page_title: 26th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
section_title: Formation
hierarchical_section_title: 26th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery / Formation
context_page_description: 26th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery was a part-time unit of Britain's Territorial Army formed in Derby just before the outbreak of World War II. The regiment then served during the initial stages of the war, but was transferred to take part in the later North African Campaign and eventually the Italian Campaign. The regiment was then placed in suspended animation in 1946 until they were reformed in 1947, and finally disbanded in 1954 just before Anti-Aircraft Command had the same fate.
context_section_description: In 1938 following the Munich Crisis, the anti-aircraft (AA) branch of the Royal Artillery (RA) was rapidly expanded following a report which presented the need for more modern AA defences.  The majority, in-fact almost all, AA units were provided by the TA and covered the United Kingdom including Northern Ireland.  Between 25 and 27 August 1939 the new 26th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (26 LAA Rgt) was formed in Derby with all three batteries based in the city as a "mobile reserve" unit.  Following formation, the regiment was assigned to the Hucknall based 50th Light Anti-Aircraft Brigade which only contained that regiment plus supporting elements.
  After formation, the regiment was organised as;
  Regimental Headquarters (RHQ) in Derby
  114th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery (LAA Bty)
  Battery Headquarters (BHQ), 317, 318, and 319 AA Trps
  115th LAA Bty
  BHQ, 320, 321, and 322 AA Trps
  116th LAA Bty
  BHQ, 323, 324, and 325 AA Trps
  Before mobilisation, the regiment was the only TA LAA unit commanded by the 2nd Anti-Aircraft Division which oversaw the AA defence for Northern East Anglia, the East Midlands, and the Humber.  After the regiment was formed, there were 6 QF 3-inch 20 cwt LAA guns, 12 QF 2-pdr auto-cannons, and 88 Light machine-guns under the division's control, most of which belonged to the regiment.  After being equipped, the regiment was designated as a "mobile reserve" regiment and placed under the administrative command of West Riding Area, Northern Command.
caption: LAA Bty while serving in the UK
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