Today's Object of the Week is the remains of a North East radar station, which is of national importance.
The Chain Home Low Radar Station in Craster, Northumberland, is a physical reminder of wartime tensions and fears and the need for a national defence system, which resulted in the construction of a chain of radar stations to protect Britain's coast.
Chain home low stations had two principal buildings: an operations building bearing the aerial platform that supported the antennae that was once mounted upon it; and a separate engine room.
Built in 1941, the Craster Second World War radar station remains intact, with its two principal buildings and original room fittings which include a generator bed, cable ducts and evidence of power transmission.
It functioned as a small, low cover coastal radar station designed to detect and monitor the movement of German shipping, in the light of their potential invasion of Britain in the early years of the Second World War.
The site comprised a transmitter and receiver (TXRX) block and a stand-by set-house, or power-house, to provide an emergency power supply.
Accommodation and service buildings (Nissen huts) were situated on the inland side of the heugh, and wider protection was provided by a series of gun posts.
The perimeter of the compound was defined by a series of barbed wire entanglements. The facility would have been powered by a mains electricity supply, which in this case might have been provided from the village via underground cables.
It continued in operation until July 1944, after which it was used to house Italian Prisoners of War until 1947.
By 1964 the site had been largely cleared leaving only the operational and generator building standing.
The site has this week been highlighted by Historic England in its annual round-up of remarkable historic gems which have been added to the National Heritage List for England over the past year. Chain Home Low Radar Station at Craster is listed at Grade II.
The stations provided early warning of German aerial attacks, playing a crucial role in the defence of the country during the Battle of Britain and changing the course of the Second World War.
Read about some previous Objects of the Week here:
- What's the story behind this haunting structure, and how has County Durham landscape been transformed?
- The history behind this rather unassuming water fountain in Darlington
- How this mound of earth near Darlington helped decide the fate of County Durham
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Though more than 200 radar stations existed during the Second World War, only 75 of them were either coastal defence or ‘chain home low’ stations - and the Craster station is one of only eight that survive in a complete or near-complete condition.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England said: “We’ve examined and protected some amazing sites this year, which together give us a window into our rich and varied historic environment.
"The festive period is a great time to find out more about the historic places all around us. I encourage everyone to explore the heritage on our doorsteps and to add what they discover to our Missing Pieces Project for everyone to see and enjoy.”
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