RAF Charmy Down (WWII)

Derelict Places

Help Support Derelict Places:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

krela

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 20, 2005
Messages
10,012
Reaction score
5,826
Location
Bristol, UK.
Charmy Down Airfield was a WWII fighter base used for squadron leader training and for night fighter squadrons.

There is a derelict but standing tower along with numerous accessible air raid shelters. Most of the other buildings are still standing but are used for agricultural purposes.

Unfortunately there's an illegal traveller camp right next to the site, so it's a bit of an uncomfortable explore as they *really* don't like strangers snooping around. There's also a huuuuuuuuge slurry heap running along the line of the runway which isn't too pleasant!

View attachment 46
View attachment 47
View attachment 48
View attachment 49

I grew up 1/4 mile away, and used to use the runway as a scrambling track. Aaaah memories. :)
 
Man, i learned to drive up there, along with a bunch of other people as well
Grew up in Bath
 
Battle HQ observation post and Control Tower.

cds1.jpg


The 1108/41 Battle Headquarters was recognized by a six foot square observation post three foot high standing above the ground with a 360 degree viewing slit. The rest of the building was usually underground, if not the substantial earth banking was placed on all sides.

The sunken section was entered by a stairway at the opposite end to the observation post. The observation post had it’s own escape hatch.

The building measured externally approximately 21 foot by 8 feet, and comprised an office, sleeping accommodation and a latrine. A member of the personnel would be a runner for use if the telephone communication ceased to operate.

The entrance to the Charmy Down Battle HQ is full of rubble, soil, nettles
and old bits of wooden board.

cds7.jpg


View from entrance.

cds8.jpg


There are two rooms of similar size.

cds6.jpg


Large chunky steps, ladder to escape hatch (blocked from outside),
opposite from the ladder is the doorway to the observation post.

cds3.jpg


Crap pic of the ladder and escape hatch.

cds4.jpg



Small corridor to the other room.

cds9.jpg


Entrance to air raid shelter, the Battle HQ entrance would have
looked pretty much identical.

cds2.jpg



UK control towers page on RAF Charmy Down.
http://www.controltowers.co.uk/C/Charmy_Down.htm

World war two airfields site, 233 pics.
http://worldwar2airfields.fotopic.net/c445432_1.html

Pillbox study group page on Battle HQs complete with plan.
http://www.pillbox-study-group.org.uk/battleHQpage.htm

b
 
Do you mean you can't see the pics? At one point Derelict Places had galleries but sadly this is no longer the case, I'll dig out my snaps of Charmy Down and edit the above post at some point so you can see what I'm prattling on about.

b
 
Do you mean you can't see the pics? At one point Derelict Places had galleries but sadly this is no longer the case, I'll dig out my snaps of Charmy Down and edit the above post at some point so you can see what I'm prattling on about.

b


Thought it was some WW2 deception to make all airfield buildings look like small red crosses in white boxes :mrgreen:

Phil
 

Latest posts

Back
Top