The Kent History Forum

Military History => Miscellaneous Military History => Topic started by: Brian Drury on December 03, 2022, 08:39:43 PM

Title: Harrietsham Zero station in WW2
Post by: Brian Drury on December 03, 2022, 08:39:43 PM
 I wrote a short piece for the Nov 2020 Harrietsham village magazine and thought it may be of interest to the members here.
The article starts on page 37 and runs through to page 44 so it’s not a short read.
The link is here:
https://harrietshamfishscheme.org/documents/November%202020%20page%20order.pdf (https://harrietshamfishscheme.org/documents/November%202020%20page%20order.pdf)
A pdf of the original is attached.
Title: Re: Harrietsham Zero station in WW2
Post by: stuartwaters on December 03, 2022, 09:29:12 PM
Hi there and welcome to the Forum. A very interesting article, thank you for posting it.
Title: Re: Harrietsham Zero station in WW2
Post by: grandarog on December 04, 2022, 10:28:00 AM
Great read .Thanks for posting. I remember reading some time ago that they were so well hidden they fooled even the top brass. Apparently there was a very sceptical Senior Army Officer that was assigned to do an inspection of one unit. The officer in charge met him at the Railway station and apologised for no transport but it was only a short distance so they could walk. After a short while he said to the Senior Officer "you look tired, lets rest up here for  a break".They sat on the edge of a sheep watering trough and were chatting when the SO said "how much further to your hidey hole" Smiling the young officer said " stand up and i will show you". Then grasping the end of the trough he tilted it up to head height to reveal a set of steps leading down into his Bunker. Needless to say the SO was most impressed.
Title: Re: Harrietsham Zero station in WW2
Post by: Brian Drury on December 05, 2022, 12:24:13 PM
Great read .Thanks for posting. I remember reading some time ago that they were so well hidden they fooled even the top brass. ........
Yes, some of the techniques for concealing these dugouts were extremely effective. The other Kent Zero station that Roy Russell often mentioned was, or is, in Brasted. This one is, I believe is yet to be found. The obvious location is Brasted Chart which I have spent many hours wandering around in but found no sign of it.
 
Title: Re: Harrietsham Zero station in WW2
Post by: grandarog on December 05, 2022, 01:23:49 PM
The Brasted one must have been super secret This is part of a FOI request response from the Ministry of Defence..in 2020'


Thank you for your email of 24 April 2020 requesting the following information: “I am interested in seeking the location of the Auxiliary Unit bunker or zero station that was operational during ww2 located in or near Brasted in kent.” I am treating your correspondence as a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). A search for the information has now been completed within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and I can confirm that no information in scope of your request is held.
Title: Re: Harrietsham Zero station in WW2
Post by: grandarog on December 05, 2022, 01:29:32 PM
There was a Nuclear Monitering Bunker at Brasted during the Cold War
Brasted ROC Post.
On the West side of Brasted Hill Road, 150 yards South of its junction with Pilgrims Lane.
DEMOLISHED.
A bracket for an extra insulator on a nearby telegraph pole probably served the post.
Opened in 1962 and closed in 1968.
Title: Re: Harrietsham Zero station in WW2
Post by: Brian Drury on December 05, 2022, 01:39:18 PM
The Brasted one must have been super secret This is part of a FOI request response from the Ministry of Defence..in 2020'

You can see the whole letter here:https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/660479/response/1576714/attach/2/20200522%20F.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
I have tried to find Dean Waters but without success. He posted a YouTube video on Hollingbourne (Harrietsham) here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb6ax5Di_uY&t=289s
Title: Re: Harrietsham Zero station in WW2
Post by: Brian Drury on December 05, 2022, 01:41:17 PM
The Brasted one must have been super secret This is part of a FOI request response from the Ministry of Defence..in 2020'

You can see the whole letter here:https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/660479/response/1576714/attach/2/20200522%20F.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1
I have tried to find Dean Waters but without success. He posted a YouTube video on Hollingbourne (Harrietsham) here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb6ax5Di_uY&t=289s
I shall try that agin:https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/660479/response/1576714/attach/2/20200522%20F.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1 (https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/660479/response/1576714/attach/2/20200522%20F.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb6ax5Di_uY&t=289s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb6ax5Di_uY&t=289s)