Monument record 2945/0/1 - RAF Cranage Airfield Defences - Battle Head Quarters

Battle headquarters at RAF Cranage. Part of defences of former World War II airfield RAF Cranage. One part of Scheduled Monument 34989 , which is divided into six areas.

The battle headquarters at RAF Cranage is of the standard Air Ministry design 11008/41 and became operational in August 1941. It was sighted to give a good view over the whole airfield and acted as a command post for the airfield defence commander whose office was central to the structure. The battle headquarters was originally surrounded by a blast protection wall consisting of an earth bank which is now eroded away. It was constructed of concrete and brick and is entered on the west side originally through a steel entrance hatch and down a short flight of steps. Internally there was an office, messenger’s room, sleeping accommodation, telephone exchange room and chemical toilet. At the eastern end there is an observation post with a narrow viewing slit all the way around. On the southern side there is a modified 3/23 brick and concrete-built machine gun post with light anti-aircraft position. It had a duel role as an anti-aircraft position and as point defence. It housed four men, armed with three light machines and a rifle. Ammunition was stored in a central underground store. Protection of the gun crew was provided by earth banks which have since eroded away (1).

<1> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 34989 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<1> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 34989 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<2> CBA, 2002, Defence of Britain Project, S0003994 (Digital Archive). SCH4380.