Monument record 8817/1 - Preston Capes WWII Searchlight/Anti-Aircraft Battery

A searchlight battery from World War II. It was probably constructed between 1939 and 1945. No above ground evidence remains.

{2} Original document PRO ref WO166/3150. Describes the arrival of 323 S/L Battery RA to take over this S/L late August 194[?], along with eight others in Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. Site described as DX 012 Preston Fields at MGR 83/007745.

Original document PRO ref WO166/3082 64 S/L Bty RA 39-41: 64th (Essex) S/L Regt to man 72 lights. 441 Battery to take over following cluster sites and single sites on DX 01 area forming part of a Killer Zone. Cluster sites- Dodford, Preston Fields, Blakesley, Biddleston. Battery HQ will be at Easton Neston Lodge.

{3} The report gazetteer makes specific reference to a LAA site defending Weedon (presumably the Depot?). No further details identified. Not this site?

{4} DX012 Preston Fields. One of 8 searchlight 'Killer Zone' cluster sites in south-west Northamptonshire. Seven had convertible MGRs (six in Northants); many others are mentioned by name but without a grid reference. As yet I have been unable to find a list of all of the sites in the area, as the files for the batteries in the area are unavailable.

<1> 1998, Aerial Photograph, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN100277.

<2> Armishaw A., 2001, War Diary of 318 Searchlight Battery: June 1940 - December 1941, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN101894.

<3> DOBINSON C.;, 1996, Twentieth Century Fortifications in England, Volume 1: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914-46, (unchecked) (Report). SNN40730.

<4> Armishaw A., 1939-1941, WO 166/3150 318 S/L Bty RA June 1940-Dec 1941, (unchecked) (Document). SNN101764.

Record last edited

Jun 20 2024 2:50PM