NHER 54688 (Monument record) - Dispersed group of World War Two structures providing a radar/radio function for Hethel Airfield (NHER 9522)

April 2012. Norfolk NMP.
A dispersed group of World War Two structures, which probably provided radar and/or radio communications for nearby Hethel Airfield (NHER 9522), are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S4) around High Common Farm, Wreningham. The site is centred on TM 1423 9933.
At TM 1418 9958 is an isolated structure surrounded by a square blast walled enclosure. It is hard to discern the structure properly on the aerial photographs, but it would appear to be a low tower-like construction, probably a Direction Finding (D/F) station, used for air traffic control and navigation by allied aircraft. A small hut is visible associated with this navigation site alongside the road. On aerial photographs from April 1942 (S1) the construction of this site is visible. An oblong area of hard standing or disturbed ground is visible within the centre of another field to the southeast at TM 1448 9918, with the faint traces of a track leading to it from the side of the field in July 1946 (S3). This is likely to represent the remains of another similar radio communications or radar structure. In the adjoining field to the west is a small rectangular concrete structure with a blast wall protected entrance. This remains relatively intact until at least 1970 (S4). The possible remains of a small earthen covered air raid shelter may also be visible at TM 1396 9930. Although the available aerial photograph coverage was not of sufficient quality to be certain about the identification. Given the proximity of the military structures it seems likely that this represents part of the military site, however it is feasible that it is a domestic shelter for the High Common Farm.
S. Horlock (NMP), 12 April 2012.