Monument record MDO28965 - Second World War heavy anti aircraft battery, Arne Heath, Arne

A group of structures, trackways and earthworks are visible on aerial photographs of Arne Heath, taken between 1942 and 1947. They are considered likely to be the remains of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft artillery battery formerly located here and was in operation between 1940-41.

The site of a Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery on the south-west side of Poole Harbour, north of Salterns Copse. It was designed to protect the Royal Naval Cordite factory at Holton Heath. It was operational between 1940-1 when it was installed with two 3-inch guns and GL radar,and was manned by troops from the 328th Battalion of the 104th Royal Artillery Regiment. There is no sign of the battery on the 1947 air photo, and the area is now afforested. Ground photo with archive report. <1>

A group of structures, trackways and earthworks are visible on aerial photographs of Arne Heath, taken between 1942 and 1947 <3-5>. They are considered likely to be the remains of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft artillery battery formerly located here. A possible military practice area located 430m to the north-west (MDO28964) may be associated with this site. These features were digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset). They are not visible on the most recent comprehensive imagery available to the project <6>, the area now being under forestry plantation.

<1> Dobinson, C S, 1996, Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 1. Anti-aircraft artillery: England's air defence gunsites, 1914-46, 375 (Monograph). SDO11874.

<2> English Heritage, English Heritage Alternative Action Report, 11-Jan-2000 (Scheduling record). SDO18279.

<3> Royal Air Force, 21-JUN-1942, RAF/HLA/623 6049-50 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12764.

<4> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 F136 6396-97 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12759.

<5> Royal Air Force, 17-JAN-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1934 F36 1019-20 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12755.

<6> Google Earth, 2013, Google Earth 2013 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12686.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1408744 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 20 2023 4:14PM