Most Secret: The Hidden History of Orford Ness
Orford Ness was, for most of the twentieth century, a military research station so secret that nobody knew what went on there, and so remote that even now most people have never heard of it. Yet the contribution of its scientists, service and civilian, to the winning of the First World War, the Second World War and the Cold War places them on a par with the codebreakers of Bletchley Park.

At this highly atmospheric and often inhospitable location on the Suffolk coast, the Royal Flying Corps (later RAF) conducted crucial experiments and trials, some brilliant, others futile, on effective gunnery, accurate bombing and improved navigational aids. It was the venue for Watson Watt’s early work on radar and for Barnes Wallis’ improved Tallboy bomb. From 1953, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment used it as the testing range for British nuclear bombs. In 1967 the world’s most powerful radar station, COBRA MIST, was constructed for the US Department of Defense. Why it was closed down is just one of many Orford Ness mysteries.

Owned by the National Trust since 1993, Orford Ness is a National Nature Reserve of international significance. But its military history has proved no less important and its secrets highly intriguing. This book tells an incredible tale of ingenious, talented and brave men – and women – who operated with typically British patience and resourcefulness in often highly uncomfortable and, on occasions, fatal circumstances.

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Most Secret: The Hidden History of Orford Ness
Orford Ness was, for most of the twentieth century, a military research station so secret that nobody knew what went on there, and so remote that even now most people have never heard of it. Yet the contribution of its scientists, service and civilian, to the winning of the First World War, the Second World War and the Cold War places them on a par with the codebreakers of Bletchley Park.

At this highly atmospheric and often inhospitable location on the Suffolk coast, the Royal Flying Corps (later RAF) conducted crucial experiments and trials, some brilliant, others futile, on effective gunnery, accurate bombing and improved navigational aids. It was the venue for Watson Watt’s early work on radar and for Barnes Wallis’ improved Tallboy bomb. From 1953, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment used it as the testing range for British nuclear bombs. In 1967 the world’s most powerful radar station, COBRA MIST, was constructed for the US Department of Defense. Why it was closed down is just one of many Orford Ness mysteries.

Owned by the National Trust since 1993, Orford Ness is a National Nature Reserve of international significance. But its military history has proved no less important and its secrets highly intriguing. This book tells an incredible tale of ingenious, talented and brave men – and women – who operated with typically British patience and resourcefulness in often highly uncomfortable and, on occasions, fatal circumstances.

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Most Secret: The Hidden History of Orford Ness

Most Secret: The Hidden History of Orford Ness

Most Secret: The Hidden History of Orford Ness

Most Secret: The Hidden History of Orford Ness

Overview

Orford Ness was, for most of the twentieth century, a military research station so secret that nobody knew what went on there, and so remote that even now most people have never heard of it. Yet the contribution of its scientists, service and civilian, to the winning of the First World War, the Second World War and the Cold War places them on a par with the codebreakers of Bletchley Park.

At this highly atmospheric and often inhospitable location on the Suffolk coast, the Royal Flying Corps (later RAF) conducted crucial experiments and trials, some brilliant, others futile, on effective gunnery, accurate bombing and improved navigational aids. It was the venue for Watson Watt’s early work on radar and for Barnes Wallis’ improved Tallboy bomb. From 1953, the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment used it as the testing range for British nuclear bombs. In 1967 the world’s most powerful radar station, COBRA MIST, was constructed for the US Department of Defense. Why it was closed down is just one of many Orford Ness mysteries.

Owned by the National Trust since 1993, Orford Ness is a National Nature Reserve of international significance. But its military history has proved no less important and its secrets highly intriguing. This book tells an incredible tale of ingenious, talented and brave men – and women – who operated with typically British patience and resourcefulness in often highly uncomfortable and, on occasions, fatal circumstances.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780752491592
Publisher: The History Press
Publication date: 09/01/2013
Pages: 320
Product dimensions: 4.80(w) x 7.70(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Paddy Heazell served in the Royal Navy as a Russian translator. After reading history at Queens' College, Cambridge, he went into teaching, eventually becoming Headmaster of three schools. He has written extensively on a wide variety of subjects in educational journals and newspapers, including the Daily Telegraph, and appeared as an expert historian in various BBC broadcasts. Dick Strawbridge is an ex-army colonel who is passionate about military history. He is best-known for presenting It's Not Easy Being Green and Coast.

Table of Contents

National Trust Site Map 10

Foreword 11

Author's Note and Acknowledgements 14

Chapter 1 Setting the Scene 19

Orford Background 20

Visitors' Voices 24

Chapter 2 The First World War and the RFC conies to the Ness 26

Three Great Men of the Ness 36

Chapter 3 Wartime Pioneers 40

The Holder Contribution 40

The Zeppelin Menace 46

Night Flying 54

Hitting the Target 56

Chapter 4 Widening Horizons: RFC to RAF 61

The Butley Outstation 62

Auxiliary Forces 66

McKerrow's Contribution 68

The Orford Ness Railway 81

To Care and Maintenance 82

Chapter 5 Inter-War Years 84

Trials Resume 84

First of the Beams 87

'The Bomber Will Always Get Through' 96

Scientists Take Over 99

Radar Wins the Argument 115

The Watson Watt Legacy 123

Chapter 6 Pre-War Research 130

The Science of Bombing 130

Air Gunnery 137

Preparing for War 141

Chapter 7 The Research Station at War 145

The Shingle Street Myth 148

The Battle Comes to Suffolk 150

Lethality, Vulnerability and Ballistics 151

Off Duty on the Ness 168

Chapter 8 The Ness Post-War 178

RAF Orford Ness? 178

Bomb Ballistics and Firing Trials 179

Rockets 189

The Great Flood 191

Spark-Photography Research 197

Chapter 9 Atom Bombs Over Suffolk 200

AWRE Turns Suffolk Nuclear 200

The WE 177 Atomic Bomb 218

Hard Target Testing 222

AWRE Boffins' Tales 225

Commercial Testing 229

Security 231

Station Secretary 235

Chapter 10 Cobra Mist: Over the Horizon Radar 243

Transport Solutions 255

Progress Slows 257

Lost in the Mist 263

An Unexplained Ring 271

The Plugs are Pulled 274

Chapter 11 Orford Mess 275

What to do with the Ness 275

The Nuclear Might-Have-Been 276

Over to 'Auntie' 279

The Rendlesham UFO 280

Scrap and Demolition 282

Chapter 12 The Military Departs 285

The National Trust Acquisition 292

Open to the Public 296

Chapter 13 Epilogue 300

Glossary 303

Endnotes 305

Index 314

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