HQ Sydney Fortress

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Brief History

In October 1940 coastal defences were reorganised to combine permanent gunners and militia troops to form integrated batteries. HQ Eastern Command Fixed Defences was formed at North Head to take overall control and technical supervision. In September 1941 Ack Ack units were separated out and placed under the control of another unit. In April 1942 the unit's name changed to HQ NSW line of Communication Fixed Defences. In May 1943 the unit became known as HQ Sydney Fortress which now controlled the Sydney Fixed Defences, the Ack Ack batteries and the VDC Garrison Battalions.

By October 1943 most of the Coastal Batteries were staffed by VDC members, anad the units went through several iterations before November 1943 when all coastal and anti-aircraft batteries were on a care-and-maintenace basis. In January 1945 the unit's role and name changed to reflect a broader area of operation and the unit was renamed HQ Fixed Defence NSW, ressponsible for all CoastaL Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Batteries in NSW. In June 1945 the unit moved to South Head where they remained for the rest of the war.

Unit Personnel

• John Blair 10 Oct - 29 Nov 1944

Notes

Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 3 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 3.129 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018