Mackett’s Farm Ground Radar

During the historical period of World War II, an undisclosed radar installation was strategically located in the vicinity of Mackett’s farm near Arreton, with limited awareness among the general populace. The system that was first established in 1942 was not under the operation of the Royal Air Force (RAF), but rather manned by the army, namely the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

The system comprised of two mobile lorries equipped with radar apparatus, strategically stationed in the vicinity of Arreton. These lorries were responsible for providing support to the Gun Operations Rooms located in Newport and Fareham. Their primary function was to detect and alert the presence of any imminent enemy raids, thereby enabling the anti-aircraft guns to be prepared with accurate information regarding the altitude, distance, and velocity of the approaching German strike force.

The operational capacity of this system encompassed an approximate radius of 45 miles, providing operators with a sufficient timeframe to establish a strategically effective defensive barrier. By forcing the German forces to ascend to higher altitudes, the system effectively limited their precision, hence diminishing the potential impact of their attacks.

Over time, it became necessary to relocate the arrays to a secure location, away from the vulnerable vehicles that were susceptible to potential attacks. Subsequently, the primary machinery was relocated to a structurally enduring facility situated underground at Macketts’s property. Nonetheless, the 32 arrays were strategically positioned throughout the terrain, ensuring that a significant portion of them remained inconspicuously concealed at lower altitudes.

• http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A612334
• http://www.portsdown-tunnels.org.uk/surface_sites/haa_guns_p3.html