78th (Fortress) Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers

The 78th (Fortress) Engineer Regiment was a specialist engineer unit of the British Army. The regiment was first formed in 1992 following the Options for Change, and later disbanded in 1999 following the Strategic Defence Review.

History
In 1992 the Soviet Union fell apart of the British Armed Forces (namely the army) were reduced severely. The changes announced were known as the "Options for Change", a name which was not very well liked by many members of the army. As a result of these reforms, the 2nd and 4th Armoured Division were disbanded leaving just the 1st (UK) Armoured Division and 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division. The 3rd Division was moved and stationed completely in the United Kingdom composing of initially 2 later 3 brigades + support brigade (102 Logistic Brigade).

The 3rd Division was in need of three engineer regiments being; x2 General Support Regiments (For their respective brigade) and a divisional support regiment (for divisional support units). These three regiments were assigned directly to Division HQ, although there were two other engineer regiments being the 22nd and 38th assigned for close support. This new third regiment was to be formed from reservists from other engineer regiments. This regiment was later called the 78th (Fortress) Engineer Regiment.

In 1992 the 78th (Fortress) Engineer Regiment was formed in Southampton with the task to provide a new support regiment for the 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division. Upon formation, the regiment had the following structure;


 * Regimental Headquarters in Southampton
 * 560 (Hampshire) Headquarters Squadron in Southampton [Newly Raised]
 * 127 (The Surrey Dragoons (Yeomanry)) Field Squadron in Brighton [From 200 Battery 100 Regiment RA]
 * 2 (Surrey Dragoons (Yeomanry)) Troop in Reigate
 * 227 (The Hampshire Carabiniers (Yeomanry)) Amphibious Engineer Squadron in Aldershot
 * Detachments in Southampton

The regiment saw no active service and was disbanded on 1 July 1999 following the Strategic Defence Review. The following happened to the sub units of the regiment;


 * Regimental HQ Disbanded
 * 127 (The Surrey Dragoons (Yeomanry)) Field Squadron - Disbanded
 * 2 (Surrey Dragoons (Yeomanry)) Troop transferred to 579 Bomb Disposal Squadron, 101 (London) Engineer Regiment
 * 227 (The Hampshire Carabiniers (Yeomanry)) Amphibious Engineer Squadron and 560 (Hampshire) Headquarters Squadron amalgamated and converted into 457 (Hampshire Carabiniers (Yeomanry)) Battery, 106th (Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Artillery