Page 22 • The HERALD • 11th July 2024 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v A&D Morrison Builders Ltd FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING NEEDS • Extensions • Renovations • Alterations • Groundworks • Roo ng • Drives & Patios 07768 599704 or 023 8194 8673 adlmorrison@sky.com Free Estimates • Fully Insured • Based in Dibden Purlieu • Cedral cladding Covering Blackfield, Holbury, Hythe, Marchwood and Surrounding Areas ~~~~~ Lady Driver - DBS Checked Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle ~~~~~ Short Local Journeys Cruise Terminal & Airport Transfers Hospital Appointments Pub Pick Ups/Drop Offs Call 07795 192398 Cash and Card Payments accepted in vehicle FLAT ROOFING SPECIALISTS All Roof Repairs Tel: 023 8184 5632 Mobile: 07880 508415 Email: steve@braithwaiteroo ng.co.uk THE FLAT ROOF SPECIALIST The Battle of Britain over the Waterside & New Forest by Marc Heighway Marc hosts monthly local history talks, visit: nfhwa.org/events for details. During the summer of 1940, the skies above the Waterside and New Forest, like much of southern England, were transformed into a erce combat zone. 12th July marked the start of the Battle of Britain, a con ict that would last until October. It became a pivotal turning point in the Second World War, as the RAF were pitted against the Lu wa e in a desperate struggle for control of the air. e outcome of this battle not only thwarted Hitler’s plans for an invasion but also demonstrated the resilience and determination of the British people. Looking skywards, people of the time would have seen Hurricanes and Spit res in incredible dog ghts with their German adversaries. At this point during with wooden panelling. It was just large enough for four volunteers to stand inside at one time. With no roof, it was completely open to the elements, but this was by design, as it allowed observers to monitor the skies with binoculars and use an instrument to calculate the approximate position of any aircra . Another post was on the top of Marchwood Inclosure, overlooking Ipley Crossroads. If you walk out to the spot today, you can still see evidence of the brickwork in the ground. ere were also anti-aircra guns sited in the area, including light anti-aircra guns that could be moved from site to site on a trailer. Some were located in Ashlett Creek, Fawley Oil Re nery, Hythe, and Veal’s Farm in Marchwood. Additionally, xed heavy antiaircra positions consisting of a series of higher calibre guns were dug into the ground, sometimes with brick enclosures around them. One such position at Haxland in Exbury was equipped with four large guns. Other positions in the local area were built at Bunkers Hill in Beaulieu, just o Lime Kiln Lane in Hardley, Hounsdown (where the school now sits) and Yew Tree Heath (now the car park). Once darkness fell, a network of searchlights illuminated the night skies in the hunt for intruders. In many cases, the searchlights were on high ground, but one was positioned at the end of Hythe Pier, providing a good vantage point to scan the sky above the water which the Lu wa e might have used to help guide their approach to Southampton. By the end of October 1940, it was clear that the Lu wa e had failed to achieve its objectives. e RAF remained intact and any invasion plans were postponed. e Battle of Britain marked the rst major defeat for Germany and a signi cant turning point in the war. Incredibly, despite it being eighty-four years since the con ict, it’s still possible to see scars from the Battle of Britain on the New Forest landscape. ere are many crash sites where small pieces of wreckage can be found on the surface. Finding the remnants of these e orts such as crash sites and brick foundations of observation posts serve as poignant reminders of a time when the skies above our heads were a battle zone and the outcome was far from certain. the war, none of the New Forest air elds had been built yet, so there were no aircra taking o locally to participate in the con ict. Many of the Spit res defending the skies above the New Forest were from 609 Squadron RAF, based at Middle Wallop to the north of Hampshire. ey had some stunning successes. In August 1940 alone, the pilots from 609 Squadron destroyed forty-six enemy aircra ; many of these kills would have been within sight of people watching from the New Forest. Whilst there were no New Forest air elds operational during this period, it doesn’t mean there wasn’t local activity that contributed to the eventual success of the con ict. Various systems and strategies were in place to help hunt down enemy aircra . ese included the volunteers of the Observer Corps. During the day, they would scan the skies from observation posts dotted around the New Forest, reporting any sightings of enemy aircra back to a central command position by telephone. One observation post was situated at Blackwell Common on Exbury Road. It is believed to have been constructed with a brick wall up to shoulder height, supplemented Remains of observation post in Marchwood Inclosure overlooking Ipley Crossroads Remains of German aircraft ‘Chat About’ Social Club Join Hythe Library on Wednesday mornings 10am to 12noon to meet and socialise with new friends who are also retired. Feel free to take along existing friends or get to know their regulars and enjoy a free hot drink and maybe even a biscuit. No need to book, they look forward to seeing you there.
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