Sinah Common Gun Site Multi-cache

This is a simple offset multi placed near the site of a memorial to the Anti Aircraft Gunners who lost their lives in April 1941 while defending Hayling Island and Portsmouth against German air attack. You may wish to spend some time looking around this interesting location and perhaps spare a thought for the men who lost their lives.

Allow about 20 minutes for this cache.

History
At the beginning of World War 2, it was recognised that Portsmouth would require significant defences against German air attack. Hayling Island, with its similar size, location and shape to Portsea Island, was used as a decoy to draw fire from important military targets. As part of this ruse, Special Fire sites were constructed around the island, filled with oil and then set alight to trick the bomber pilots into thinking Langstone Harbour was the Dockyard.

Sinah Heavy Anti Aircraft battery
Part of Hayling's defence scheme, this battery consisted of four gun emplacements armed with 4.5 inch naval guns. Initially manned by Royal Artillery Gunners, it suffered a direct hit during the night of 17th/18th April 1941 resulting in many injuries and fatalities and severe damage to the camp's buildings. The site remained out of action until December 1941.

The Memorial
Today, the site is a very well-preserved Ancient Monument. In 2008, English Heritage carried out a major project to stabilise the emplacement next to Sinah Lake which was at risk from subsidence, helping to preserve the monument for future generations. A plaque commemorating those who died hangs in one of the emplacements.

The cache
At the published co-ordinates you will find a plaque titled 'Lest we forget'. Obtain the following information:

• ABC = the number of the Battery
• DE = the number of the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment

To the left of the plaque is a bench that has been painted a distinct colour. What is that colour?

• If the colour is BLACK, F = 4
• If the colour is BLUE, F = 9
• If the colour is GREEN, F = 5
• If the colour is RED, F = 2

Move to waypoint 02 (N 50° 47.395′ W 1° 00.588′) where you will find a large information board.

• G = The number of letters in the first name of Ms Watson, pictured in 1942
• H = the number of girls wearing tin hats, pictured lying on the ground, in a photo just above the map

You can find the cache a short walk away at N50 47.(D-B)EG W001 00.H(C-A)F. The checksum for all 15 digits of the final co-ordinates is 50. Alternatively here is a geochecker. You are looking for a bison tube.