Monument record 7128/0/1 - H2 Astrop WWII Battery

[Also known as: Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery Banbury H2]. Site of Second World War heavy ant-aircraft battery at Astrop, documented as extant in June 1942, when it was unarmed. There are no remains.

{1} This report gazetteer makes specific reference to this site named as 'H2 Astrop' established for defence of Banbury. It is identified as being unarmed (?unfinished?) and without radar. The report contains detailed descriptions of HAA sites. Note that the NGR places this site in Kings Sutton parish. The gazetteer places the battery as having been in use 22/6/1942.

{2} The remains of some of the heavy anti-aircraft site was inspected. They comprised four circular concrete holdfasts laid out in a flattened arc typical of such HAA sites. All four are partially overgrown but appear to be in good condition. Each is complete with integral metal holdfast fittings and a single grass filled cable duct. In each instance the fittings comprise both 8x 'U' section 'plates' and a similar number of circular threaded iron securing pipes or bolts. The majority of the latter are still occupied by (a rare survival) their no ferrous metal caps. Between the 8 edge flanges of the latter is stamped the text: FYT 4 5 HA 1941 1028
It was unclear whether a point was present between the numbers 4 and 5. In smaller figures on one of the remaining 'flanges' is the number '453' together with a small arrow intersecting a crescent or letter 'C'. No earthworks or other features directly associated with the holdfasts were observed during the rapid inspection.

{3} Follow up information on the brass levelling nuts on the holdfasts. The nuts and holdfasts are unusual in that they seem to be a midway point in both design and chronology between holdfast No.2 MK1 and No.2B MK1.

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

<2> Cadman G., 2003, H2 Astrop WW2 HAA Site, Astrophill Farm, King's Sutton, (checked) (Notes). SNN103346.

<3> Armishaw, A., 2003, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN107563.

Record last edited

Oct 24 2023 1:54PM