29th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (New Zealand)

The 29th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was an air defence regiment of the New Zealand Military Forces raised during the Second World War. It saw service as part of the 3rd New Zealand Division during the Solomon Islands campaign and was disbanded in October 1944.

29th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment
A Bofors gun of 29th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment being unloaded from a landing craft
Active	1942–1944
Country	New Zealand
Branch	New Zealand Military Forces
Type	Air Defence
Size	~1000 personnel
Part of	3rd New Zealand Division
Engagements	Second World War Battle of Vella Lavella Battle of the Treasury Islands Battle of the Green Islands

History

Formation

The 29th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was formed at Pahautanui in August 1942. By the end of September, four batteries had been formed—namely 207, 208, 209 and 214 batteries—with each battery armed with twelve Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns.

Disbandment

Owing to manpower shortages, 29th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was disbanded along with the rest of the 3rd Division in October 1944. During the war, the regiment had lost 24 men killed and 46 wounded.

References

• Gillespie, O. A. (1952). The Pacific. Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45. Wellington: Historical Publications Branch.
• Evans, J. A. (1948). The Gunners: An Intimate Record of Units of the 3rd New Zealand Divisional Artillery in the Pacific from 1940 to 1945. The Third New Zealand Division Histories. Wellington: Reed Publishing Ltd.