The Second World War had a major impact on the landscape of
Britain.
Military sites and buildings had to be swiftly established, among
which
were airfields, pillboxes, anti-aircraft gun emplacements, stop
lines,
searchlight positions and radar installations. |
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The subsequent “Cold War” years brought their own distinctive
architecture into the
landscape, such as missile sites, nuclear bunkers, Royal Observer
Corps monitoring posts and regional seats of government. |
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The marshes at Exminster did not escape this necessary
intrusion into the environment, for here was sited a strategic RAF
radar station.
Developed during the 1930s, radar has played a crucial role in the
defence of Great Britain since the beginning of the Second World
War.
At the start of the war a series of radar stations was established
along the east and south coasts, known as Chain Home (CH)
radar. |
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Systems that could detect low-flying aircraft soon followed —
Chain Home Low (CHL) and Chain Home Extra Low (CHEL).
However, such radars had limitations; they were early-warning
systems, and were not particularly effective once enemy aircraft
had crossed the coast, or at night.
To this end new technology was developed in the form of Ground
Controlled Interception (GCI) and was brought swiftly into
action.
GCI could be successfully used at night, was able to
track enemy incursions, and could direct RAF pilots accurately on
to their targets.
A GCI station was established on Exminster Marshes in 1941,
working closely with Fighter Command’s airfield at RAF Exeter. |
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This was Exminster’s wartime secret, its role known only to a
few.
At first RAF Exminster was a mobile unit, operating from lorries
and trailers.
It then passed though a more permanent, intermediate phase until,
in 1943, it reached what was known as the Final, or Fixed,
stage.
A brick and concrete operations block was built,
and nearby a standby generator house was constructed.
Search radars, a height-finding radar and equipment that could
identify friend from foe were installed in the fields adjoining
the main site.
RAF Exminster operated throughout WWII and periodically during
the
subsequent Cold War era, until the Air Ministry disposed of the
station’s assets in 1959. |
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Throughout the country many buildings and equipment of this
type
have disappeared through decay, neglect, or the need for
alternative uses for their sites. At Exminster, however, several
former RAF buildings and structures still exist.
The older buildings seen today on the Lion’s Rest business
estate
and the small, brick-built structures in the fields beyond are the
remnants and reminders of the Final GCI.
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Military presence in the landscape is often controversial and its
architecture
is not to everyone’s taste, but the RAF’s occupancy of a part of
Exminster Marshes has added
an important chapter to the area’s history, and – in that some of
the former radar buildings are now
put to industrial and office use – has unwittingly contributed to
Exminster’s present economy.
The cache is at N 50° 40.ABC, W 003° 28.DEF
Where :--
| A= RAF Exminster reached it's fixed stage in
###(Yx2) |
| B= The station's assets were disposed of in
###($-1) |
| C= The CGI station was established on Exminster Marshes
in #C## |
| D= B/2 |
| E= The station's final stage was reached in
##E# |
| F= B+C-10 |