More information : ANTI AIRCRAFT GUN EMPLACEMENT. SRF
AA Woolwich Common Recorder- C. Urquhart. (1)
Documented. (2)
A Second World War Heavy Anti-aircraft Artillery battery known as ZS8, is visible on 1944 aerial photographs centred on TQ 4277 7732. Its associated domestic camp of Nissen-type huts, gun-laying radar and central command post are also visible. The battery appears to have originally consisted of four emplacements, which follow a design from March 1938, and was, according to official documents, armed with four 4.5-inch guns which were first fired in anger on 23rd August 1940. It was manned by 161 Battery of the 54th Royal Artillery Regiment in 1940, by 452 Battery of the 164th Royal Artillery Regiment in 1942, and by 579 Battery of the 155th (Mixed) Royal Artillery Regiment in 1943. The battery was upgraded to eight gun emplacements in 1944, probably as part of Operation Diver to combat the V1 flying bombs. This appears to have occurred in two phases which are reflected in the differing forms of the new emplacements. The site was retained as a Nucleus Force Headquarters Battery in 1946 by which point it had eight 3.7 inch guns. The whole site was completely levelled by 1955. (3)
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