Report - RAF Watton, Norfolk. Airfield defences, March 2016

[The_Mole]

If you fancy a tag along feel free to give me a message,i would like to head back

Will do chap. My mate wanted to go back too and explore a flooded Stanton shelter on the site. I think there may be some squatters living in one of the bomb sheds, but we managed to avoid them last time! Not sure what involvement the farmer has with it, but a lot of the vegetation has been cut back. Not sure if thats the Squatters using it for a wood burner of farmer cutting it back in preparation to knock it all down.

 

[Vapeexpert86]

Will do chap. My mate wanted to go back too and explore a flooded Stanton shelter on the site. I think there may be some squatters living in one of the bomb sheds, but we managed to avoid them last time! Not sure what involvement the farmer has with it, but a lot of the vegetation has been cut back. Not sure if thats the Squatters using it for a wood burner of farmer cutting it back in preparation to knock it all down.

I was there around 2 months ago and noticed that,what makes you think there is squaters? probably me leaving traces lol

 

[The_Mole]

I was born in Caston 1952. part of the old airfield was used as go kart racing before the prison was built. Most of my school mates during the 1960's were off the old camp. I moved to Ovington later and used to go to Shipdham Airfield . I believe Raf Watton was where the very first B17 landed for duty. The Blenhiem Bombers were stationed there before handing over. An old school mate opened an RAF Museum in the old officer's mess on the camp, a Julian Horn his dad was well known as one of our high school teachers. Shame so much is gone from Tottington old village. went round when I was about 12, (1964/65)

Hi Gordo. Thats interesting about the Go carting on the Griston site. I remember watching some sort of Rally Racing going on around the Camp parade ground and accomodation blocks. Was quite a big site and I recall seeing quite a lot of stuff that the RAF just left behind when they left. Glasses, seives, trays, New carpets, spanners, tool, fire bells, tables etc.
Yes, that is correct, The B17C I think was Known as the Fortress I in RAF service and was first in service in England by the RAF at Watton. I love the Mosquitoes personally, especially the Red tail ones the 25 BG (Recon) used to use. Lovely blue / Grey colour.
Yes, I know Julian Horn. I used to go to ATC with his Daughter. Unfortunately I never kept in touch with her when I left. Still need to visit the new museum now its moved to the Town hall. I remember when I was at school he done a talk in the officers mess on the old camp and bought in a Sten gun. (Bet you couldnt do that now!) Then we had a look around the museum and had a go at answering some pre set questions. Very interesting. I learnt a lot about the airfield that day.

 

[The_Mole]

I was there around 2 months ago and noticed that,what makes you think there is squaters? probably me leaving traces lol

Haha, no this whas a while ago. There was a car parked and some activity around the bomb sheds. Some tarp and improvised doors on it too. Thought it might have been the farmer at first, but when a pair of us went back a month or so later, he climbed one of the banks, then came running back because there was people milling about and a wood burning stove on the go. The was tarp kind of fencing off the area too, that I saw, with the bottom of peoples legs milling about. We avoided the area and tried to be as quiet as poss. We didnt get accosted, so assume we done a good job! hahaha

 

[Vapeexpert86]

Haha, no this whas a while ago. There was a car parked and some activity around the bomb sheds. Some tarp and improvised doors on it too. Thought it might have been the farmer at first, but when a pair of us went back a month or so later, he climbed one of the banks, then came running back because there was people milling about and a wood burning stove on the go. The was tarp kind of fencing off the area too, that I saw, with the bottom of peoples legs milling about. We avoided the area and tried to be as quiet as poss. We didnt get accosted, so assume we done a good job! hahaha

Is there anything in the wooded area in the centre of the airfield?

 

[Tonybee]

I was born a short distance from the Griston end of the old RAF Camp, when a few years old in early 1960's a couple of us go through a hole in the chain link and find starter shells, with a little brasso they cleaned up lovely. There was also a Airfield opposite Bodney Camp on the road from Watton just past Great Cressingham. I am not sure if anything left there now but the strip is clear to see, bit hilly but only light craft were used. There are lost villages on the Battle Area, which I believe they allow trips at certain times of the year

Just come across this web site and found some interest in the subject. I was born in Merton, used to travel over to Griston and check out the old hangers in the 1960s-70s. Andrew Clarke (Wagon & Horses) would spend hours over there.

 

[Tonybee]

RAF Watton.
Absolutely gutted that I never photographed any of the site in all the time I was there in the late 90s. Even found some tunnels and underground buildings that have since been built on.....
First, some history, from Wiki:

RAF Watton is a former Royal Air Force station located 9 miles southwest of East Dereham, Norfolk, England and has an active military history spaning nearly 6 decades.

RAF Watton was a permanent expansion period RAF station built by John Laing & Son and first used as a light bomber airfield. The four 1935 design C-type hangars, arranged in the usual crescent on the northern side of the airfield, were backed by the permanent buildings of the pre-war RAF camp. The construction of the airfield necessitated the closure of two public roads. Opened in 1937 it was used by both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during the Second World War.
On two occasions in 1940, 82 Squadron (Bristol Blenheim MkIVs) sent a squadron of 12 aircraft out on raids, only for a single aircraft to return, resulting in the squadron having one of the highest loss ratios in bomber command.
In 1943 Watton was turned over to the United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force for use as an air depot. The airfield was originally grass surfaced but, during the American tenure, the airfield had a 2,000 yd (1,829 m) long concrete runway constructed and a concrete perimeter track was built.

3rd Strategic Air Depot.
Under the American tenancy, Watton was expanded to become the 3rd Strategic Air Depot, which was the major overhaul and repair of the Consolidated B-24 Liberators of the 2nd Air Division. The air depot complex was adjacent to Watton airfield and built in the village of Griston to the south, bordering the B1077 road. However, the depot was known officially as Neaton, given USAAF designation Station 505, a village located to the north of Watton town.
The 3rd Strategic Air Depot remained operational until the American departure in July 1945.

25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance)
Watton was also the home of the 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance) which was formed at Watton as the 802nd Reconnaissance Group in February 1944. The unit was renamed the 25th on 17 July 1944.

Watton reverted to RAF control on 27 September 1945. It was used by various flying units of RAF Signals Command.

With the installation of secondary surveillance radar (SSR) at Watton, the station became one of the five units in the joint military/civil National Air Traffic Services Organisation with Eastern Radar until the 1980s. Then in the 1990s, the airfield came into use by the Army in connection with the nearby Stanford Training Area (STANTA).

Part of the camp put up for sale in 1995 was sold to a developer for the creation of a new housing estate.
A large part of the site has been developed into the Blenheim Grange housing estate, which is actually officially part of Carbrooke. All of the roads are given names with links to air force history, such as Wellington Road and Canberra Road. History has not been forgotten on the estate and at the entrance there are two monuments, one is a propeller in memory of the British airmen and the other is a more traditional monument in memory of the Americans.

The Runway is still mostly in place (apart from an area that has been taken up and a footpath to Griston has been built) at the top end of the estate and the area is set to become agricultural land. A large part of the estate is still to be developed and in many places you can still see signs with wording similar to "RAF property keep out".

Airfield Defences
In addition to two Pickett Hamilton fort pillboxes that I could not locate, supposedly around the East end of the flying field, the airfield had 5 Pillboxes to the north and just outside of its boundary. A rare pentagonal roofless one has disappeared under housing development.

Peritrack Pillbox.
Just outside the bomb stores. The only one inside the Airfield Boundary. Fairly clean, but weather worn and part hidden under vegitation. Brick shuttering.

Still complete with a bit of hardware.

Backtrack Pillbox:
Down a little track, used to access bomb stores. Full of crap, under vegitation and falling apart. Brick shuttering.

Back down the lane......

Clipbush lane:
On the edge of a field. Bit of rubbish inside. Brick shuttering, mostly fallen disappeared.

Nice clear field of fire.....

Pillbox; track by married quarters:
When I was a kid, I used to play all over this. It was in a lot worse state then and has been partially rebuilt. It has had a new pair of doors installed and locked making internal inspection impossible. I always suspected the walls on top to be from some sort of anti aircraft gun.....

Fizzing Onions. The hypocrisy of the statement "Please help preserve our heritage" whilst they vandalise and destroy a whole 1935 pattern station right in front of he box really gets me.

The Heinkel He111 that was bought down in Ovington by the cable rockets.

Complete with smiley face on the canopy!

Memorial to the AA crews, behind Tedder close.

More reports of the rest of the airfield to follow in due course......

We erected the 455th memorial in June 2000, placed in the position of what was part of Tent City where some of the 455th stayed, This was where many veterans of THE FIGHTING RABBS came for the unavailing, They were so grateful. I believe this is possibly the only one in the uk dedicated to a Anti Aircraft Unit. Having close contact i think there are only around 2 men still with us. I was invited to the reunion in 2003, where i spoke to one veteran who went on to tell me his story of Himself and the formed Cotton Choppers at Sun Studios and Elvis Presley.

 

[Tonybee]

To go on the tours you have to be over 18 although all the original churches that resided in the battle area when it became private property still stand, that’s what the tour goes around. All the original houses there was destroyed, they rebuilt the houses in Thompson, opposite the green. They’d resently tor down the rest of the only remaining aired houses for new houses. Some of the best places to hear the battle noises as they still fiight there is standing on Merton green in the morning and evening. From personal experience living in those houses can be a nightmare. Some pillboxes still stand if you walk around that area. I sometimes worry why a 14 year old knows all this, and btw do you know a Heather? From Thompson and Merton? Or does the name Goodwin or Ayers ring any bells. If you lived in that area, it may do.

Hi, hope am not sounding full of it ? But as a local historian i think i can offer something.. In 1942 all civilians were ordered to leave there homes on a condition they could return soon after, this became the well documented as a lie. After some fighting the MOD won there case, all those that had been removed were giving alternative homes with the condition they would only pay the same rent as they were paying for the rest on the life when staying in the alternative homes, this covered many homes in Breckland, Merton, Thompson and so on, many of the residence were paying something like a shilling a week....
During the late 1970s the MOD decided to help with the preservation of some of the properties with in the Battle Area (Stanta) mostly the ones that were still standing, these by rebuilding some of the walls etc, if only just to stabilize and keep the basics of what was once a living home. All properties have all been mapped, named with plaques including pubs to recognize that was the place of the property. All churches were fenced in to keep everyone one out including military. Although at first the dear miss Reeve was not included within the fence area at first because she committed suicide, later they adapted and fenced her grave with in the church yard at Tottington. Tottington Pews were relocated to Rockland St Peter, later to a church in Norwich and maybe moved again...
As kids in the late 1960s we would venture into the the area, often hiding from the warden, at that time the orchards were still standing and we would collect apples, pears and plums. I remember finding the old Black Smiths shed and finding an old clay pipe in the fire place.
The Battle Area tour consisted of traveling to all churches, whilst traveling the tour guide would give a talk on subject we would pass. I remember once having pointed out the sweet peas still blooming and was informed these were original from the early days. Another lady if she could stop at a place and collect one stone to place on her fathers grave at Tottington, yes was the answer and when asked, Is this where your father lived, she replied, OH NO, BUT he might as well have done, this is where he spent most of his time she said, the stone she had removed was from the remains of the local pub..

I can remember Billy Ayers, that would be Heather Goodwin's father.

Anyway sorry to run on, hope some one found it interesting.