Cold War Heavy Anti-aircraft gun site, 330m and 220m north east of Halls Green Farm

Reasons for Designation

The archaeological remains of the Cold War are the physical manifestation of the global division between capitalism and communism that shaped the history of the late 20th century. Of the many monument classes that characterise this period Heavy Anti-aircraft (HAA) Batteries formed an integral part of the United Kingdom's anti-aircraft defences, and are an example of how the early Cold War defence strategy looked back to World War II for its inspiration. It was a system designed to counter the perceived contemporary Soviet nuclear threat, comprising manned turboprop bombers carrying atomic bombs to attack major conurbations. By the mid-1950s advancing technology, in the form of fast jet bombers, the development of the hydrogen bomb, and the threat of long- range rockets had rendered the system obsolete.

Post-war HAA Batteries, grouped around the major conurbations and armament producing areas, formed part of an elaborate anti-aircraft defence system. This also included radar stations, the Royal Observer Corps, interceptor aircraft, Anti-aircraft Operations Rooms and Light Anti-aircraft batteries. There are two principal types of post-World War II batteries: those for the smaller calibre 3.7-inch guns, and those for the heavy 5.25-inch guns. The smaller calibre sites usually include four emplacements arranged in a shallow arc with the guns mounted in each on central holdfasts. The 5.25-inch emplacements are far more elaborate, with a deep pit beneath each gun, housing the powerful hydraulic systems needed to absorb the recoil from the shells and the automated loading systems. Associated with both types of battery are gun stores, standby generator buildings, command posts, structures or hard standings for gun-laying radar and predictors, domestic accommodation and other minor features. Some are associated with contemporary Anti-aircraft Operations Rooms.

Following a comprehensive survey and assessment of Cold War monuments in England, the location and type of each post-war HAA battery is known. During World War II nearly 1,000 anti-aircraft gun sites were built, of which 192 were selected for retention as the `Nucleus Force'. By 1950 the scheme had been reorganised to cover three key areas; Forth/Clyde, Mersey/Midlands and London/South East - this scheme was known as `Igloo' and comprised 78 sites, 54 of which had guns permanently mounted. However, a year later, in response to fears about the Soviet Union's aggressive intentions, heightened by the outbreak of the Korean War, 683 HAA batteries were listed in a mobilisation plan. These represented a mixture of retained or reoccupied wartime sites, often with new additions, and sites built in greenfield locations.

Any HAA battery, constructed after 1945, which has significant surviving remains, including its gun pits, is considered to be of national importance.

The Cold War Heavy Anti-aircraft gun site 330m and 220m north east of Halls Green Farm survives well, retaining the principal features which illustrate both its purpose and its method of operation. Based on present evidence, LN70 is thought to be one of only about eight such sites to remain in such a complete condition from the total number of batteries in the `Igloo' deployment. The `Nucleus Force' gun sites retained from World War II have been similarly depleted (only about 31 from the original complements of 193 survive in good condition). LN70 therefore provides a rare and valuable insight into the development of anti-aircraft measures in the immediate post-war period. It remains a significant visible indication of the nature of Britain's defence against the atomic threat in the early stages of the Cold War.

Details

The monument includes the standing and buried remains of a Cold War Heavy Anti-aircraft battery (gun emplacements, generator block, a connecting section of the access road and a control room) located on the north eastern side of the hamlet of Halls Green, to the north of the Epping Road (B181). It lies within two separate areas of protection.

The battery, documented in War Office records as `LN (London North) 70 Tyler's Cross', was constructed on a greenfield site and became operational in 1949- 50. It was listed as part of the London/South East section of the national defence plan, known as `Igloo', in 1951, and appears to have been retained until the national anti-aircraft battery system was stood down in 1955.

Although the site was not permanently equipped with weapons, the battery maintained positions for four 3.7-inch guns, arranged at intervals of about 12m to form a shallow arc at the northern end of the complex. These emplacements survive largely intact, each one surrounded by an octagonal concrete wall and linked to an access road running along the southern side of the array. Remains of wooden ammunition racking survive in some of the internal recesses within the emplacement walls and spigot acceptance rings remain visible in the floors of the emplacements indicating the presence of the central holdfasts prepared for the guns.

The standby generator block is situated some 60m to the west of the eastern gun emplacement. This reinforced concrete building measures approximately 7sq m and 3m high. It formerly contained the plant which provided electricity to the guns and operational systems, making the site independent of the national power supply. The single room, entered through a double door in the southern elevation, was ventilated by a series of rectangular holes below the ceiling and three larger vents in the eastern wall, all of which were probably covered by metal cowls (now absent). Rows of metal hooks around the outer roof line suggest that the building could be disguised with camouflage netting. The intervening section of the access road, which connects the generator block with the emplacements, has its original surface visible and contributes to understanding the layout of the site; this is included in the scheduling.

The access road continues beyond the generator building, curving to the south east and then extending some 260m southwards towards the entrance to the site on Epping Road. The control room lies to the east of the access road some 130m to the south of the generator block in a separate area of protection. This building, a reinforced concrete structure measuring some 8m by 11m, is divided into two rooms which housed the command post for the coordination of the guns. There are two entrances, one for each room, and a single window which could have been sealed with steel shutters.

All fences and fenceposts are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

29473

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals
Dobinson, C, 'Twentieth Century Fortifications in England' in The Cold War, , Vol. XI, (1998), 232
Other
List generated by EH Cold War Project, Cocroft, W, (2000)
NMR UID:1198555, Cocroft, W, Post-war Anti-Aircraft battery, Halls Green, (1998)
SMR No. 19151, Nash, F, Cold War HAA Gun Site, Halls Green, Roydon, (2000)
WO106/5912 (Copy, EH Cold War Project, War Office, Consolidated list of HAA Gun Positions for the full scale force, (1951)

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