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RAF Wartling GCI RADAR Site

RAF Wartling ROTOR bunker is an R3 GCI/CEW designated 2 level bunker and was opened in 1955, 2 years behind schedule. It was a completely new site as it was found during investigations of the WW2 era Happidrome radar site that the water table was too high and rendered building an underground structure impossible. The underground structure was finally built at a suitable location a short distance away. It takes the form of a 2 level bunker made of 10 inch thick, tungsten reinforced concrete and designed to withstand armour piercing bombing. It was not proof against a direct hit from a nuclear weapon. The bunker operated in its radar capacity until 1964 when it was stripped out and placed on care and maintenance, its function was taken over by RAF Bawdsey in Suffolk. It sat in this state until 1976 when it was sold to the Marquis of Abergavenny, and at which point the Guardhouse bungalow and Type 80 Radar building where converted into private residences.

The bunker remained in good condition at this point with working lights, and fittings. However over the intervening years the bunker suffered badly from vandalism and theft and water ingress (which completely flooded the lower level). Things carried on this way until 1996 when a failed attempt at pumping out the water was undertaken – this was abandoned when it became apparent that the pumps where not up to the job. The pumping was re-attempted by Subbrit (this time successfully) in 2004 and some 2.75million litres of water were pumped out of the bunker. It was thought that the bunker would be left to flood again and was sealed accordingly, however the land owner is interested in preserving it and indeed it is an interesting site as it is one of only a few accessible ROTOR bunkers that is still in its original configuration as many were found subsequent uses. As a result of this a small contingent of individuals from Subbrit and KURG undertook to perform some remedial works, not to restore the bunker, but rather to stop it deteriorating further.

These works include:

- Sealing up all water leaks where possible (the largest being the demolished cable shaft)
- Install some pipes to enable future pumping when all leaks are sealed
- Some electric lights to enable visits in the future
- Making good holes in the floor and restoring walkways to improve access
- Installing a new vent shaft on the cable shaft to improve air flow
- General tidy up to enable site study.
- Improve security with new locks and doors

All this has been completed in the main part by the end of 2011 with only some small projects to continue in 2012.