RAF Broadwell, Oxfordshire. Dispersed Sites

Contractors camp must have been a very busy place as the airfield was started in 1942, opened in 1943, by June 1944 all hell was let loose. 48 hard stands, three runways of at least 2000yds x 50yds. All the infrastructure of drainage, electricity, water, then there are the airfield buildings, two hangars, a full living accommodation camps for 2000 men and women. So a massive task.
The camp is basically all Nissen huts, 16ft for accommodation and 24ft for a Y.M.C.A hut, possibly for meals and recreation. There was also an office for the Resident Engineer of the Air Ministry Works Dept.

1 Picket Post ´B´ ------ TB 1580/42.
2 Station Office -----------N 13400/41.
3 WAAF Latrine --------TB 228/43.
4 RAF Latrine -----------TB 228/43.
5 Operations Block ----PB ?
6 Interrogation & Office Annex N ?
7 Crew Briefing Room --N ?
N - Nissen TB Temporary Brick.

Building 6 Interrogation & Office Annex N ? (24ft wide and about 100ft long).
Returning crew would be interviewed and explain in as much detail of their flight. What they saw, what they did, weather, etc. and from all the information it would be coordinated and used to help in future flights.
Building 7 Crew Briefing room N ? (24ft wide and about 100ft long).
Before each operation, crews would come together and be shown their target or operation of the day and when that was over the crews then would split up and go to their respective departments, Pilots, Navigators, etc.
? means that the site plan does not show a building number.

Building 5 Operations Bloc TB ?. We could not enter as its locked up and an Owl and Bat sanctuary. I have seen pictures of the inside and they look very alike the ones I have produced from RAF Holmsley South. The owners very kindly walked us around the site. A very substantial building with strong walls and a reinforced roof. This buildings is very large and the plan does not give us a drawing No. which is a pity, it does help. I have been inside a few Operations Blocks and this one I believe is like RAF Holmsley South. I was allowed to enter that one after a very wet day and the roof was still dripping and there is no electricity or natural sun light. It was an Operations Bloc TB 2337/41 type and about the same size as this one. ? means that the site plan does not show a building number. Building 5 Operations Bloc TB ?. We could not enter as its locked up and an Owl and Bat sanctuary. I have seen pictures of the inside and they look very alike the ones I have produced from RAF Holmsley South. The owners very kindly walked us around the site.
A very substantial building with strong walls and a reinforced roof. This buildings is very large and the plan does not give us a drawing No. which is a pity, it does help.
I have been inside a few Operations Blocks and this one I believe is like RAF Holmsley South. I was allowed to enter that one after a very wet day and the roof was still dripping and there is no electricity or natural sun light.
It was an Operations Bloc TB 2337/41 type and about the same size as this one.
? means that the site plan does not show a building number.

This type of block is oblong with a corridor passage running all around, rooms are all on the outside. In the middle would have been a large area where planning could have taken place and a stage area where maps were be shown.

The aerial behind the block in this picture is from the days when it was a Seat of Government nuclear bunker for this Hampshire area.

1 Post Office Liang Hut -----------------------------------------734/44.
2 Picket Post ´A´ TB 1350/42.
3 A/Ms Latrines and Decontamination 1500/2000 TB 10851/42.
4 H.L. Tank 60,000gal 60ft Steel -----------------------------15410/41 (Braithwaite tank).
5 A/Ms Latrines 1500/1600 --------------------------------TB 10853/42.
7 Sergeants Mess ----------------------------------------------N 2612/42 & 4284/43.
8 CO´ s Quarters (5 officers)---------------------------------S 4632/42.
9 Officers Mess for 175 ---------------------------------------N 9029/41 & 4283/43.
10 A/Ms Dining Room for 1000 (two sittings 2000)---N 9028/41.
11 Fuel Compound 72´x54´ ---------------------------------Chain Link.
6 Officers showers 171/180 --------------------------------TB 9263/42
- Sergeants Showers 526/550 -----------------------------TB 9264/42
- Boiler House ---------------------------------------------------TB 9265/42

1 Picket Post T.B. 6502/43. 2 to 8 --Officers Quarters ----N 2965/42. 9 to 17 Sergeants Quarters -N 2965/42. 16 to 36 Airmen’s Quarters --N 2965/42. 37 Drg Room Block Type13 T.B. 9276/42. 38 S/gts & A/ms Latrines ----T.B. 9276/42. 39 "---------------" Ablutions ---T.B. 6502/42. 40 Officers Ablutions 25/32 -T.B. 9271/42. 41 "--------" Latrines " ------" --T.B. 9271/42. 42 Fuel Compound 72´x34´ Chain Link 9103/41. 44 to 48 Hut (Labour camp) Hall Huts.1 Picket Post T.B. 6502/43.
2 to 8 --Officers Quarters ----N 2965/42.
9 to 17 Sergeants Quarters -N 2965/42.
16 to 36 Airmen’s Quarters --N 2965/42.
37 Drg Room Block Type13 T.B. 9276/42.
38 S/gts & A/ms Latrines ----T.B. 9276/42.
39 "---------------" Ablutions ---T.B. 6502/42.
40 Officers Ablutions 25/32 -T.B. 9271/42.
41 "--------" Latrines " ------" --T.B. 9271/42.
42 Fuel Compound 72´x34´ Chain Link 9103/41.
44 to 48 Hut (Labour camp) Hall Huts.

On the left : -
37 Drg Room Block Type13 T.B. 9276/42.
38 S/gts & A/ms Latrines ----T.B. 9276/42.
39 "---------------" Ablutions ---T.B. 6502/42.
On the right : -
42 Fuel Compound 72´x34´ Chain Link 9103/41.

2 - 10 Sergeants Quarters ‘B’ 10Sgts N 2965/42.
11 - 15 Officers ‘B’ 4Off. 2 Servants ---N 2965/42.
16 - 34 Airmen 18 A/M ---------------------N 2965/42.
35 Fuel Compound 72’x34’ -Chain Link- 9108/41.
280 Officers Ablutions Type 25/32 -----TB 9271/42.
281 Officers Latrines Type 25/32 -------TB 9271/42.
282 S/gts & A/m Ablutions Type 13 ----TB 9276/42.
284 Drg Room Block Type 13 -----------TB 9276/42.

35 Fuel Compound 72’x54´ Chain Link 9102/41.
The only heating in the huts would have been a coal fire (or Coke). The airmen would draw coal once a week and you were allowed no more. It was very cold in winter in these huts.