Contributor: R R

Milford Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had “locked on” to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 14/12/1939
Site: Milford-on-Sea
Military grid ref.: U708120
Unit: 342 Coy, 35 AA Regt (deployed this date as attached to 48 S/L Bn, R.E.)

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 15/2/1940
Site: Milford <526/66>
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (new deployment following relief of 342 Coy by 454 Coy)

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date 28/4/1940
Site: 526/66
Military grid ref: U708120
Generator: Lister
Projector: Mk.I 120cm
Sound Locator: Mk.III
Unit: 455 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (takes over from 394 Coy on this date)

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 12/5/1940
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E., returns from practice camp and relieves 455 Coy.

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 25/5/1940
Site: Milford, 526 Area
Military grid ref.: U708120
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 31/5/1940
Site: Milford, 526/25
Military grid ref.: U708120

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 25/6/1940
Site: Milford, 526/25
Military grid ref.: U708120

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 1/8/1940
Site: Milford, 526/25
Military grid ref.: U708120

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 29/9/1940 (same situation on 31/10/1940
Site: Milford, 526/25
Military grid ref.: U708120

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 17/12/1940
Site: Milford, TG01/25
Military grid ref.: U708120

search light location estimated from military grid ref.

Mogshade Hill Searchlight Site

This Search Light Location taken from military grid ref has been verified by archaeological field survey; various earthworks still survive, though they are covered in deep heather.

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had "locked on" to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 25/5/1940
Site: Mogshade Hill, 524 Area
Military grid ref.: U674301
Unit: 393 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 31/5/1940
Site: Mogshade Hill, 524/44
Military grid ref.: U674301

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 25/6/1940
Site: Mogshade Hill, 524/44
Military grid ref.: U674301

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 1/8/1940
Site: Mogshade Hill, 524/44
Military grid ref.: U674301

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 29/9/1940 (same situation on 31/10/1940)
Site: Mogshade Hill, 524/44
Military grid ref.: U674301

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 17/12/1940
Site: Mogshade Hill, TG06/44
Military grid ref.: U674301

Mount Pleasant Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had “locked on” to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 15/2/1940
Site: Mount Pleasant <526/41; at present at Bunkers Hill>
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (new deployment following relief of 342 Coy by 454 Coy)

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 28/4/1940
Site: 526/41
Military grid ref.: U733180
Generator: Guy
Projector: Mk.I 120cm
Sound Locator: Mk.III
Unit: 455 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (takes over from 394 Coy on this date)

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 12/5/1940
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E., returns from practice camp and relieves 455 Coy.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 25/5/1940
Site: Mount Pleasant, 526 Area
Military grid ref.: U733180
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 31/5/1940
Site: Mount Plesant, 526/21
Military grid ref.: U733180

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 25/6/1940
Site: Mount Pleasant, 526/21
Military grid ref.: U733180

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 1/8/1940
Site: Mount Pleasant, 526/21
Military grid ref.: U733180

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 29/9/1940 (same situation on 31/10/1940)
Site: Mount Pleasant, 526/21
Military grid ref.: U733180

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 17/12/1940
Site: Mount Pleasant, TG01/21
Military grid ref.: U733180

search light location estimated from Military grid ref.

Nelson Place Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had “locked on” to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 14/12/1939
Site: Nelsons Place
Military grid ref.: U905198
Unit: 342 Coy, 35 AA Regt (deployed this date as attached to 48 S/L Bn, R.E.)

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 15/2/1940
Site: Nelson Place <526/63>
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (new deployment following relief of 342 Coy by 454 Coy)

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 28/4/1940
Site: 526/63
Military grid ref.: U905198
Generator: Lister
Projector: Mk.VI 90cm
Sound Locator: Mk.III
Unit: 455 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (takes over from 394 Coy on this date)

equipped with W/T

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 12/5/1940
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E., returns from practice camp and relieves 455 Coy.

Ref. TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 25/5/1940
Site: Nelson’s Place, 526 Area
Military grid ref.: U905198
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 31/5/1940
Site: Nelson’s Place, 526/45
Military grid ref.: U905198

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 25/6/1940
Site: Nelsons Place, 526/45
Military grid ref.: U905198

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 1/8/1940
Site: Nelsons Place, 526/45
Military grid ref.: U905198

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 29/9/1940 (same situation on 31/10/1940)
Site: Nelsons Place, 526/45
Military grid ref.: U905198

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 17/12/1940
Site: Nelsons Place, TG01/45
Military grid ref.: U905198

Search Light location estimated from Military grid ref.

Netley Marsh Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had “locked on” to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.

War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 28/4/1940
Site: 526/22
Military grid ref: U772328
Generator: T.S.M.
Projector: Mk.VI 90cm
Sound Locator: Mk.III
Unit: 455 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (takes over from 394 Coy on ths date)

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 12/5/1940
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E., returns from practice camp and relieves 455 Coy.  (NB see below for transfer of this site to 524 Area)

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 25/5/1940
Site: Netley Marsh, 524 Area (note change from 526 Area – Battalion layout reoganised on a five Company Area on this date)
Military grid ref.: U772328
Unit: 393 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 31/5/1940
Site: Netley Marsh, 524/43
Military grid ref.: U772328

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 25/6/1940
Site: Netley Marsh, 524/43
Military grid ref.: U772328

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 1/8/1940
Site: Netley Marsh, 524/43
Military grid ref.: U772328

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 29/9/1940 (same situation on 31/10/1940)
Site: Netley Marsh, 524/43
Military grid ref.: U772328

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2262 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 17/12/1940
Site: Netley Marsh, TG06/43
Military grid ref.: U772328

Location estimated from Military grid ref. search light

North Charford Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had "locked on" to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2318 – War Diary of 64 AA Bde, July-Dec 1941.
Date: 18 & 28 Nov 1941
Site: MPB/6 (previously MP08/7)
Miltary grid ref.: U623399

Search Light location estimated from Military grid ref.

Ower Farm Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had “locked on” to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 15/2/1940
Site: Ower <526/34>
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (new deployment following relief of 342 Coy by 454 Coy)

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 28/4/1940
Site: 526/34
Military grid ref.: U909218
Generator: Lister
Projector: Mk.V 90cm
Sound Locator: Mk.IX
Unit: 455 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (takes over from 394 Coy on this date)

equipped with W/T

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 12/5/1940
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E., returns from practice camp and relieves 455 Coy.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 25/5/1940
Site: Ower Farm, 526 Area
Military grid ref.: U909218
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 31/5/1940
Site: Ower Farm, 526/44
Military grid ref.: U909218

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 25/6/1940
Site: Ower Farm, 526/44
Military grid ref.: U909218

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 1/8/1940
Site: Ower Farm, 526/44
Military grid ref.: U909218

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 29/9/1940 (same situation on 31/10/1940)
Site: Ower Farm, 526/44
Military grid ref.: U909218

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 17/12/1940
Site: Ower Farm, TG01/44
Military grid ref.: U909218

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2290 – 47 AA Bde, 1941.
Date: 13/9/1941
Site: Ower, TG01/82
Military grid ref.: U909218
Unit: 392 Btty, 48 S/L Regt, R.A.

Search light location estimated from Military grid ref.

Plaitford Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had “locked on” to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.

Date: 22/10/1941
Site: Plaitford, TG01/12
Military grid ref.: U716396
Generator: Lister
Projector: 90cm
Sound Locator: Mk.III
Unit: 438 Btty attached to 48 S/L Bn, R.E., under command of 392 Btty, to relieve ‘A’ Tp, 392 Btty, who are away for training.

Date: 19/11/1941
Unit: Tp of 392 Btty, 48 S/L Regt, R.A., return from Regimental Training School and relieve 438 Btty.

Search Light location estimated from Military grid ref.  Appears to replace the site at Wellow.

Sandleheath Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had “locked on” to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2318 – War Diary of 64 AA Bde, July-Dec 1941.
Date: 18 & 28 Nov 1941
Site: MPB/11 (previously MP08/8)
Miltary grid ref.: U556350

Search Light location estimated from Military grid ref.

Sowley House Searchlight Site

WWII searchlights formed part of a system of aircraft detection linking locator devices, searchlights, and antiaircraft (AA) guns. The locators sent electronic information to the lights and guns, which in turn tracked the target. Once a locator had “locked on” to an enemy aerial target, the concept was for both lights and guns to be trained on the target so it could be nearly simultaneously illuminated and then destroyed. For this to system to work successfully it required a whole network of searchlights and AA batteries across the country. The New Forest was well covered by searchlights and AA batteries, due to the open ground available and the proximity to large urban areas that were on the front line of the conflict for many years between the fall of France and the build-up to D-Day. Even after D-Day both played an important role in defending against V1 flying rockets.

Many of these sites can still be seen as echoes in the New Forest landscape, but just as many have been removed and leave no trace. Work in the war diaries has led us to be able to accurately map their locations and density across the New Forest.
War diaries will often record little more than codes, locations, daily activity, movements and interactions with other units whilst others can be much more descriptive, with daily reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. The diaries do not usually contain information about particular people: they are unit diaries, not personal diaries. Many maps and plans were included in the original diaries but some confidential material was removed before the files were made available. This accounts for the absence of some appendices referred to in many of the diaries. You can explore the war diaries through the National Archives.

The War Diary references for this site follow below:

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 15/2/1940
Site: Sawley [sic] <526/36>
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (new deployment following relief of 342 Coy by 454 Coy)

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 28/4/1940
Site: 526/36
Military grid ref.: U815159
Generator: Lister
Projector: Mk.V 90cm
Sound Locator: Mk.IX
Unit: 455 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E. (takes over from 394 Coy on this date)

equipped with W/T

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 12/5/1940
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E., returns from practice camp and relieves 455 Coy.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/3066 – War Diary of 48 S/L Bn, R.E., 1939-41.
Date: 25/5/1940
Site: Sowley House, 526 Area
Military grid ref.: U815160
Unit: 394 Coy, 48 S/L Bn, R.E.

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 31/5/1940
Site: Sowley House, 526/35
Military grid ref.: U815160

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 25/6/1940
Site: Sowley House, 526/35
Military grid ref.: U815160

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 1/8/1940
Site: Sowley House, 526/35
Military grid ref.: U815160

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 29/9/1940 (same situation on 31/10/1940)
Site: Sowley House, 526/35
Military grid ref.: U815160

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2267 – War Diary of 35 AA Bde, 1939-40.
Date: 17/12/1940
Site: Sowley House, TG01//35
Military grid ref.: U815160

Ref.: TNA:PRO WO 166/2290 – 47 AA Bde, 1941.
Date: 13/9/1941
Site: Sowley, TG01/81
Military grid ref.: U815160
Unit: 392 Btty, 48 S/L Regt, R.A.

The name of this site indicates it was on the west side of the stream from Sowley Pond as opposed to the east where a HAA emplacement was situated.  It may well be the same Search light site later called Pitts Deep.