Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A small underground bunker exists in woodland c. 150m south of Ringlestone Road. The bunker was a secret transmitting and receiving station that, in the event of a German invasion, would have sent information from spies to the British authorities.

Monument Types

• AUXILIARY HIDE (Modern - 1939 AD? to 1945 AD)

Full description

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A small 'zero' station exists in woodland c. 150m south of Ringlestone Road, Hollingbourne. During the Second World War, in preparation for a possible German invasion, a network of secret hides was constructed to enable spies to gather information on German troop movements etc, and pass these to the British authorities. The network consisted of control centres, used while the system was being established, linked to secret hides, known as 'zero' hides, that would only be used in the event of invasion. Each 'zero' hide was operated by 3 women ATS operators. Secret information would be brought to them by agents and then transmitted from the bunker's radio.

The Hollingbourne station is typical in construction, being essentially an underground nissen hut - built on a concrete base with a corrugated iron roof. It was entered by a concealed trapdoor.The first room entered was filled with weapons and ammunition and the entrance to the radio room was hidden so that it might not be discovered of the Germans found the bunker. The radio room also contained bunks and food for the operators. Power was provided by batteries and pipes allowed air into the bunker. Another room contained a chemical toilet and an access to an emergency exit tunnel that emerged 30 m to the south.(1)

<1> Lenham Archaeological Society, 2006, Discovering Ancient Lenham|: Volume One (Serial). SKE13573.

Sources and further reading