Monument record 8645/1/2 - WW2 Gun Emplacement Holdfasts (Banbury HAA site)

Four static gun emplacements, each comprising a gun mounting, known as a holdfast, arranged in a semicircle.

{1} The four holdfasts that make up the Banbury HAA appear to be the type known as No. 2 Mk. 1 where the corner spigots had been been replaced with a series of steel girders set in the concrete slightly outside the line of the holdfast frame. These located the baseplate which was then levelled with split wedges and shims and secured to the eight holding down bolts of the holdfast frame. Wedges between the girders and baseplate then prevented lateral movement. The cable ducts for the four holdfasts run towards a small rectangular feature.

{3} The main surviving HAA features are four static gun emplacements, each comprising a gun mounting, known as a holdfast, embedded in a circular concrete base, approx. 4m in diameter. These post-date the ridge and furrow and are arranged in a semi-circle typical of such HAA sites. The distance between the bases is in each instance approx. 27m.

<1> Catherall, P. D., 2003, Banbury Flood Alleviation Scheme: Annexe A, (checked) (Report). SNN103349.

<2> Catherall P.D., 2003, Banbury Flood Alleviation Scheme: Win Areas RA2 & RA3, (checked) (Report). SNN103350.

<3> Cadman, G., 2003, H1 Hanwell- WW2 Banbury GDA HAA Site, Chacombe, Northamptonshire, (checked) (Notes). SNN103367.

Record last edited

Aug 1 2024 2:10PM