100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade

British Army anti-aircraft brigade in World War II January 2026 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade Apr 1943 − Feb 1946 United Kingdom 23px British Army Anti-aircraft brigade Anti-aircraft defence Anti-tank defence River and bridge defence Second World War Operation Overlord Operation Market Garden Battle of the Nijmegen salient Operation Veritable Operation Plunder Operation Enterprise 20px 21st Army Group Edward Crosse, CBE, MC* M. B. Turner DSO The 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade (100th AA Bde) was an air defence formation of the British Army during the Second World War. Formed in April 1943, the brigade was one of two mobile anti-aircraft brigades allocated to the Second Army for the campaign in North-West Europe, the other being the 106th AA Bde. In common with other anti-aircraft brigades, the unit took on anti-tank, river, ground and bridge defence, as well as laying smokescreens and providing fire support. The brigade began landing in Normandy on 14 June 1944, before commencing operational duties in defence of Caen in July. It operated at or close to the front line of the Second Army's advance during the campaign in North-West Europe, taking on a number of short-lived deployments in major towns and cities and covering British forces during the breakout from Normandy, multiple river crossings and the advance into Germany in 1945. It was heavily involved in Operation Market Garden, and fought in a ground and anti-tank role at Veghel on what has become known as "Black Friday", before forming the anti-air, river and anti-tank defences of the bridges at Nijmegen. At the cessation of hostilities the brigade moved to the Harburg area of Hamburg, where it took on occupational duties, including at the POW processing camp at Munsterlager. The brigade disbanded in February 1946.Routledge 1994 ch. 22-24War Diary of 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel - Closure of Hell's Highway" Formation The brigade formed in April 1943, initially sharing 74th AA BDE headquarters in Cliftonville, near Margate in Kent. It was to be commanded by new Brigadier Edward Neufville Crosse MC, a veteran of the First World War who had served with the Royal Artillery since 1915. Its initial strength consisted of 90th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment (90th HAA Rgt), 107th HAA Rgt, 113th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (113th LAA Rgt), and 123rd LAA Rgt.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1943 (WO 166/11249) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1943 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C797314 In May 1943 the brigade relocated to Blandford Camp, near Blandford Forum in Dorset, where it remained until November for training in gunnery, searchlight operation and in radar operation. Trials were conducted with different types of Window to establish their respective effectiveness as a countermeasure against the radars in use by the brigade. The 1943 war diaries show that the brigade's regiments were occasionally involved in active air defence duties, but these were typically conducted under the command of other brigades. In October 1943, the brigade conducted "Exercise Lobster" to rehearse the processes of embarkation, disembarkation and deployment, followed by "Exercise Shrimp" in January 1944 rehearsing the breakout from a beachhead. During this period brigade headquarters relocated again to The Lindens in Cliftonville, Northamptonshire, where its HQ remained until its deployment in June 1944. Operation Overlord Operation Overlord The first units of the brigade to land in Normandy did so on D-Day +8, 14 June. The 405th and 409th batteries of 123rd LAA Rgt came under the operational command of 80th AA Brigade, which had landed with the Juno beach assault waves on 6 June and taken up positions on the beachhead, prior to 100th AA Bde landing its HQ.Routledge 1994 ch. 22 "'Overlord' and the Normandy Landings, 1944" The batteries were attacked from the air while unloading men and equipment onto two rhino ferries, with one man killed, 37 wounded and several guns and tractors destroyed.War Diary of 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew Jun 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Lance Bombardier Henry Witts and Sergeant William Vernon were both awarded the Military Medal for their actions in the aftermath of this attack.Recommendation for Award for Witts, Henry, Lance Bombardier (WO 373/49/269) The National Archives (UK) Kew https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9066488 1944L/Bdr Henry Witts, Military Medal The London Gazette y 36753 4789 17 October 1944 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36753/supplement/4789Recommendation for Award for Vernon, William Ernest, Sergeant (WO 373/49/262) The National Archives (UK) Kew https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9066388 1944Sgt William Ernest Vernon, Military Medal The London Gazette y 36753 4789 17 October 1944 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36753/supplement/4789 The 100th AA Bde HQ landed a few days later, on 17 and 18 June, and established itself in Colombiers-sur-Seulles. The remainder of the brigade, consisting initially of 60th HAA Rgt and 113th LAA Rgt, along with 151st Anti-Aircraft Operations Room (AAOR) and the 557th Searchlight Battery (SL Bty), arrived through June and July, entering into secondments with other brigades while allied forces struggled to break out of the beachhead.Routledge 1994 ch. 22 "'Overlord' and the Normandy Landings, 1944" The 100th AA Bde's first major tasking came on 25 July, when it became operationally responsible for the air defence of Caen,War Diary of 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew Jul 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 which had been captured a few days prior after an unexpectedly protracted battle. The deployment was uneventful, as air attacks were light after the front line moved eastwards and concentrated around Falaise.Routledge 1994 313–314 1st Canadian Army took over defence of the city on 12 August.War Diary of 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew Aug 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 The allied break-out following the closing of the Falaise Pocket on 21 August led to a rapid succession of short-lived deployments for the brigade,Routledge 1994 320–324 by which point it had expanded to include 107th HAA Rgt and 71st LAA Rgt. On 24 August orders were received to prepare to move in support of the British crossing of the River Seine at Vernon bridge, and the brigade took position there on 26 August. Deployments at Amiens, Arras and Antwerp followed in support of XXX Corps' advance, with the latter reached on 4 September. The 106th AA Bde took over defence of the city two days later.War Diary of 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 On 8 September, while in harbour near Diest after being relieved at Antwerp, 71st LAA Rgt shot down an Me262 jet while it was carrying out a low level bombing raid.Routledge 1994 334War Diary of 71st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, September 1944 Kew, Richmond The National Archives Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441229 WO 171/1120 1 This was one of the earliest ground-to-air kills of a jet aircraft.Published histories contain conflicting accounts of the earliest kill of a jet powered aircraft. Routledge and the war diaries all show a confirmed Me262 kill for the 71st LAA Rgt, then of the 100th AA Bde, in September 1944, and the 106th AA Bde's War Diary claims this as the first such kill. RAF Regiment histories make a claim that a later Me262 kill, on 26 November 1944, by 2875 Squadron RAF Regiment at Helmond airfield, was the first.Oliver 2002 111–112 This later kill is also listed in the 100th AA Bde war diaries as being shared by its 123rd LAA Rgt.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 12 The National Archives (UK) Kew Nov 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 "Note" Advance into the Low Countries Operation Crosseforce The 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade had been operating in a dual anti-air and anti-tank ground role throughout the advance, in common with the other leading anti-aircraft brigades,Routledge 1994 ch.22–23 but the ground element of their role was significantly expanded on 9 September. The divergence of the advances of British XXX Corps and US XIX Corps had left a 25-mile gap on the right flank of 11th Armoured Division, leaving the lines of communication vulnerable to German counterattack which, based on intelligence reports, was being threatened by a large German armoured concentration believed at the time to comprise elements of II SS Panzer Corps.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Operational Instruction No. 4, in War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Operation Crosseforce was established, under operational instruction number 4. To 123rd LAA Rgt and 165 HAA Rgt were added 86th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 73rd Anti-Tank Regiment, the Royal Netherlands Brigade, one troop of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars and a company of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, forming a composite force for anti-tank and ground defence.War Diary of 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 6-11 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Defensive positions were established on a line centred at Beringen, with positions as far west as Geel and as far east as Helchteren. Brigade HQ itself was established at Leopoldsburg. In the event, no counterattack materialised and after six days the situation improved sufficiently for the brigade to be returned to regular duties. The action was important enough, though, to be mentioned in the citation for commander Brigadier Crosse's CBE nomination, which he received in October.Recommendation for award – Edward Neufville Crosse (WO 373/83/509) https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7388339 The National Archives (UK) Operation Market Garden Orders and initial movements Operation Market Garden thumb|Operation Market Garden plan, showing "hell's highway" and the advance of the Guards Armoured Division. Key locations for the 100th AA Bde are shown, Son, Veghel, Grave, Nijmegen and Arnhem. On the same day Operation Crosseforce concluded, the brigade received its orders for Operation Market Garden. It was to provide anti-aircraft defence for the advance of XXX Corps and the bridges over the River Waal once captured, and anti-motor torpedo boat defence. The 165th HAA Rgt and 123rd LAA Rgt would cover Nijmegen, 113th LAA Rgt would cover Arnhem, and 27th LAA Rgt, under operational command of 100th AA Bde for the operation, would cover Grave, each with an accompanying searchlight battery. Detachments from the 27th LAA Rgt would also cover Veghel and Son.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Operational Instruction No. 5, in War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 1 The National Archives (UK) Kew 16 Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 The brigade was divided into four elements for the advance. Two sections each of the 165th HAA Rgt and 123rd LAA Rgt, along with searchlights, would advance first behind 32nd Guards Infantry Brigade, with a recce party from brigade HQ. This group began their advance on 18 September 1944. The main body, consisting of the remainder of the 165th HAA Rgt and 123rd LAA Rgt, as well as brigade HQ and 151st AAOR, followed on two days later. The third group of the 113th LAA Rgt moved on 21 September, and the final group consisting of regimental support vehicles followed them. The advance party only covered two miles on the first day, but despite coming under aerial attacks at both Joe's Bridge and Grave bridge reached Nijmegen on 20 September. After the capture of the bridge on 21 September, sections from the 123rd LAA Rgt and 165th HAA Rgt took on air defence and river defence duties there as planned.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 13 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 At the same time, the main body had continued its advance up "Hell's Highway" and reached Eindhoven on 21 September. The column was frozen several times with nose-to-tail traffic and having to allow other units to pass. The 100th AA Bde alone had nearly 700 vehicles in its convoy, with 255 of those travelling with the main body. The 113th LAA Rgt spent the night at Valkenswaard, only a few miles behind.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 14–15 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Operational Instruction No. 5, in War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 6 The National Archives (UK) Kew 16 Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 In the early hours of the following morning, 22 September, the brigade's main body reached Veghel and was ordered to halt to allow 69th Infantry Brigade to pass. The 123rd LAA Rgt was in front, half a mile north of the town, with brigade HQ following and 165th HAA Rgt in the rear, within and to the south of the town.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade Special Report, Action at Veghel on the 22 Sep 44, in War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 1 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Black Friday, 22 September Veghel had been a primary objective of the US 101st Airborne Division, as a key point on the main supply route of XXX Corps.Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel – Closure of Hell's Highway" The 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (2/501 PIR) was holding Veghel,Zaloga 2014 "Black Friday: Cutting Hell's Highway" and General McAuliffe was in the town that morning.Beevor 2018 ch. 21, "Black Friday 22 September" American paratroopers were positioned on the road adjacent to the 123rd LAA Rgt. Mid-morning, information was received of a concentration of enemy tanks and infantry on the right flank,123rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment HQ, report on action at Veghel, 22 September 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441246 later known to be Kampfgruppe Walther with tanks from the 107th Panzer Brigade and an SS panzergrenadier battalion.Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel - Closure of Hell's Highway" The brigade was not, and could not have been, aware that it was about to become heavily engaged in what has since become known as "Black Friday" — the third, and according to Saunders probably the most significant, interruption of XXX Corps' supply line during Operation Market Garden.Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel - Closure of Hell's Highway"Beevor 2018 ch. 21, "Black Friday 22 September"Zaloga 2014 "Black Friday: Cutting Hell's Highway" Initial Engagement: 123rd LAA Regiment thumb|left|Bofors gun of the kind used by 123rd LAA Regiment At 1130 sustained small arms fire began, along with shelling of the town. The 123rd LAA Rgt enacted plans that it had drawn up earlier in the case of engagement, with E Troop of 408th Battery under the command of Lieutenant Milum moving north along the road with their guns and a Bren gun party commanded by the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), Warrant Officer W.V Hutchinson, to disperse the column's vehicles and provide anti-tank defence. The remainder of E Troop formed up behind regimental HQ. A Bofors 40 mm gun and PIAT were also positioned to defend approaches to the column.E Troop, 408th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, report on action at Veghel, 22 September 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441246 The column came under fire, and tanks were heard in the woods. US airborne troops withdrew through the regimental HQ position to an anti-tank screen on the edge of town, and due to the "smallness of numbers and equipment available" the British position became untenable. While preparing to withdraw, tanks broke through onto the road, both on the right and left flanks, "much to the surprise of everyone concerned." The tanks proceeded along the road "knocking out and setting fire to vehicles on the way, and spraying the hedges with machine gun fire". The regiment, excluding the now cut off men of E Troop, conducted a fighting withdrawal, which was not done without casualties. A storeman and clerk from HQ successfully destroyed a Panzer IV at point-blank range with their PIAT, and a second tank was destroyed by American anti-tank guns. Two men in a ditch on the far side of the road had been wounded by the second tank, and a party under the command of Lieutenant Hirsch, a non-combatant attached to the 123rd LAA Rgt from the Belgian Military Mission, began to drag them away. The withdrawing troops became pinned down by small arms fire and, without orders, Hirsch manned a Bren gun and occupied enemy infantry long enough for regimental HQ to disengage and withdraw to the line of US troops. Hirsch and a gunner stayed in no-mans-land with the second wounded man — Lieutenant Jordan — until the attack subsided and they could safely make their way back to town. He was awarded a Military Cross for his actions.Recommendation for Award for Hirsch, Jacques George Maurice, Second Lieutenant (WO 373/153/20) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7404665 Isolation of E Troop thumb|right|Canadian troops operating a PIAT At the head of the column, the detachment from E Troop had also been heavily engaged. A combination of fire from Bofors 40mm and PIAT left one attacking tank burning, but heavy machine gun fire and close infantry engagement caused many casualties amongst the detachment closest to town, where the German forces had broken through. Now obviously cut off, the remainder of E Troop attempted to withdraw to the north, but on rounding a bend came face-to-face with three more Panzer IV tanks. Surrounded, Lt Milum and Sergeant Brunning attempted to effect a retreat to Veghel. The Bren gun party under the command of the RSM remained behind and "were last heard engaging the enemy". Nearly all of the E Troop men were loaded onto a Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) lorry with Sgt Brunning, while Lt Milum and three men hooked one of the AA guns to a jeep in an attempt to salvage it. The makeshift convoy had nearly reached the head of the line of HQ vehicles when it was hit by automatic fire from the side of the road. Lt Milum was wounded on the bonnet of the jeep, and the gunner – Lance Bombardier Schofield – was killed, but Gunner Cummings driving the vehicle managed to get it back to town, where he tended the wounds of Lt Milum and another man for an hour until an American medical party came to their aid. The RASC lorry had crashed into a ditch, though, with the death of four men and the wounding of several others. Sgt Brunning evacuated the lightly wounded men from the lorry to a nearby house, where an RAF crew that had crashed the day before was also sheltering, then returned to the eleven men who could not move and set about tending their wounds. He remained with them by the lorry until darkness fell, before helping them back to the house. Surrounded and cut off, the group held on at the house until relieved the following morning by the 32nd Guards Infantry Brigade. Sgt Brunning was awarded a Military Medal for his actions.Recommendation for Award for Brunning, Alan, Serjeant (WO 373/52/93) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7404665Sergeant Allan Brunning, Military Medal The London Gazette y 36961 1179 6 March 1945 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36961/supplement/1179 165th HAA Regiment and allied response At around the same time that the 123rd LAA Rgt was engaged at the head of the column, brigade HQ was liaising with 101st Airborne commanders. 165th HAA Rgt received orders to deploy two of its guns from 198th Battery in an anti-tank role, and two further guns from 275th Battery for anticipated fire support to the east of Veghel. Personnel from brigade HQ and 151st Anti-Air Operations Room formed up as infantry into defensive positions.165th HAA Regiment RA Intelligence Report, in War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1167) The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441276 Troops from 275th and 317th batteries of the 165th HAA Rgt were given orders to move as infantry support for four tanks of the 44th Royal Tank Regiment, which had speedily redeployed from Schijndel,Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel - Closure of Hell's Highway" to do a slow sweep of the area, despite the misgivings of Lieutenant Hudson from the 275th, who was to lead one group: I was ordered by Captain Balkwill to hold his right flank in an attack upon the enemy...The order for this attack came from a Major of the Recce Corps (Royal Dragoons) whose 2 I/C for the operation was an American Captain. I spoke to this USA officer and pointed out to him that we were an HAA unit improperly equipped for infantry commands. He was already aware of this and stated every available man was required until the main US forces arrived.275 HAA Bty Statement on Infantry action by 275/165 personnel on 22 Sep '44, in 165th HAA Rgt War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1167) The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441276 The four tanks began their sweep at 1230, with the infantry moving up in support. While the tanks moved into a nearby village, the infantry — in open ground adjacent to the village — came under sustained heavy machine gun fire from a large German patrol. Under covering fire, Lt Hudson moved left into the village to seek the assistance of one of the tanks and Captain Balkwill. The commander of one tank agreed to come to the infantry's aid but had to undertake a large detour in order to do so, and Hudson returned with Lieutenant Lymer and men of the 317th in support. They became engaged in a running battle with German infantry crossing the position, delaying their return. By the time Hudson returned to his section's position, the troops had withdrawn to the road. Troops of the 317th had also pulled back under heavy small arms fire after sustaining casualties, with Sergeant Francis Henwood awarded a Military Medal for his coolness and courage in extracting his men from a dangerous position where they might all have been lost, after Captain Balkwill and four others had been killed.Recommendation for Award for Henwood, Francis, Sergeant (WO 373/56) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9238827 In a little over two hours six men had been killed and eight were missing, but the operation was reported as a successful holding and deterrent action, allowing reinforcements time to arrive and prevent the capture of the critical Veghel bridges.Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel - Closure of Hell's Highway" thumb|left|A 3.7-inch gun of the sort used by 165th HAA Regiment. In the meantime, the guns deployed both from the 198th and 275th batteries were in action firing airburst shells against enemy infantry and counter-battery fire against artillery positions shelling Veghel, as well as armour-piercing shells against enemy tanks moving along the canal. As the engagement had not been anticipated, the batteries had no ready ammunition supply, which remained in the convoy vehicles. Lance Sergeant Alvin Leaver of the 165th HAA Rgt took a Jeep and made three trips under continuous small arms fire to vehicles further back in the convoy to bring ammunition back to the guns. Having set up an artillery plotting board under mortar fire, he then, on his own initiative, made contact with one of the tank commanders to arrange fire support, as the brigade had no relevant maps for the area. The Major commanding the British tanks later reported that this fire had destroyed an enemy tank,Recommendation for Award for Leaver, Alvin, Lance Serjeant (WO 373/56) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9244281 and German accounts reported the delaying impact of this fire on their infantry.Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel - Closure of Hell's Highway" L/Sgt Leaver was awarded a Military Medal for his actions.Lance Sergeant Alvin Leaver, Military Medal The London Gazette y 37442 641 22 January 1946 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37442/supplement/641 This action continued throughout the afternoon, as reinforcements arrived from American airborne units in the area. A battery from 81st Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 327th Glider Infantry Regiment redeployed to defend the town, and combined with significant additional artillery support and rocket fire from RAF Hawker Typhoons, the attack was slowed and halted only 1,000 metres from the target bridges.Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel - Closure of Hell's Highway"Beevor 2018 ch. 21, "Black Friday 22 September" The final action of the brigade came in the early hours of the 23 September, when a Bren gun detachment of the 198th Battery captured two German soldiers carrying demolition charges in an attempt to destroy one of the Veghel bridges. Aftermath On the following day a combined effort of US 101st Airborne Division troops from Veghel advancing north and the British 32nd Guards Infantry Brigade attacking south from Nijmegen reopened the road, but not without hard fighting, and not until the early afternoon.Zaloga 2014 "Black Friday: Cutting Hell's Highway"Saunders 2001 ch. 10, "Veghel - Closure of Hell's Highway" The 100th AA Bde then continued its advance to Nijmegen, with the main party reaching its objective in the early hours of 24 September. Deployment at Nijmegen On arrival, the brigade immediately deployed its regiments to defend the key river crossings and bridges around Nijmegen. 27th LAA Rgt deployed in defence of Grave bridge and a bridge over the Maas-Waal Canal. 123rd LAA Rgt and 165th HAA Rgt, along with searchlights from 474 SL Bty and 557 SL Bty, deployed in defence of the main road, rail and pontoon bridges over the River Waal, both in a river and air defence role. 113th LAA Rgt arrived later that afternoon, but with its original objective of Arnhem uncaptured only deployed one battery initially, in an anti-aircraft role.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 16–17 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 The brigade had been heavily involved in the fighting at Veghel, but paid a heavy price. 15 men had been killed and a further 34 wounded, with E Troop so badly affected that it was unable to deploy at Nijmegen. 8 men captured from the 165th HAA Rgt and 151st AAOR during the battle had managed to escape captivity and return to their units, but another 11 were still missing. That included the RSM, Warrant Officer Hutchinson, who became a prisoner of war.PoW record for William Hutchinson (Regimental Sergeant Major), including Stalag XIIA detention details (WO 416/190/337) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944–1945 WO 416/190/337 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C16990735 Defence of the Nijmegen bridgehead Battle of the Nijmegen salient thumb|Nijmegen after the battle. 28 September 1944. Significant aerial activity was recorded over and around the bridges in the following days and weeks, as Operation Market Garden transitioned into the Battle of the Nijmegen salient. The Luftwaffe had been ordered to target the bridges with every available bomber, and Hitler demanded that his headquarters be called immediately after attacks to inform them of success or failure.Beevor 2018 ch. 21 "Oosterbeek, Arnhem, Nijmegen. Tuesday 26 September." 117 German aircraft attacked the area around the bridges on the 25 September, including a single raid of 100 aircraft, and further large-scale raids followed on 27 and 28 September.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 17–18 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 17–20 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 As well as conventional and jet aircraft, the Germans also employed 'composite' or 'piggyback' bombers, though these were inaccurate and never hit the bridges.Beevor 2018 ch. 21 "Oosterbeek, Arnhem, Nijmegen. Tuesday 26 September." Reinforcements arrived on 27 September in the form of 107th HAA Rgt and the remainder of 113th LAA Rgt.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 18–19 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Continuous action over 10 days resulted in 17 aircraft destroyed, with only slight damage to the bridges from the air.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 19–20 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196Routledge 1994 325 While these raids failed to do significant damage to the bridges, German shelling continued to cause casualties amongst the deployed troops. Lieutenant Hugo O'Neill of the 165th HAA Rgt was awarded a Military Cross for his actions on 25 and 26 September, relocating his battery's guns by day, despite being under observation and constant attack, after shell fire killed five men and wounded four others.Recommendation for Award for O'Neill, Hugo Cecil, Lieutenant (WO 373/56,665) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9466922Lieutenant Hugo Cecil O'Neill, Military Cross The London Gazette y 37442 637 22 January 1946 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37442/supplement/637 thumb|DUKWs transport supplies across the River Waal at Nijmegen, below the railway bridge whose central span was broken by German frogmen using floating mines, 28 September 1944 The most successful attacks against the bridges were riverborne. An attack by 12 frogmen on 28 September succeeded in destroying the railway bridge and damaging the road bridge,Zaloga 2014 "Hitler's Counteroffensive: September 28 – October 2" but a spirited defence and difficulty in handling the unwieldy explosives kept the road bridge operational.100th AntiAircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 19–20 The National Archives (UK) Kew Sep 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Ten of the twelve were captured, three of whom died from wounds.Beevor 2018 ch. 27 "The Island of Men. September to November 1944" The threat of frogmen was a recurring one, with several killed or captured over the next two months of action. Floating mines were also a threat, launched up-river in groups of up to twelve to drift downstream with the intent of detonating on contact with the bridges. To protect against this, a boom was laid across the river with searchlights mounted on it to continuously illuminate the surface of the water.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew Oct 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 No further damage was recorded to the bridges, but to bolster the defences further reinforcements were added to the roster of the 100th AA Bde in the shape of 90th HAA Rgt, 112th LAA Rgt, 321st LAA Bty of the 93rd LAA Rgt, as well as anti-tank guns, mortars and two infantry companies.Routledge 1994 325 Ten further aircraft were shot down during October,Routledge 1994 325 and the brigade was kept busy with further defence against swimmers and mines, fire support missions, laying of smoke screens and provision of artificial moonlight. On 10 November, after 7 weeks of nearly constant action, the 100th AA Bde was relieved of its duties at Nijmegen by the 74th AA Bde.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) 7–8 The National Archives (UK) Kew Nov 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Winter in the Netherlands The brigade redeployed and took on a number of duties in defence of towns and airfields adjacent to Eindhoven - Weert, Helmond and Deurne. A busy autumn for the brigade was followed by a lower tempo winter. The brigade's December war diary recorded activities in support of VIII and XII Corps, including bridge and air defence duties, but for the first time since Normandy some days reported only the weather. Various elements of the brigade went on training courses, or leave. Despite this, during November and December nine aircraft were damaged by the brigade and two destroyed, including the shooting down of an Me 262 over Helmond airfield, a kill shared with the RAF Regiment.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew Dec 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 Oliver Kingsley M 2002 111 The RAF Regiment at War 1942–1946 Pen & Sword UK 978-0-85052-852-7 By the end of 1944, brigade records showed that, at its largest, twenty sub-units and more than 9,000 men came under its command.Achievements of 100 AA Brigade since 13 June 1944, in War Diary 1944 (WO 171/1087) The National Archives (UK) Kew 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4441196 It had destroyed 68 enemy aircraft and damaged a further 46 during 550 engagements, firing 6,230 heavy anti-aircraft rounds and 65,220 light anti-aircraft rounds, for a recorded ratio of one aircraft destroyed for every 92 heavy and 959 light anti-aircraft rounds fired. In the ground role, the brigade fired 62,155 rounds of 3.7-inch ammunition, captured 92 prisoners, and destroyed two enemy tanks, with a possible third also credited, during the fighting at Veghel. These operations were conducted at a cost of 70 men killed, 262 wounded, and 21 missing. 1 January 1945 saw the only big raid that the brigade dealt with during its three-month deployment around Weert. 300 enemy aircraft were involved in general attacks on airfields, and 30–50 were observed over Helmond and Deurne. The brigade claimed 8 aircraft destroyed that day. Its total for January was 10, with a further 16 damaged across the three-month period.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) Kew Jan 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003 Advance into Germany thumb|Operation Veritable and Grenade. 100th AA Bde's role was the defence of the river Maas crossings between Gennep and Venlo, on the boundary between the two operations, and it then moved to Xanten to prepare for Operation Plunder. The 100th AA Bde had limited involvement in the initial stages of February 1945's Operation Veritable and Operation Grenade, the British crossing of the River Maas and American crossing of the River Roer respectively. The 90th HAA Rgt conducted fire missions in support of both British and American troops, and 113th LAA Rgt moved one battery, 368th, to Gennep in defence of the crossing there. They were supported by elements of 474th SL Bty, 151st AAOR and 63rd Anti-Tank Rgt.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) Kew Feb 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003 In early March, the LAA regiments of the brigade took on a larger role in the latter stages of Operation Veritable, taking over the air defence of Venlo, Lottum, Well and Gennep along the banks of the Maas river. There were sporadic raids by fighters and night bombing,Routledge 1994 350 but the war diary does not record significant action. Brigadier Crosse left the brigade on 7 March 1945, to take on a role as Commander, Royal Artillery, 49th (West Riding) Division, which was to finish the liberation of the Netherlands while the bulk of Allied forces headed east into Germany. Brigadier Mark Buller Turner, DSO, who had commanded 60th HAA Rgt since landing in Normandy, would lead the brigade for the final few months and the advance across the Rhine.Recommendation for Honours and Awards (WO 373/53/534) The National Archives (UK) Kew Nov 1944 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9157373 Operation Plunder Less than a week after the change in command, the brigade moved forwards to prepare for Operation Plunder and the crossing of the River Rhine.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) Kew Mar 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003 The 100th AA Bde was freed of its existing commitments to support XII Corps, while 106th AA Bde would do the same for XXX Corps.Routledge 1994 351 100th AA Bde would command 90th HAA Rgt, 108th HAA Rgt, 113th LAA Rgt and 123rd LAA Rgt, 322nd Bty of 93rd LAA Rgt, as well as searchlights, radar and 151st AAOR, and once again it would provide air, river and ground defence.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade Adm. Inst. No.10, Op. "Plunder", in War Diary 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) Kew Mar 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003 The brigade moved to the Xanten area, ready to defend the bridge and crossing points there. Preparation for the operation was extensive. Ammunition dumping took place over two weeks, and due to the relatively flat terrain of the region, guns had to be moved up, dug in and concealed at night.Routledge 1994 352-355 Fire support missions began on 23 March, and Routledge notes that there are doubts as to whether the ammunition expenditure was justified.Routledge 1994 355 The 90th HAA Rgt fired 4,575 rounds in the night before the crossings were made, and 108th HAA Rgt fired 7,079, before taking part in a 30-minute anti-flak bombardment the following morning.Routledge 1994 355 The combined 11,654 rounds fired in a single night was nearly a fifth of the reported expenditure of the 100th AA Bde in 1944. Air attacks on the 100th AA Bde positions were fewer than those experienced by their counterparts in the 106th AA Bde,Routledge 1994 358 but the war diary notes that overnight on the 24/25 March 28 mines, in groups of up to 8, were floated down the river. The experiences at Nijmegen had paid off and all were destroyed through a combination of searchlight tracking and both anti-aircraft and machine gun fire. Sporadic attacks by aircraft did occur, though, and by the end of March the brigade had confirmed 9 aircraft destroyed. Final engagements Following Operation Plunder, attention turned to the occupation of Germany.Routledge 1994 360–361 The brigade's HAA regiments were put onto battlefield clearance and transport duties after commanders judged that only LAA defence of the Rhine crossings was necessary, with the expectation that the HAA units be ready to deploy with notice if needed.Routledge 1994 360−361 The LAA units remained in defence of Rhine crossings at Xanten and Rees and for the first weeks of April there was relatively little air activity reported by the brigade, though Routledge reports that the 100th AA Bde was active in supporting the crossing of the River Weser by VIII and XII Corps between 9–11 April.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) Kew Apr 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003Routledge 1994 361–362 The brigade's war diary does not record involvement in this operation. thumb|right|British troops distributing food at Bergen-Belsen The 113th LAA Rgt was again detached and ordered to move to the newly liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. This it did on 17 April, arriving at Bergen-Belsen 238 miles away in 22 hours."The Story of Belsen, 113 LAA Regiment", within Imperial War Museum – Personal papers of E.N. Crosse https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1030013987 Imperial War Museum The regiment, and other men of the 100th AA Bde, were moved enough by the experience to produce a booklet containing photos, facts and a timeline of the duties carried out, written by Captain Andrew Pares. A copy is contained within Brigadier Crosse's private papers, shared with him by 113th's CO, Lt Col Mather. On completion of its duties, 113th LAA Rgt joined the 103rd AA Brigade. On 24 April the brigade received orders that it was to support VIII and XII Corps in Operation Enterprise, the crossing of the River Elbe. With its regiments engaged on other tasks, 100th AA Bde was reinforced by units of the 106th AA Bde, taking onto strength 165th HAA Rgt, 71st LAA Rgt and 109th LAA Rgt, as well as elements of 121st LAA Rgt, 63rd Anti-Tank Regiment and searchlight units. Operation Enterprise launched on 29 April, with the Luftwaffe making significant attacks against the river crossings, with little success. The brigade claimed four aircraft destroyed,Routledge 1994 362–363 taking their total for April to seven. A further 3 were confirmed destroyed in early May, taking the brigade's total to 97 for the campaign. Post-war After the cessation of hostilities, 100th AA Bde reverted to occupational duties in the vicinity of Harburg, Hamburg,Routledge 1994 363 though its primary deployment in the immediate post-war period was some 50 miles south at the POW processing camp at Munsterlager.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) Kew May 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003 A long-desired brigade rest centre, "100 Club", opened at the beginning of July 1945 in the area of Cranz, Hamburg,100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) Kew Jul 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003 after first being mentioned in January. With no airborne threat to face, the regiments of the brigade gradually gave in their guns, starting with 107th HAA Rgt in June.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) Kew Jun 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003 With no guns to maintain, the REME workshops also closed, and as the structure of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) became clearer, more regiments shuffled into other units. The brigade finally disbanded in February 1946.100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade War Diary 1946 (WO 171/8881) The National Archives (UK) Kew Feb 1946 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4448987 Order of Battle The brigade's composition varied throughout the campaign as regiments and batteries were attached or detached according to operational needs. The table below summarises the principal named units under command during selected key periods.Routledge 1994War Diary of 100th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, 1945 (WO 171/4896) The National Archives (UK) 1945 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4445003 Period Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiments Light Anti-Aircraft Regiments Other Notable Units Notes Formation (April 1943) 90th HAA Rgt107th HAA Rgt 123rd LAA Rgt – Operation Overlord 60th HAA Rgt107th HAA Rgt* 113th LAA Rgt123rd LAA Rgt71st LAA Rgt* 151st AAOR557th SL Bty In support of Second Army6 LAA Rgt in support for barrages107th HAA and 71st LAA added to strength in Aug.Operation Crosseforce 165th HAA Rgt 27th LAA Rgt71st LAA Rgt123rd LAA Rgt 73rd Anti-Tank Rgt13th/18th Royal Hussars (one troop)Royal Netherlands Brigade In support of XXX Corps86th Field Rgt in support Operation Market Garden(September 1944) 165th HAA Rgt 113th LAA Rgt123rd LAA Rgt27th LAA Rgt 474th SL Bty557th SL Bty151st AAOR In support of XXX Corps Nijmegen (September–November 1944) 165th HAA Rgt90th HAA Rgt*107th HAA Rgt* 112th LAA Rgt113th LAA Rgt123rd LAA Rgt321st Bty, 93rd LAA Rgt 344th SL Bty356th SL Bty474th SL Bty151st AAOR810th Pnr Smoke Coy Anti-tank guns, mortars, two infantry companies in support165th HAA replaced by 90th HAA in Oct Operation Plunder (Rhine crossing)(March 1945) 90th HAA Rgt108th HAA Rgt 113th LAA Rgt123rd LAA Rgt322nd Bty, 93rd LAA Rgt2nd Indep. LAA/SL Bty 474th SL Bty806th Smoke Coy151st AAOR100th Radar Bty In support of XII Corps324th Coy RASC Operation Enterprise (Elbe crossing)(April–May 1945) 165th HAA Rgt 71st LAA Rgt109th LAA Rgt2nd Indep. LAA/SL BtyElements of 18th, 58th and 121st LAA Rgts 63rd A Tk Rgt In support of VIII and XII Corps20 Canal Defence Lights in support Units marked with an asterisk (*) were attached to or detached from the brigade during the period shown. Notes "Note" References Bibliography Beevor Antony Arnhem: The Battle for the Bridges, 1944 Penguin Books London 2018 978-0-14-194129-5 Kindle Routledge N. W. History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914–55 Brassey's London 1994 978-1-85-753099-5 Saunders Tim Hell's Highway: U.S. 101st Airborne & Guards Armoured Division Battleground: WWII Pen & Sword Books 2001 Kindle 978-0-85-052837-4 Zaloga Steven J. Operation Market-Garden 1944 (1): The American Airborne Missions Campaign Osprey Publishing 2014 Kindle 978-1-78-200816-3 Further reading Townend W. Baldwin F. Gunners in Normandy: The History of the Royal Artillery in North-West Europe January 1942 to August 1944 2020 The History Press Cheltenham 1st 978-0-7509-9044-8 Category:Military units and formations established in 1943 Category:Anti-Aircraft brigades of the British Army in World War II Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946