At RAF Station Hethel, a remarkable defence post still
exists. Admittedly, RAF Hethel is in
Norfolk and not Suffolk, but the records for this site do provide some interest
in relation to the defence of airfields in Eastern Command. Work on Hethel
began in 1941 and the station was opened late 1942 and was actually one of the RAF
Stations handed over to the USAAF for the use of its bomber units.
The defence post was constructed in accordance with a new
policy adopted by Eastern Command. Previously, airfield defences had been built
as a result of the Taylor Report and largely consisted of pillboxes and
breastworks which were large and conspicuous and vulnerable to air attack.
Experience at Crete had shown the need for small inconspicuous field works. The
new defences were to now consist of small two man weapon-slits and small
machine gun pits constructed in accordance with “Infantry Training, 1937”
Supplement No.3 – “The design and lay-out of Field Defences, 1942”.
Above: The defence post at RAF Hethel produced using a hand held GPS. It shows the weapon-slits and arcs of fire.
The defence scheme at Hethel was planned entirely in accordance
with this new policy and the defences at two other aerodromes, West Rayham and
Great Massingham, were altered in view of the change in policy for the defence
of aerodromes.
The defence post at Hethel appears to consist of a layout of
weapon-slits and machine gun pits surrounding a platoon headquarters. The weapon-slits and machine gun pits are
lined with 9” brickwork and would have been tanked in 3” asphalt.
The weapon-slits are 12 ft long by 2 ft wide, so maybe three
man weapon-slits. In total there are six weapon-slits, supporting the machine
gun pits.
Above: Brick lined 12' x 2' weapon-slit and plan
There are two types of the machine gun pit, although the
variation is slight. The pits were supposed to have been constructed according
to “Infantry Training 1937” Supplement No.3, page 9, fig, 7, although they are
the basically the standard MG emplacement in open ground as shown in “Manual of
Field Engineering” , Vol I 1933. In total there are six machine gun pits.
Above: First type of MG emplacement (the only one of this kind out of the six)
Above: The second type of MG emplacement
Above: Top image shows MG emplacements in open ground, "Manual of Field Engineering", Vol. I 1933. The above emplacements are clearly based on fig.3. Bottom image shows the machine gun pit illustrated in "Infantry Training, 1937", Supplement No.3, page 9, fig. 7.
The weapon-slits surround a “cut and cover” type dugout,
perhaps a platoon headquarters. The dugout is lined in 9” brickwork and has a
7” thick concrete roof, capped with earth. According to specifications, the platoon
headquarters was to be constructed according to Field Service Pocket Book 1938,
pamphlet No.4, page 32 but lined with 9” brickwork and tanked in 3” asphalt.
Above: The "Cut and Cover" dugout and plan. Bottom image shows the splinter proof shelter in Field Service Pocket Book 1938, pamphlet No.4, page 32.
The whole layout may be a strongpoint consisting of three
medium machine gun sections. This would
be in accordance with the overall defence scheme to be adopted for aerodromes
of self-contained platoon localities (although only two sections normally made
up a medium machine gun platoon) distributed at or near the aerodrome
perimeter. Platoon posts were to be
designed for all round defence and be mutually supporting if possible. Within
the platoon post, section posts were to be close enough to facilitate control
but not to be in such so close proximity that one bomb could destroy more than
one post.
Above: Does this defence post consist of three medium machine gun sections? Bottom image shows a layout for a medium machine gun section as illustrated in "Infantry Training, 1937", Supplement No. 3, "The design and lay-out of Field Defences, 1942"
According to a Specification and Estimation of Costs for the
construction of the defences of Hethel, the aerodrome was to be provided with
the following defences:
15 Section Weapon Pits (two interconnected trenches each
18’x2’ )
22 single MG emplacements
3 dual MG emplacements
Battle HQ to design AM Drawing No. 11008/41
5 Platoon HQ and two man weapon-slits
4 Observation posts (to be constructed with timber complete
with handrail and rope ladder)
The cost to construct these works was estimated to be
£2,490. I’m not quite sure how the 12’x2’ weapon-slits in this post fit in with
the above specification.