210TH COAST ARTILLERY BATTALION (AA) (AW)
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII

In May 1943 Anti-Aircraft units were established as separate from the Coast Artillery and there were changes in unit designations. On 15 May 1943, the 197th CA (AA) Regiment was reorganised into the following:-

197th AAA Group [HQ and HQ Bty]
744th CA Bn (AA) (gun)
210th CA Bn (AA) (AW)
237th AAA SL Bn.

The 56th Edition of the US Army Station List dated 23 June 1943 shows the following:-

Battery "C", 210th CA Bn (AA) (AW) at Garbutt Field, Townsville, QLD, 7 Officers and 150 Enlisted Men
Battery "D", 210th CA Bn (AA) (AW) at Townsville Area, QLD, 7 Officers and 150 Enlisted Men
Hq & Hq Btry, 210th CA Bn (AA) (AW) Sixth Army at Pemmican, New Guinea, 15 Officers and 114 Enlisted Men
Btry "A" & "B", 210th CA Bn (AA) (AW) Sixth Army, at Pemmican, New Guinea, 12 Officers and 281 Enlisted Men

The following is from the Diary of the 197th AAA Group 15 May 1943 to 26 November 1944:-

1943

May 15     CO 197th AAA Group continues as AA Commander for Townsville area with the following units in tactical setup –

744th CA Bn (AA) (Gun) Batteries C & D
210th CA Bn (AA) (AW) Batteries C & D
237th AAA SL Bn Battery B
238th AAA SL Bn Battery B
102nd CA Bn (AA) (AW) Batteries B & C
16th AA (Australian ) Harry 1 – 5 (5 – 4 gun stations.)

210th CA Bn (AA) (AW) released VOGC from jurisdiction of 197th AAA Group.

May 25     210th CA Bn (AA) (AW) less Btry’s C & D, with Btry’s A & B and 744th CA Bn (AA) (Gun) attached and Btry A, 237th AAA SL Bn attached, departed from APO 705 to APO 928.

Jun 04     Btrys C & D 210th Bn (AA) (AW) fired rockets. The experiment was supervised by Lt Col Haynes, Co, 237th AAA SL Bn.

Jun 07     Col. Newman and Major Hodgson carried out tactical inspection of Btry D, 744th CA Bn (AA) (Gun).

Jun 08     Col Newman and Major Hodgson carried out tactical inspection of Btry C, 210th CA Bn (AA) (AW).

Conference to discuss tactical use of searchlights for homing distressed planes in this area was held by Col. Newman, Lt Col Haynes Commanding Officers and liaison officers of 3 FS.

Jun 09     Btry’s C & D, 210th CA Bn (AA) (AW) set off rockets and fired upon them with machine guns

Jun 10     Btry D, 210th.CA Bn (AA) (AW) test fired two machine guns.

Practice of homing of aircraft by searchlights, 237th AAA SL Bn at 1915 hrs; reports very satisfactory.

Jun 11     `Six aircraft safely conducted to airdrome by searchlights.

Jun 21     Group received warning order (verbal) to move by air transport to be followed by 2nd ech via water transport.

Jun 23     744th CA Bn – target practice, MG’s, fired twelve rockets.

Jun 24     C Btry, 210th CA Bn fired target practice with rockets.

Jun 25     Capt Deas completed SCR-268 school.

Jul 04     Loading of equipment on X-70 at Townsville Liberty ship “Hall Yoring” at 1300 hrs Troops loaded at 1355hrs. Left dock at 1440 hrs. Col. Newman CO of troops on ship. Convoy of 16 ships including protection – cover of friendly planes. Troops slept in 5 hatches, officers on deck . Destination Moresby. Toilets on board inadequate, insufficient life preservers, no showers provided.
Troops 197th & 208th Gp HQ, C Btry 210th, 102nd CA Bn.

Can anyone help me with more information?

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This page first produced 13 October 2021

This page last updated 23 October 2021