In the 1930s the increasing need for anti-aircraft (AA) defence for Britain's cities was addressed by converting a number of Territorial Army (TA) infantry battalions into searchlight (S/L) units.

The battalion, which dated back to 1860 and had served with distinction as pioneers during World War I, was based at Stow Hill, Newport, Wales, and reorganised for its new role with Headquarters (HQ), 453, 454 and 455 S/L Companies.

On 30 September the regiment was ordered to begin transferring from 45th to 46th AA Brigade, which was responsible for the 'Bristol Defended Area', including Avonmouth Docks and various aircraft factories.

Similarly, in mid-March, a newly formed 474 S/L Battery moved into the Tetbury area and took over the S/L sites and equipment from 455 S/L Company, which went to training camp.

68th Searchlight Rgt sent a detachment to take up ground defence duties at RAF Tangmere, and 455 Company moved to Weyhill, Hampshire, in July.

Most of the combats during the early part of the Battle of Britain were in daylight, but Luftwaffe night bombers regularly appeared over the Bristol Defended Area and the S/Ls in South West England were frequently in action.

[3][4][10] The regiment supplied a cadre of experienced officers and men to 232nd S/L Training Rgt at Devizes where it provided the basis for a new 525 S/L Bty formed on 14 November 1940.

The cluster system was an attempt to improve the chances of picking up enemy bombers and keeping them illuminated for engagement by AA guns or Royal Air Force (RAF) Night fighters.

In March 1941 68th Searchlight Rgt was ordered to strip some Lewis guns from its S/L clusters and send them back to Parnall's at Yate.

[16][32][33][34] As the threat of attack by the weakened Luftwaffe waned, AA Command was forced to release manpower for the planned invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord).

In June 1944 the War Office (WO) warned AA Command that it would have to provide further reinforcements to 21st Army Group fighting in North West Europe.

The run-down began in the autumn, when most AA defences in the West of England were dismantled, and on 13 September 1944 68th S/L Rgt was instructed to un-man all its operational sites and concentrate the personnel at Bristol.

[2][47][48][46] When the TA was reduced into the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve (TAVR) in 1967, the combined regiment became 211 (South Wales) Bty in 104 Light Air Defence Rgt, with D (Monmouthshire) Trp at Newport.