[1][3][4] In November 1942 the regiment switched command again, this time to 5 AA Bde, which had air defence commitments in Southern England but had a high turnover of units, many of which were under training for deployment overseas.

[1][4][5] In April 1944, 146th HAA Rgt joined 76 AA Bde, one of the formations preparing for the Allied invasion of Normandy, Operation Overlord.

[6] 146th HAA Regiment's task was to protect the British and US installations at Port-en-Bessin, where petrol storage depots were being built, fed by 'Tombola' buoyed pipelines from tankers moored offshore.

However, First Canadian Army's advance along the Belgian coast was proceeding rapidly, and on 14 September 146th HAA Rgt was ordered to move up to Ostend, which had just been liberated.

[10][11] The re-opened harbour became an important supply point for stores and bulk petrol for 21st Army Group, the first tankers berthing on 30 September.

The climax came on 1 January 1945 (Operation Bodenplatte) when over 900 fighters and fighter-bombers made surprise attacks on Allied airfields, including those close to Ostend.

75 AA Brigade borrowed some troops of HAA guns from the regiments at Ostend to thicken up its defences against mine-laying aircraft, which were active up until 23 January.

Next day the regiment received warning orders to be ready to move to 80 AA Bde and itself convert to garrison troops on the River Maas.

As 76 AA Bde's war diary commented, 'It is most exasperating for the Regt to be left high and dry with no orders for its future employment'.

On 27 Apr 1945, 146th HAA Rgt regiment was listed as one of several AA units still awaiting re-employment or disbandment, but the next day it left for its new duties.