52nd (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery

The 52nd (East Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, was a Territorial Army unit of the British Army. Formed in the late 1930s, it served throughout the Second World War.

Formation and Pre-War Period

The regiment was created as part of the expansion of Britain's anti-aircraft defenses in the lead-up to the Second World War. It drew its personnel largely from the East Lancashire area. As a Territorial Army unit, it consisted of part-time soldiers who trained in their spare time. Upon mobilization, the regiment transitioned to full-time service.

Second World War Service

The 52nd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment served extensively during the Second World War. Their primary role was to defend vital installations and urban areas from enemy air attacks. This involved manning anti-aircraft guns, typically Bofors 40mm guns, and engaging incoming aircraft.

Specific details of their deployments and engagements during the war are relatively sparse in readily available public documentation. However, like other Light Anti-Aircraft regiments, they likely served in various locations across the United Kingdom during the Battle of Britain and the subsequent blitz. As the war progressed, they may have been deployed overseas as part of the British Expeditionary Force or to defend other strategic locations. The movement and deployment of LAA units were often determined by the immediate threat from enemy aircraft, leading to frequent changes in location.

Post-War

Following the end of the Second World War, the Territorial Army was reorganized. Many Territorial Army units, including the 52nd, were disbanded or amalgamated into other formations. Further research would be required to determine the exact fate of the regiment in the post-war period.