Monument record ASG 021 - RAF Great Ashfield, Battle Headquarters

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Summary

Battle Headquarters

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 6006 2666 (9m by 10m)
Map sheet TM62NW
Civil Parish GREAT ASHFIELD, MID SUFFOLK, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Great Ashfield. Battle Headquarters (S1).
Located to the north of the former airfield at the end of Wheelers Lane. When visited in November 2011, the structure was noted to be in poor condition and flooded to a depth of 2 feet. The bunker is in poor condition as it is flooded to a depth of 2 feet. The main entrance way is over grown and not accessable. The emergency hatch is missing but the escape ladder is still in place with only minor damage. The bunker has many original artifacts remaining including light fittings and light switches, fuse boxes (still with their fuses intact) and under the water level in the runners room what appears to be a basic electric heater low down at floor level !. The frames are still intact in the issue hatches and one of still has its door in place. This bunker looks to have been completely fitted out when it was built. (S2).
A battle headquarters building at the former Great Ashfield Airfield (opened 1943). The World War Two battle headquarters would have provided the command centre for the airfield's wartime defences against ground attack. It was said to be extant during the 1990s, though the exact condition of the monument was not recorded (S3).
Located to the north of the former airfield at the end of Wheelers lane.The bunker is in poor condition as it is flooded to a depth of 2 feet. The main entrance way is over grown and not accessable. The emergency hatch is missing but the escape ladder is still in place with only minor damage. The bunker has many original artifacts remaining including light fittings and light switches, fuse boxes (still with their fuses intact) and under the water level in the runners room what appears to be a basic electric heater low down at floor level !. The frames are still intact in the issue hatches and one of still has its door in place. This bunker looks to have been completely fitted out when it was built (S4).

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <S1> Digital archive: Defence of Britain Project archive. UORN: S0007956.
  • <S2> Web Page: WWII Airfield Battle Headquarters. http://www.battlehq.info/.
  • <S3> Index: English Heritage. Pastscape. http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1396136.
  • <S4> Digital archive: Subterranea Britanica. 2023. Subterranea Britannica Website.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jan 3 2024 11:39AM

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