Network and the General Post Office". During this period, the AA signals had no official structure, therefore each unit was different, thus the organisation of the regiment is unknown during this time.[16][17]
On 13 August 1940, the Battle of Britain or, known in German as "Luftschlacht um England", was officially launched with the Luftwaffe flying 1,485 sorties, these included mostly co-ordinated attacks on aerodromes and other targets in South England and South East England. The first group of results for the British were good with only 13 fighter losses and 45 German losses. This point on the regiment would be actively engaged during the air offensive within this period.[18][19]
Organisation[]
The increased sophistication of Operations Rooms and communications was reflected in the growth in signal units, which attained the following organisation by JUne 1942:[20]
5th AA Division Mixed Signal Unit
- HQ No 1 Company
- 5 AA Division Mixed Signal Office Section
- 27 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 108 RAF Fighter Sector Sub-Section (RAF Kenley)
- 111 RAF Fighter Sector Sub-Section (RAF Biggin Hill)
- 308 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Bramley, Hampshire)
- 346 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Chichester)
- 47 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 109 RAF Fighter Sector Sub-Section (RAF Tangmere)
- 313 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Newhaven, East Sussex
- 13 AA Line Maintenance Section
- HQ No 2 Company
- 412 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Netley, Hampshire, later Southampton)
- 33 AA Sub-GOR Mixed Signal Sub-Section
- 5 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 409 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Fareham)
- 28 AA Sub-GOR Mixed Signal Sub-Section
- 29 AA Sub-GOR Mixed Signal Sub-Section
- 35 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 303 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Isle of Wight)
- 72 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 14 AA Line Maintenance Section
- 412 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Netley, Hampshire, later Southampton)
- 5 AA Division Radio Maintenance Company, Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC)
8th AA Division Mixed Signal Unit
- HQ No 1 Company
- 8 AA Division Mixed Signal Office Section
- 307 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Bristol GDA)
- 46 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 69 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 110 RAF Fighter Sector Sub-Section (RAF Colerne)
- 19 AA Line Maintenance Section
- HQ No 2 Company
- 55 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 116 RAF Fighter Sector Sub-Section (RAF Portreath)
- 306 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Plymouth GDA)
- 318 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Falmouth)
- 20 AA Line Maintenance Section
- HQ No 3 Company
- 60 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 120 RAF Fighter Sector Sub-Section (RAF Exeter)
- 64 AA Brigade Signal Office Mixed Sub-Section
- 113 RAF Fighter Sector Sub-Section (RAF Middle Wallop)
- 305 AA GOR Mixed Signal Section (Portland)
- 21 AA Line Maintenance Section
- 8 AA Division Radio Maintenance Company, RAOC
The RAOC companies became part of the new Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) during 1942.
The Blitz ended in May 1941 but during 1942 5th and 8th AA Divisions were stretched by the Luftwaffe hit-and-run raids against coastal towns such as Torquay and Salcombe, and by the 'Baedeker Blitz' against lightly defended cities such as Exeter and Bath. New GDAs had to be established round some of these targets.[22][23][24][25]
I
A reorganisation of AA Command in October 1942 saw the AA divisions disbanded and replaced by a smaller number of AA Groups more closely aligned with the groups of RAF Fighter Command. 8th AA Division merged with 9th AA Division into 3 AA Group based at Bristol and cooperating with No. 10 Group RAF, while 5th AA Division's responsibilities along the South Coast were taken over by 2 AA Group. 3 AA Group was the largest of the new groups in terms of the numbers of GDAs to be serviced.[26][27][28] 5th and 8th Divisional Signals re-amalgamated at Bristol as 3 AA Group Signals under the command of Lt-Col Craddock with the following organisation by January1943:[29][30][31][32][33]
3 AA Group Mixed Signal Unit
- 1 Mixed Signal Company HQ
- 3 AA Group Mixed Signal Office Section
- 10 RAF Fighter Group Signal Section (RAF Box)
- 46 AA Brigade Mixed Signal Office Section
- 307 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Bristol GDA)
- 69 AA Brigade Mixed Signal Section
- 110 RAF Fighter Sector Signal Section
- 19 AA Line Maintenance Section
- 2 Mixed Signal Company HQ
- 55 AA Brigade Mixed Signal Office Section
- 306 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Plymouth GDA)
- 318 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Falmouth)
- 116 RAF Fighter Sector Signal Sub-Section
- 60 AA Brigade Mixed Signal Office Section
- 120 RAF Fighter Sector Signal Sub-Section
- 20 AA Line Maintenance Section
- 63rd AA Brigade Mixed Signal Office Section – joined by March 1943
- 3 Mixed Signal Company HQ
- 67 AA Brigade Mixed Signal Office Section – to 5 Company by August 1943
- 314 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Gloucester)
- 45 AA Brigade Mixed Signal Office Section
- 411 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Cardiff)
- 32 Sub-GOR Mixed Signal Sub-Section
- 338 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Swindon)
- 22 AA Line Maintenance Section
- 4 Mixed Signal Company HQ
- 61 AA Brigade Mixed Signal Office Section
- 317 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Swansea, later Neath)
- 121 RAF Fighter Sector Signal Sub-Section
- 319 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Milford Haven)
- 23 AA Line Maintenance Section
- 5 Mixed Signal Company HQ
- 64 AA Brigade Mixed Signal Office Section
- 67 AA Brigade]] Mixed Signal Office Section – from 3 Company by August 1943
- 305 GOR Mixed Signal Section (Portland)
- 113 RAF Fighter Sector Signal Sub-Section
- 14 AA Line Maintenance Section
- 104, 105, 106, 116 Radio Maintenance Companies, REME
By March 1944 this organisation was reduced to three signal companies (composition unknown).[33][34]
Later war[]
In early 1944 AA Command had two major tasks. Firstly it had to provide AA defence for the mass of troops and equipment gathering in Southern England for the Allied invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord). Secondly it had to plan for the expected arrival of V-1 flying bombs (codenamed 'Divers') in coordination with the rest of Air Defence of Great Britain in Operation Diver. 3 AA Group deployed several defence belts to protect Bristol from V-1s. The first missiles arrived on 13 June, a week after Overlord was launched on D Day. The expected V-1 bombardment of Bristol did not materialise, because US forces quickly overran the launch sites in the Cherbourg peninsula.[26][27][35][36][37]
After the Allies broke out of the Normandy beachhead in August and overran the sites in Northern France the attacks on London also diminished. However, in September the Luftwaffe began launching V-1s from aircraft over the North Sea, approaching their targets from the east. AA Command carried out a major relocation of units to South East England, forming Diver strips and boxes to intercept the missiles as they crossed the coastline. 3 AA Group HQ moved to take over the London Inner Artillery Zone in October–November, allowing 1 AA Group to concentrate on the coast defences.[26][27][35][38] The rapid deployments and redeployments of the Diver defences and the HQs meant a high degree of dependence on mobile communications, including field line construction and wireless.[39]
However, 3 AA Group HQ was disbanded by the middle of December 1944.[34]
Postwar[]
When the TA was reconstituted in 1947 the regiment was reformed as the 12th AA (Mixed) Signal Regiment and based in Bristol yet again, this time supporting the 12th Anti-Aircraft Group. By 1955 AA Command was disbanded and the regiment was amalgamated with the South Command signals to form the larger South Command (Mixed) Signal Regiment and the next year was separated to form the new 12th Command (Mixed) Signal Regiment and concurrently moved to Aldershot and back to Bristol. Eventually in 1959 as a result of the 1957 Defence White Paper, the regiment was renamed, becoming the 57th (Mixed) Signal Regiment and in 1962 dropped the mixed title.[16][13][17][40]
By 1967 following the major 1966 Defence White Paper, the TA was reformed through major reductions, reformations, and reorganisations, and thus the regiment was reduced to become 57 Signal Squadron (V). At this time, the regiment absorbed a troop from The North Somerset and Bristol Yeomanry. In 1969 the squadron absorbed another troop this time from The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars which was formed in Cheltenham that same year. After these reforms the squadron was assigned to the 37th (Wessex and Welsh) Signal Regiment (V), in 1992 moved to the 71st (Yeomanry) Signal Regiment (V), and in 1995 moved to the 39th (The Skinners) Signal Regiment (V). In 1995 following the Options for Change, the squadron was renamed to become 57 (City & County of Bristol) Signal Squadron (V) gaining a new troop in Cheltenham which was moved to Gloucester by 2006.[16][13][40]
Though not directly influenced by Army 2020, in 2016 the squadron was disbanded and concurrently merged with 43 (Wessex) Signal Squadron (V), forming 878 (City and County of Bristol) Signal Troop based in Bristol.[16][13]
Commanding Officers[]
Commanding officers of the regiment during the war period (1939 - 1955) was as follows;[17]
5th Anti-Aircraft Divisional Signals
- 1939–1939 Lieutenant Colonel F E A Manning MC TD
- 1939–1942 Major D V L Craddock
3rd Anti-Aircraft Group (Mixed) Signals
- 1942–1942 Lieutenant Colonel D V L Craddock
- 1942–1946 Lieutenant Colonel T S Mensley MBE TD
12th Anti-Aircraft (Mixed) Signal Regiment
- 1947–1949 Lieutenant Colonel P B G Gambier OBE
- 1949–1951 Lieutenant Colonel R B Ridley-Martin
- 1951–1954 Lieutenant Colonel B J Walker
- 1954–1955 Lieutenant Colonel W G Daubeny
South Command (Mixed) Signal Regiment, RCS and 12th Command (Mixed) Signal Regiment
- 1955–???? Lieutenant Colonel W G Daubeny
Other Information[]
Permission was granted for former Royal Gloucestershire Hussars personnel to continue wearing the uniform of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars until 1976 following the 1975 Defence White Paper.[13]
Notes[]
Citations[]
- ↑ Lord & Watson, pp. 170, 244, 251.
- ↑ Nalder, p. 620.
- ↑ Monthly Army List, May 1939.
- ↑ AA Command 1939 at British Military History.
- ↑ Routledge, Table LX, p. 378.
- ↑ Pile's despatch.
- ↑ Robert Palmer, 'A Concise History of Anti-Aircraft Command (History & Personnel)' at British Military History.
- ↑ 5th AA Division 1939 at British Military History.
- ↑ Lord & Watson, p. 21.
- ↑ Nalder, p. 477.
- ↑ Routledge, pp. 64–5, Figure 1.
- ↑ Nalder, p. 289.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Lord & Watson, p. 170
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Nalder, p. 338–9
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Nalder, pp. 263–4
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 British Army, A brief history of 39 (Skinners) Signal Regiment (pdf). Archived from the Original on 4 April 2012.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Nalder, p. 289
- ↑ Nalder, p. 620
- ↑ Basil Collier, Defence of the United Kingdom, Appendix XIII; The Battle of Britain: The First Phase Summary of Operations 13th to 23rd August, 1940 at ibiblio.org
- ↑ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 14 May 1942, with amendments, The National Archives (TNA), Kew, file WO 212/81.
- ↑ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 13 March 1943, TNA file WO 212/83.
- ↑ Pile's despatch.
- ↑ Robert Palmer, 'A Concise History of Anti-Aircraft Command (History & Personnel)' at British Military History.
- ↑ Collier, Chapter XX.
- ↑ Routledge, pp. 400–4, Map 36.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Pile's despatch.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Robert Palmer, 'A Concise History of Anti-Aircraft Command (History & Personnel)' at British Military History.
- ↑ Routledge, pp. 400–4, Map 36.
- ↑ Lord & Watson, pp. 170, 244, 251.
- ↑ Nalder, p. 620.
- ↑ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 1 October 1942, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/82.
- ↑ Order of Battle of Non-Field Force Units in the United Kingdom, Part 27: AA Command, 13 March 1943, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/83.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Order of Battle of AA Command, 1 August 1943, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/84.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Order of Battle of AA Command, 27 April 1944, with amendments, TNA file WO 212/85.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Collier, Chapter XXIV.
- ↑ Collier, Appendix XLV.
- ↑ Routledge, pp. 408–16; Table LXX, p. 423; Maps 37 & 38.
- ↑ Routledge, pp. 416–8, Map 39.
- ↑ Nalder, p. 354.
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 Lord & Watson, p. 195
Footnotes[]
References[]
- Maj-Gen R.F.H. Nalder, The Royal Corps of Signals: A History of its Antecedents and Developments (Circa 1800–1955), London: Royal Signals Institution, 1958.
- Cliff Lord & Graham Watson, Royal Corps of Signals: Unit Histories of the Corps (1920–2001) and its Antecedents, Solihull: Helion, 2003, ISBN 1-874622-92-2
- Lt-Col H.F. Joslen, Orders of Battle, United Kingdom and Colonial Formations and Units in the Second World War, 1939–1945, London: HM Stationery Office, 1960/Uckfield: Naval & Military Press, 2003, ISBN 1-843424-74-6
- Basil Collier, History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series: The Defence of the United Kingdom, London: HM Stationery Office, 1957.
- Charles D. Pettibone, The Organization and Order of Battle of Military in World War II Volume II - The British Commonwealth, Rochester, New York: Trafford Publishing, 2006. ISBN 141208657-5.
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