Monument record TQ 97 SW 1259 - Ground Controlled Interception Station 46g

A Ground Controlled Interception station located at Appledore (TQ 962 306), called site 46G. Ground Controlled Interception (GCI) radar stations were developed by the Air Ministry from 1940 to detect, locate and track enemy aircraft and provide inland radar coverage of Britain. The stations worked in cooperation with local Fighter Sectors that had Airborne Interception (AI) radar fitted in its aircraft to enable the crew to accurately home in on targets. Appledore was operational by 28-MAY-1942. In summer 1942 Appledore was used for experiments into Fighter Direction radar. Fighter Direction was a form of long-range GCI radar able to reach the northern shores of France in order to aid British fighters on offensive attacks against German aircraft. Appledore used a modified Type 8 set (mobile GCI equipment) and by the end of 1942 Fighter Direction radar was fully operational. (1)
Aerial photography from 1973 shows that the station had been removed and the site given over to agricultural use. (2)

<1> Dobinson, C, 2000, Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 7. Acoustics and radar: England's early warning systems 1915-1945 (Bibliographic reference). SWX23709.

<2> Anderton, Michael J., 2000, Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two radar stations (Bibliographic reference). SWX22107.