URBEX - RAF Broadwell

07/04/24

Inspired by my trip to RAF Chedworth, another look at EDOB led me to explore the now disused RAF Broadwell. My first port of call was the group of buildings (No.1 Site) to the North-East of the airfield, however my excitement was short lived due to them being on private land and behind a locked gate plastered in signage stating how it was not a public footpath :(

I had to look elsewhere, heading to the site of the runways. I had noticed on Google Maps a building that was not labelled, turned out to be the control tower for the site!

RAF Broadwell operated from 1943 to 1947 under RAF Transport Command, housing No. 512 and 575 squadrons both flying the Dakota. This base participated in the D-Day assaults dropping paratroopers and towing gliders into France.

Image taken: Google

Information taken from atlantikwall.co.uk , a fantastic and extensive resource about this site worth checking out:
Full four bay bomb store.
Dispersed sites: -
Airfield Site. Hangars, Stores, Workshops, Armoury, M.T., Link Trainers, Guard Room and Fire Party, Etc.
Mess Site. Officers, Sergeants Mess's, Airman's Dining Room, Co's quarters, Etc.
Sick Quarters. A small hospital, Mortuary, Ambulance garage, Etc.
Communal Site. Squash Court, Gym., Picket Post, Etc.
WAAF Site. Quarters in Nissen Huts.
Five Living Sites. Nissen Huts for sleeping, Temporary Brick Ablutions and Latrines.
Sewage Disposal. Enough for 2,000 Officers and Airmen.
Bomb Store. Full
Men: 2,041.
WAAFS: 253.
Buildings:
Control Tower Watch Office for all Commands, 47Bldg No.,P.B. 343/43.
T2 Aircraft Shed, 23 & 86 Bldg No., T.B. 5653/41.

Stalactites and stalagmites were forming on both floors due to the the constant dripping from the ceiling, which surprised me as it seems a really well ventilated building as its right in the middle of a open field and has no windows or doors

Entrance to the main control room on the first floor and view out one of the windows. You can imagine what the room would have been like if you have seen Masters of the Air on Apple TV.

Some of the 'artwork' that is plastered over every surface in the tower :(