Defence of Britain Archive
Council for British Archaeology, 2002. (updated 2006) https://doi.org/10.5284/1000327. How to cite using this DOI
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- ADS Collection: 324
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000327
- How to cite using this DOI
Battle Headquarters situated overlooking Sumburgh Airport. Most of the structure is totally concealed beneath the ground, with only the concrete stairway down to the building and the observation room visible on the surface. There are twelve steps leading down from the entrance which is almost flush with the ground. There are then three rooms to pass through before emerging at the command post, which has three observation slits on each side measuring 1m in length and 0.13m in height. They are divided by iron slats. There is also an escape hatch to the SW of the command post which measures 0.67m x 0.51m. The post itself measures 3.86m x 2.73m (externally) and the entrance way measures 4.03m x 1.4m. The command post is built 0.92m higher than the other rooms so that there was a clear view for 360 degrees. The Battle Headquarters building's function was the coordination of the airfield's defence. The building would only be occupied during an attack. The design of this structure was of the 11008/41 type, which was the most common.
(Source: Field Visit 1996/08)
| Official Name | RAF Sumburgh |
|---|---|
| Type of site | BATTLE HEADQUARTERS (11008/41) |
| Location | Scatness, approx. 300m S of the control tower of Sumburgh Airport. |
| Area |
Dunrossness, Shetland Islands, Scotland |
| Grid reference |
HU 3920 1038
(Scale: 1:10000
, 1971)
|
| Period | WW2 |
| Condition | Good |
| Materials | Earthwork, Reinforced Concrete |
| Threats |
Type: Development (Medium Term) Detail: Site threatened by housing development. |
| Recorder | Purdy, Anna (Shetland Amenity Trust) |
| Photographs |
(3) - site and exterior views (1 DIGITISED). |
| DOB site reference: | S0013654 |
| Associated Identifier | Scottish NMR (ref: HU31SE) Shetland SMR (ref: 4552) |
| Reference |
1945 Location Plan of Sumburgh Area Drg No. LK1/1/45 |
| Event |
Construction, In the period 1940 1945 Field Visit, During 1996/08 Field Visit, During 1996/08 |
