Airfield structure identification

This is the only place I can think to post this picture.
I need some help identifying a 'structure' at RAF Byley/Cranage. It run soff the surroundign coutnry labne with a gate in the perimiter fence. The road in is about 30-40 feet long, and the circle itself is about 30 feet across, with the central area about 10-15 feet. There are no markings in the concrete, as would be expected for a large Ack-ack gun, so does anyone know what it is? There were three dotted around the perimiter of the airfield with no other tracks or buildings apparnetly associated with them.

[Gnomey]

It is probably one of the similar shaped things on this map, unfortunately it doesn't say what they are, the look like dispersal areas though.


Bomber Airfield, source on right click.

If only it were that simple Gnomey. Unfortunately the base of these 'magnifying glasses' is with the perimiter fence with the structure itself pointing just inside the fencing, at least three quarters of a mile from the runways, and half a mile from the dispersal areas. Besides, they just aren't big enough for that. We did wonder at Fuel dumps for the bowsers, but they wouldn't put them at the edge of the airfield where anyone could get at them. Once I can find the map we have I'll scan it in and highlight them.
After this there are some odd concrete brackets i need identifying.
Ah well, the quest goes on.

[the_historian]

Could they be permanent positions for Light Ack-Ack, like 40mm Bofors guns? I mean the mobile guns on a wheeled trailer, with stabilisers which can be screwed down to road level when parked. At the RNAD at Crombie, Fife, there is a wartime metalled track which runs around the northern perimeter of the camp, and we eventually worked out it was for the LAA batteries mentioned in the AA Command weekly disposition reports.
I can't imagine that there would be an Heavy Ack-Ack battery inside an airfield's perimeter, so Bofors guns are all I can think of.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Kitty

If only it were that simple Gnomey. Unfortunately the base of these 'magnifying glasses' is with the perimiter fence with the structure itself pointing just inside the fencing, at least three quarters of a mile from the runways, and half a mile from the dispersal areas. Besides, they just aren't big enough for that. We did wonder at Fuel dumps for the bowsers, but they wouldn't put them at the edge of the airfield where anyone could get at them. Once I can find the map we have I'll scan it in and highlight them.
After this there are some odd concrete brackets i need identifying.
Ah well, the quest goes on.

Who are you working on with this, or is it your own project?

[plant-pilot]

I have just spent a while scanning through my copy of the very comprehensive 'Britain's Military Airfields 1939-45 by David J. Smith', and although he does cover much of the airfield installation including runways, lighting, accommodation, training facilities, storage and defences, there is no mention of the 'spy glass' areas shown in the photo.

The airfield was used as a night fighter base for part of the war. Coud they be sites of some form of night navigation equipment?

Using a bit of deduction, I would say that they are unsuitable for vehicle or aircraft parking, too small for vehicle or aircraft turning circles and being on the perimeter could point to some form of defensive site.

Using mobile Bofors would have been logical as it would have meant that they could be moved around or deployed elsewhere whan needed. Hard standing to move into locations and to deliver ammo is a good idea, but it is likely that the guns themselves would be much 'happier' on the soft rather than hard standing, giving the 'spyglass' effect.

The main question is, if this was all so logical, why weren't more of them built at different airfields, making them more familiar and recognised?

Is it possible that they are a post war addition? The US ran the airfield from 1945 to 1957 and I'm sure they added things like radar instalations. Again, why aren't similar installations seen at other airfields that were run after the war by the US?

[the_historian]

Good points. About the Bofors; AA detachments were regularly redeployed (about every six months) either to other sites, or practice camps. HAA sites weren't always manned; some were left empty so that guns could either be resited strategically or reinforcements brought in. I'd imagine it would be the same with LAA; concrete hardstandings would negate the chance of gun trailers being bogged down when ordered to redeploy. The clincher would be ready-ammo lockers under all that scrub we can see.
Another (very slight!) possibility are "Hedgehog" sites; launchers for four inch rockets, arranged in batteries, and designed to scare the crap out of a Stuka pilot enough to throw his aim off. Only trouble with that is that they were normally set in batteries of 64 (8 x 8) under corrugated iron covers (like a modern free-range pig farm).
Other than that....no flamin' idea!

[von Poop]

What's the concrete like inside mate? I've seen pics of wierd emplacements for Northover Projectors and other such odd 'home guard' weapons that didn't seem entirely dissimilar, and I'd want the things as far away from the airfield as possible.

Thinking about it, LAA might be feasible...

Von T, there is no concrete in the centre of the thing as far as we could tell. It's just bloody strange. Having talked to two of the lads stationed there for part of the war they can't even remember what they were for. Sorry i haven't got a better picture of it, but I had to climb on top of a gate to get that angle.
However, about 300 yards to the left is one of the pillboxes on the edge of the airfield. The main area of the 'drome (barracks, airraid shelters etc) are beyond the trees at the back of the picture, with the runways beyond them. These were the hated Somerfeld tracking runways, which were sodding hairy seeing as this is where Vickers Wellingtons took off from on test flights from the factory which is slightly to the right of the picture and about 2 miles away.
As PP has pointed out it was home to a Nightfighter squadron during the Blitz, which then moved out and it was then home to the Central School of Navigation. I believe the factory continued to produce Wimpy's for as long as they were needed.
I'll find out the map tomorrow and scan in parts of it. And then post it with more photos if anyone wants them. May as well, it has now been bulldozed this week to make way for a gas storage plant on Prescott's say so. Git.

Spidge, totally mine and the PO's research. We found it last year when putting together the display for VE Day, and it has kind of grown into an obsession.

[spidge]

Hi Kitty,

Noticed this guy was asking about Cranage!

"Tony Harratt" tony.harratt@virgin.net<o></o>
Hi, friends, <o></o>
I'm researching the history of an RAF station situated near my home here in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">England</st1lace></st1:country-region>.
The station in question is RAF Cranage (which was also known as RAF Byley)
which is situated in <st1:City w:st="on">Cheshire</st1:City> south-west of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Manchester</st1lace></st1:City>.
One of the units stationed there in 1944 was the USAAF 14th Liaison Squadron
which operated Stinson L5s.
I'm wondering if some of you guys could ask around your friends to see if anyone
served with 14th Liaison Squadron in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">England</st1lace></st1:country-region> in 1944 and was based at Cranage.
Any snippets of information appreciated
including photographs, details of aircraft with the unit, serving members
etc. On a similar tack - I'm also looking at RAF Hixon in Staffordshire
(just a little south of Cranage). RAF Hixon was used by various DC-3 units
including 27th Air Transport Group.
Once again, the request is for any information about this base, too.
Hixon was very close to Stone and was one of the nearest airfields
to the Combat Crew Replacement Centre.
Anyone visit there and care to share memories for a potential book/history?
Thanks for your indulgence. Anthony Harratt<o></o>
<o> </o>