102nd Australian Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HE)
From Our Contribution
 Gunners of prediction detachment of 140 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery working at Exmouth Gulf. Courtesy Australian Army Museum WA | |
Brief History
Initially raised as the 109th Australian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Woodman Point in Western Australia in August 1942, with 151st and 152nd Light Anti-Aircraft Batteries. The 150th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery was formed later in September. In June 1943 they moved to Naval Base, with 152nd Battery moving to Geraldton and Pearce to provide protection for those airfields, and 'R' Battery moved to Exmouth to provide protection for the submarine facility. In August 1943 150th Battery moved to Mosman Park while the HQ element moved to Guildford.
On 18 Sep 1943 the unit was re-organised to form 102nd Australian Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HE) based at Guldford but given the role of protecting RAAF airfields in the north west of the state. In October they handed over Geraldton and Pearce airfields, and in November 1943 the Exmouth submarine base was closed freeing up the detachment there to move to Corunna Downs. In December a Battery moved to Noonkanbah to defend the airfield being developed there. In January they were again responsible for Pearce and Guildford airfields and at this time the Forward HQ was at Corunna Downs and the Rear HQ at Pearce until it moved to Guildford in March joined by the 138th HAA Battery. However, in April 1944 the unit's War Diary lists the 140th Australian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery witht he 151st and 152nd Light Batteries.
By late 1944 the air threat to Perth was ended and the call for protection of forward airfields had reduced enough to reduce the number of AA batteries and in October 1944 the 102nd Australian Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment (HE) and all its sub units gathered at Bellevue where they were disbanded in December 1944.
Unit Personnel
Notes
Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 3 - The Australian Army 1939-1945, page 3.228 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018