Wartime airfields near Harlow, Essex.

RAF Sawbridgeworth 2 Buildings & Structures.

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Entrance to the dispersal Shelter

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interior of the underground shelter in the aircraft dispersal

9098/41
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The Old Guardhouse, this was the main entrance to the airfield

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Air raid shelter, this is on the southern edge of the airfield.

Another shelter on the end of Sacombe Ash Lane
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Standby Generator Building to 15453/41
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Grocery Store to 14419/41
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Sleeping Shelter 11049/41

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Hidden amongst the undergrowth, another Pillbox Defence position

Pillbox on the Hadham/Sawbridgeworth road.
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likely to be a modified type FW3/22

The road barrier supports still in situ
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the barrier closed the public road across the airfield.

Underground Battle headquarters,
This building would have been used to co-ordinate the defence of the airfield, had it come under attack. It consisted of a stairway from ground level, leading down into a lobby. Straight on would have been a latrine. A left turn would take you into the office. Once in the office, straight on through the door in front of you, there were situated the sleeping quarters. A door to the right in the office, led to to Mess room. 
 
   A door on the right hand corner of the mess room would had led into the emergency escape ladder. Up three steps, and you would have arrived in the look out post. This section had a very thick re-inforced, oblong roof, but at ground level, a two inch wide observation slit ran all the way around. It is now flooded up to almost ground level, and no attempt should be made to enter it.

The Underground Battle Headquarters type 11008/41
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Entry stairs

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The emergency escape exit looking down from above

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The Observation post roof

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All that can be seen of the Battle HQ above ground, apart from the observation post roof

Apart from the various Pillbox defences that are dotted around the airfield, there remains an early version Spigot Mortar post. This would have been used in an anti tank role in defence of the site.

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Spigot mortar Position with the shelter at the rear

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Spigot Mortar Position with the ready use ammunition recess

RAF Sawbridgeworth page 3

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               ©2002-2009 Denis Sharp, 'wartime airfields.com'