On 1 May 1948, a sub-unit battery of 3 Composite Anti-Aircraft Regiment with 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns and searchlights was raised at Southport, Queensland.
The operation was carried out under 'artificial moonlight' (searchlights shining onto the cloud cover) and during the assault on Rees by the 51st (Highland) Division the Grants both illuminated the crossing and engaged the enemy on the far bank with their 75mm guns.
During World War II, Arthur Lowe, of Dad's Army, was stationed at Barkston with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, which was tasked with servicing searchlights.
Both launches were lit up by searchlights on the French ships and attacked with Hotchkiss fire by Duguay-Trouin.
Also in aviation, there is concern about laser pointers and bright searchlights causing temporary flash blindness and other vision-distracting effects in pilots who are in critical phases of flight such as approach and landing.