Canadian Bofors gun emplacement with Radar trailer

[Chris Abraham]

Another gem turned up about two years ago while out on the mountain bike. I came across the remains of a old concrete bunker type emplacement in the woods that was part of REME Bordon camp in Hampshire which was out of civilian hands going back long before WW2. Now managed by the council as the army pull out of Bordon i had the chance to look over the area. As well as finding this emplacement which turns out to be used for a Bofors gun, i also found fifty yards away a derelict wreck that turns out to be a radar truck. This wreck has been in the woods for many years recalled by many as being there as far back during the early 1950s. The Canadians were based in Bordon with their base workshops which just about still remain until about 1948 when they were taken over by SEME REME. The Canadians during WW2 manned all the AA installations in the area which covered Longmoor camp and its military railway. Finding a bit of equipment near a bunker emplacement of any type is quite rare especially after 75 years. If it was council owned land it would have been destroyed years ago. I have managed to get the radar trailer fenced off and maybe some work carried out on the emplacement to remove a tree or two that is growing near by who's roots would damage the structure. To add to the site, last year a German Bomb was discovered about 200 yards from the radar truck when workmen were digging drainage near the area. Although no account of the emplacement in action Bordon and the camp was bombed, just waiting for the AA crew to show up next. I believe the radar trailer is a No3 Mk2. I have seen one on the UK military vehicle circuit in a yard somewhere in much better condition.

[Chris Abraham]

Some more pictures.

[alamotex]

I suspect you are correct in identifying the radar trailer as being the British made AA Radar No 3 Mk 2. It would have been of even greater interest if it had been a chassis from the Canadian made AA Radar No 3 Mk 1 ( aka GL 3 (c) gunlaying radar APF unit). A chassis ident tag would show the country of manufacture. I am unaware of any APF radar units having been found in the UK.

[Chris Abraham]

I tried to find the chassis tag but couldn't find it. Would you know where it would be on such a vehicle, or failing that any features that would tell British from Canadian apart. Its been mentioned that its been there since as early as the early 1950s when REME was first there. The Canadians left in 1948.

[alamotex]

I am unable to advise just where the ident tag would be located on the chassis. However, I do suggest that you contact Alan Brock www.anti-aircraft.co.uk who is restoring a British built AA radar No 3 Mk 2. He would be the best source of information re army type AA mobile radars from that period.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Amazing find, Chris! I hope this is somehow saved or protected from furhter detoriation. I'm not sure it could be restored, but there can't be many of these left.

Here is a link with some info which you may find interesting:

"The Trailer APF (Accurate Position Finder), later sometimes referred to as Trailer, AA Radar No 3 Mk 1"
http://www.rcsigs.ca/index.php/CMP_Trailer_APF

"Radiolocation (Radar) Unit GL III(c)"
http://www.rcsigs.ca/index.php/Radio..._Unit_GL_III(c)

"Trailer ZPI (Zone Position Indicator), later sometimes called Trailer, AA Radar No4 Mk 1"
http://www.rcsigs.ca/index.php/CMP_Trailer_ZPI


"One of a series of photos showing the Canadian GL III(c) gunlaying radar. The photos are dated 26 Jan 1943 and show an early example of Radar (originally known as Radiolocation) equipment in then in use by 1 Canadian Radiolocation Unit. This photo specifically shows the electronics of the APF exposed for maintenance."