The hidden WW2 airfield
War-winning radar technology was applied to many thousands of aircraft at RAF Defford, near Croome Court, between Worcester and Pershore.
War-winning radar technology was applied to many thousands of aircraft at RAF Defford, near Croome Court, between Worcester and Pershore.
Described as more important than Bletchley Park to winning the Second World War, the 500-ace site was home to 3,000 personnel, hosting more than 100 aircraft at any time, to equip them with the ground-breaking airborne interception radar, which would prove much more effective at spotting targets once in enemy territory.
Hear memories of some of those that worked at Defford, from the drivers to the pilots, who share how testing experimental equipment never went without danger.
Jonathan Wootton tells Alistair Binney how the site sprang in to life following British raids in to Occupied France, stealing a number of German radar technologies, and Churchill wanting to move RAF equipment much further inland. A museum dedicated to what happened during the Second World War now exists on the site of RAF Defford at Croome Court.
Audio and image credit: Defford Airfield Heritage Group
