The time when Sunderland’s Dad’s Army was the enemy
“During the night of June 11-12 [1954], enemy paratroopers co operating with local agents and sympathisers, intent on destroying important installations, were either killed or rounded up-prisoners taken.”
So read the military communiqué issued at the end of Home Guard operation“Sparrow hawk .”
Although the enemy was not identified,it was clear that at a time of Cold War tension sand fear of invasion or even atomic war, the foe was clearly the Soviet Union. Readers might be surprised to learn that the World War Two Home Guard( immortalised in the BBC TV sitcom“Dad’ s Army ”)- officiallystood down on December 3, 1944- had been re formed in 1952 on a voluntary basis. The Soviet threat led to the passing the Home Guard Act in 1951. It was intended to create 397 Category A battalions east of a line from Flamborough Head to Selsey Bill, but omitting Greater London, to be raised to full effective strength, while the remaining 397 Category B battalions west of the line would only be raised to skeleton strength of 50 men per battalion. On Wear side, the 9 th Durham( Sunderland) Home Guard Category B Battalion was established with headquarters at Rock Lodge, Roker. Its recruitment area was to the north of the River Wear, including the rural area to South Shields County Borough boundary, Washington and Us worth. Uniforms consisted of standard 1949 pattern battle dress and midnight blue berets. The 26 th( Sea ham) Home Guardresponsible for the area to the south of the Wear. An important role of the Home Guard was to guard vulnerable installations such as Sunderland and Sea ham Dock sand the W ear’ s ship yards. Exercise “Sparrow hawk” was planned as a test of communications and transport, ammunitionsupply, medical attention, feeding arrangements, evacuation of the wounded and interrogation of prisoners. The part of the enemy was played by Sunderland Home Guard. Simulated airborne and sea borne landing were made between Sea burn and South Docks, while saboteurs were located in the docks. One saboteurwas“killed” with another being captured; intelligence was gleaned of an attack to cripple installation sin the Sea ham area, leading to road blocks and patrols being established in the neighbourhood. Enemy movements were detected on the coast at Sea ham with enemy forces striking from all directions. Supported by the RAF, the defenders claimed victory with commandingofficers stating that their men would give a good account of themselves in time of war. Apart from participating in drill sat Dyke lands Road TA Centre and shooting competitionsat W hit burn Range, there are few other indications of local Home Guard activity during the1950s. The force was disbanded in 1957.