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Hunsdon's Underground Battle Headquarters
Battle Headquarters were designed to provide emergency
organisation of airfield defenses should the airfield come under attack. Hunsdon's BHQ (building design 11008/41) was different
in location aspects from nearby Sawbridgeworth airfields BHQ in that it afforded excellent direct views across the airfield.
Sawbridgeworths BHQ is located on the edge of woodland and seems to miss the outlook across its former flying field, although
what the view was like during the War can only be imagined. This was the 5th attempt of capturing Hunsdons BHQ on
film, and due to the long dry summer here this year (2005) the water level has dropped enough to gain access to at least the
upper level. It must be stressed that it not safe to enter the lower level even though the water is only about 2 to
3 foot deep inside. All sorts of debris must lay under the water and would be dangerous to enter fully.
The building would have consisted of a main lobby, office, sleeping quarters,latrine,mess
room for meals and the observation room .
Place mouse cursor over images and click to enlarge.
The Observation room , this is well above ground level ,
the observation slit is about 4 inches wide and affords all round views of the airfield, the roof is about 2 feet thick.
The Emergency
escape exit, viewed from the roof of the Observation room,
The Escape Ladder from inside the Observation room.
Looking up at the reinforced roof and the Observation slit
Observation slit from The inside
Light fitting to the left of the emergency escape ladder.
Under the light fitting in the previous
picture is the passage to the Observation Room, this was the main access to that room from the rest of the BHQ.
The Main access stairwell
to the BHQ, the last few steps are buried under rubble .
The Entrance from the stairwell
to the BHQ, the entrance doorway would have been a couple of feet deeper but rubble and silt over the years have reduced the
size.
The view inside the entrance lobby, 2 other doorways
are visible to the left. Steel door led to the main access to the observation room.
Hunsdon 4
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