Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
The map below shows the approximate location of the stations making up the UK 'Chain Home' network. Further details on each station is contained in the table below, click on the number in the map to take you to relevant details.
For a full list of known UK Radar Stations click here.
No | Name | Details |
1 | Bawdsey | This was the site of the first CH station and was involved in the early development work on the system. By January 1941 this was station 26 with an Emergency Alternative MRU being proposed at Loftmans (26M) but it is not known if this was completed at the moment. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. |
2 | Canewdon | By January 1941 this was station 22 with an Emergency Alternative MRU being proposed at Cedars (22M) but it is not known if this was completed at the moment. |
3 | Dunkirk | By January 1941 this was station 02 with an Emergency Alternative MRU at Cutballs (02M). |
4 | Swingate (Dover) | By January 1941 this was station 04 with an Emergency Alternative MRU at Hollingbury (04M). |
5 | Dymchurch | This was originally called Newchurch with construction underway in January 1941 as station 73 as an Intermediate CH station but the name was later changed to avoid confusion with the nearby airfield of the same name. |
6 | Rye | By January 1941 this was station 05 with an Emergency Alternative MRU at Harvey (05M). During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve |
7 | Pevensey | By January 1941 this was station 07 with an Emergency Alternative MRU at Chilley (07M). During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. In October 1945 it was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
8 | Poling | By January 1941 this was station 08 with an Emergency Alternative MRU at Angmering Park (08M). |
9 | Ventnor | By January 1941 this was station 10 with an Emergency Alternative MRU was proposed at Paradise (10M). |
Worth Matravers | See CHL page | |
10 | St Lawrence | During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Remote Reserve. |
11 | Southbourne | By January 1941 this was under construction as station 10A with short masts |
12 | Ringstead | By January 1941 this was was under construction as station 12 and came into service in 1942. |
13 | Branscombe | By January 1941 this was 'Advance' CH station 13 but it was planned to be upgraded to CH. |
14 | West Prawle | By January 1941 this was 'Advance' CH station 14 but it was planned to be upgraded to CH. A CHL was also set up here as station 14A but was withdrawn when Kingswear was ready. In October 1945 it was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
15 | Downderry | By January 1941 this was 'Advance' CH station 15 but it was planned to be upgraded to CH, the upgrade being completed 1942/43. By October 1945 it was also a CHEL station and was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
16 | Dry Tree | In October 1945 it was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
17 | Sennen | Sennen website, |
18 | Trerew | In October 1945 it was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
19 | Folly | |
20 | Hayscastle Cross | |
21 | Nevin | |
22 | Wylfa | |
23 | Rhuddlan | |
24 | West Beckham | By January 1941 this was station 32. An Emergency Alternative MRU (32 M) was proposed at Kelling but it is known at present if it was completed. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. |
25 | Stenigot | By January 1941 this was station 34. In October 1945 it was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance. One of the masts here is still used by the RAF to assess the aptitude of candidates to become aerial erectors. |
26 | Staxton Wold | By January 1941 this was station 36. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. This station is still in operation as a Remote Radar Head making it the oldest surviving radar station in the world. |
27 | Danby Beacon | By January 1941 this was station 38. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. |
28 | Dalby | By January 1941 this was station 79 |
29 | Bride | By January 1941 this was 'Advance' CH station 62 but it was planned to be upgraded to CH. |
30 | Crossmaglen | |
31 | Kilkeel | By January 1941 the site for station 78 had been chosen and it was commissioned into service in 1942/43. |
32 | Greystone | By January 1941 the site for station 61 (to be re-sited from Kirkistown Castle) had been chosen and it was commissioned into service in 1942/43. |
33 | Worth Matravers (Renscombe Down) |
The area around the Dorset village of Worth Matravers was home to a number of radar units, the main one being called Renscombe Down, it consisted of a Chain Home (CH) station with two 240ft. wooden masts on 'A-Site' and a Chain Home Low (CHL) station on the cliff top. During the early part of the war these stations were involved in development work under the auspices of the Telecommunications Establishment. This Establishment had been moved to Worth Matravers in May 1940 after firstly being evacuated to Dundee from its original location at Bawdsey Manor in Suffolk, where it was considered to too at risk from German attacks. Aircraft, for calibration duties were initially operated from Christchuch until facilities at Hurn became available. As the sites around Worth Matravers expanded they began to attract enemy attention and an alternative location was sought, resulting in a moved to Malvern in May 1942. The stations at Renscombe Down continued operation after the radar scientists left and the site was also used to assembly and training a number of radar and signals unit prior to their dispatch overseas. After the war, the sites were used by the RAF as a training station. |
34 | Castle Rock | By January 1941 this was 'Advance' CH station 59 but it was planned to be upgraded to CH, the upgrade being completed 1942/43. |
35 | North Cairn | By January 1941 this was 'Advance' CH station 60 but it was planned to be upgraded to CH. |
36 | Saligo | By January 1941 this was 'Advance' CH station 58 but it was planned to be upgraded to CH, the upgrade being completed 1942/43. |
37 | Drone Hill | By January 1941 this was station 42. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. In October 1945 it was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
38 | Great Bromley | By January 1941 this was station 24 with a proposed Emergency Alternative MRU to be located at Frating (24M). During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. |
39 | High Street | By January 1941 this was station 38. An Emergency Alternative MRU was located at Hinton (38M) |
40 | Douglas Wood | Provided long range cover for central Scotland and Dundee. By January 1941 this was station 45. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. |
41 | School Hill | Provided long range cover for the east coast of Scotland and Aberdeen. By January 1941 this was Station 46 as a CH station. |
42 | Hillhead | Provided long range cover for the north of Scotland. By January 1941 this was Station 47and was an Intermediate CH station but was intended to become a CH station. RCAHMS Entry |
43 | Loth | By January 1941 this was in the final approval stage as station 48, it was commissioned in 1942/43. |
44 | Thrumster | Provided long range cover for the extreme north of Scotland. By January 1941 this was Station 49 and was an 'Advance' CH station but was intended to become a CH station. RCAHMS Entry |
45 | Brenish | By January 1941 this could be the site proposed for station 85. It was commissioned during 1942/43 and by October 1945 it was retained for Flying Control purposes only |
46 | Broad Bay | By January 1941 this could be the site proposed for station 85. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as an ICH station and by October 1945 it was retained for Flying Control purposes only |
47 | Sango | By January 1941 this was 'Advance' CH station 57 but it was planned to be upgraded to CH. By October 1945 it was also a CHL station and was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
48 | Netherbutton | Provided long range cover for Orkney and The Shetlands. By January 1941 this was Station 50 as a CH station. In October 1945 it was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
49 | Whale Head | This was under construction in January 1941 and became operational in 1942. |
50 | Noss Hill | By January 1941 this was Station 54 and was an 'Advance' CH station but was intended to become a CH station. |
51 | Skaw | By January 1941 this was Station 56 and was an 'Advance' CH station but was intended to become a CH station, the upgrade being completed 1942/43. |
52 | Stoke Holy Cross | By January 1941 this was station 30 with an Emergency Alternative MRU (30M) proposed for Avenue but it is not known if it was completed at the moment. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. In October 1945 it was scheduled to be placed in Care & Maintenance |
53 | Ottercops Moss | By January 1941 this was station 40. During 1942/43 it was commissioned as part of the Buried Reserve. |
54 | Trelanvean |
This page was last updated on 11/09/20©