Monument record 7051/2 - Possible Battle Headquarters

The site of a possible Airfield Battle Headquarters located beside Appletree Lane in a small wooded area on the west edge of the Second World War airfield of Chipping Warden. It consists of six semi-sunken rooms, constructed from Stanton Shelter sections in an L-shape, with the long side parallel to the road. There are three entrances with steps, and two escape shafts in the centre of each wing. There are the remains of various fixtures and fittings including: brackets for electric lighting, battens for shelving and equipment, holes for piping through the dividing walls and external wall on the south side, and cable recesses in the concrete floor. The interior is painted a light sand colour. All of the doors have remains of wooden frames, painted green. The exterior is covered with a 10mm layer of asphalt.

{1} Located in woodland on western edge of Chipping Warden airfield close to Appletree Lane. 6 roomed, semi-sunken structure in brick and concrete; constructed with Stanton Shelter sections. ‘L’ shaped plan with long side parallel to road. 3 entrances with steps; 2 escape shafts, one each in centre of each wing. Fittings for lighting, shelving etc. Interior painted light sand colour. Remains of wooden door frames. Good condition. Provis. Interpreted as airfield Battle HQ. Location plan, scale drawing and annotated colour photos.

{2} AA seeking to locate wiring diagram for station telephone system as this may identify/confirm function. Identifies good condition and dryness of structure as resulting from exterior being covered in about 10mm of asphalt.

{3} Possible Airfield Battle Headquarters. Six rooms, semi-sunken, constructed from Stanton Shelter sections in an L-shape, with the long side parallel to the road. There are three entrances with steps, and two escape shafts [for observation?] in the centre of each wing. There are brackets for electric lighting, battens for shelving and equipment, holes for piping through the dividing walls and external wall on the S side, and cable recesses in the concrete floor. The interior is painted a light sand colour. All of the doors have remains of wooden frames, painted green. Exterior has 10mm layer of asphalt. Beside Appletree Lane in a small wooded area on the W edge of Chipping Warden airfield.

{5} This website has photographs of the possible Airfield Battle Headquarters.

<1> Armishaw A., 2000, Defence of Britain Report Forms, (checked) (Notes). SNN101480.

<2> Armishaw A., 2000, Letter from A Armishaw 25.5.00, (checked) (Correspondence). SNN101482.

<3> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<4> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

<5> Derelict Places: Documenting Decay, https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/threads/raf-chipping-warden-march-09.10046/ [Accessed 28/03/2024] (Website). SNN116265.

Record last edited

Feb 5 2025 7:17PM