page_title: 3rd West Lancashire Artillery
section_title: The Blitz
hierarchical_section_title: 3rd West Lancashire Artillery / Second World War / The Blitz
caption_attribution_description: A panoramic view of bomb damage caused by the Liverpool Blitz. A panoramic view of the city of Liverpool, showing bomb damage received after an air raid. The Liver Building can be clearly seen just to the right of centre, and the River Mersey is just visible to the left of the photograph.
context_page_description: The 3rd West Lancashire Artillery was a volunteer unit of Britain's Territorial Force recruited from Liverpool that saw action during the First World War, distinguishing itself at the Battle of the Avre. During the Second World War, it served in the air defence and medium artillery roles at home and in the Far East. Its successor unit continues to serve as a battery in the modern Army Reserve.
context_section_description: When the nightly bombing of Britain's cities The Blitz began in September 1940, 70th (3rd West Lancs) HAA Rgt was in 33 AA Bde covering Liverpool, and by the time it ended in May 1941 had transferred to 44 AA Bde covering Manchester. The cities of NW England were heavily bombed during the winter of 1940–41 (the Liverpool Blitz and Manchester Blitz) and 'the actions fought [by the AA batteries] were as violent, dangerous and prolonged as any in the field'.  'On an HAA 4.5-inch position of 44th AA Brigade in Manchester, the power rammer on one gun failed. One Gunner loaded 127 of the 86-lb [40 kg] rounds himself in eleven hours of action, despite injuries to his fingers'. As the night raids continued into the Spring, Liverpool and its docks along the Mersey became the most heavily bombed area of Britain outside London, with particularly heavy attacks in December 1940 (the Christmas Blitz); in April 1941; and again the following month (the May Blitz).
  The regiment sent a cadre to 209th HAA Training Rgt at Blandford Camp to provide the basis for a new 399 Bty; this was formed on 12 December 1940 and later joined 98th HAA Rgt. The regiment sent another cadre to 209th HAA Training Rgt for a new 479 (Mixed) HAA Bty; this was formed on 11 September 1941 but was disbanded on 8 October.
  In the summer of 1941 the regiment was reorganised. On 20 August 309 HAA Bty left to provide an experienced cadre for a newly-formed 128th HAA Rgt and was replaced in 70th (3rd West Lancs) by 434 HAA Bty, which had been formed on 12 June 1941 at the AA training centre at Oswestry, partly from the personnel of 254 and 259 LAA Btys, which had been disbanded.
  As the flow of new AA units from the training centres continued, experienced units began to be prepared for overseas service, and 70th (3rd West Lancs) was one of those chosen in early 1942. The establishment of an HAA Rgt in the field was only three batteries, so on 13 March, 434 HAA Bty transferred to 108th HAA Rgt in the Orkney and Shetland Defences. Then 70th HAA embarked for India with 211, 212 and 216 HAA Btys.
caption: Another panoramic view, looking towards the River Mersey
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