Sinah Common Hayling Island, WW2 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Site By Drone 4K

The monument, which includes a World War II Heavy Anti-aircraft (HAA) gunsite and its associated domestic camp, is situated at Sinah Common approximately 700m north of Hayling Bay. The gunsite, known as Sinah or P2 (Portsmouth 2), formed part of a chain of batteries positioned to defend the industrial and military targets of Portsmouth. As the size and shape of Hayling Island closely resemble that of Portsmouth, the island was set up as a decoy to distract enemy aircraft from the city. In April 1941 Hayling Island received over 200 bombs and parachute mines, and the gunsite was hit directly, killing six of its crew members. The gunsite remained out of action until December 1941. It was then equipped with a GL Mk II radar and in April 1942 was amongst the first to be fitted with a paraboloid aerial replacing the Ground Laying mat. In January 1946 the battery was selected to form part of the reduced, post-War layout known as the Nucleus Force, with its guns held in readiness off-site. The four 4.5 inch gun emplacements are situated at the western end of the site along a semicircular road with direct access from Ferry Road. They surround a control building, which has been mounded over, but which will survive as a buried feature. Sources indicate that the gun emplacements were numbered 1 to 4 from south to north. They were octagonal in shape with six ammunition recesses fitted along the concrete blast wall surrounding the holdfasts. Emplacement number 1 is well preserved, despite its southern tip subsiding into the adjacent pond as a result of quarrying. At its centre securing bolts protrude from the holdfast, while all six ammunition lockers are present, equipped with internal recesses in which wooden shelfs were fitted. Contemporary stencilling on one of the lockers reads the angle measurement 75 degrees, indicating the position of the gun at this angle. Immediately north of emplacement number 1 is a generator room, which was damaged during the 1941 attack, leaving a large hole in the roof. Original cables remain embedded in its northern wall. Emplacements numbers 2 and 3 have been substantially altered to provide sheltered seating; the back gates have been filled, the adjoining storage bunkers were closed off, and all ammunition lockers removed. Surfaces were plastered or paved over and benches were placed along the blast walls. Emplacement number 2 was heavily damaged in 1941 and a small plaque, installed in 1994, commemorates the men of the 219 battery, 57th Heavy Anti-aircraft Regiment, who were killed in action. Emplacement number 4 was infilled in the late 1960s, but will survive as a buried feature underneath the mound. The emplacements were served by two ammunition stores; one at the northern end of the site along Ferry Road and the other at its southern extremity near emplacement number 1. These five-bay magazines were protected within blast walls, which proved effective during the 1941 attack. Although the blast wall at the southern end of the site was damaged, the magazine remained unscathed and the glass in its windows survives. About 100m east of the magazine on Ferry Road is a red brick flat-roofed gun store, which has been refurbished with new doors, ramp, guttering and roof, and is now in use as a powerhouse. A track connects the emplacements and the domestic camp at the eastern end of the site. The general layout of the domestic quarters is apparent from the concrete roads, which come off the main entrance at Ferry road. Along the southernmost track is a concrete standing which probably functioned as a parade ground. In the north eastern corner of the site a concrete air raid shelter is preserved, which has been bricked up. On its roof are two small domes covering air vents. The gunsite was surrounded by a fence, of which some of the original posts survive.

[@makariojopekavoa7008]

So peaceful and beautiful.

[@pthayre6694]

Wow, interesting and amazing. Reckon it'll just sit there for many years to come. Thanks for posting

[@brendancarroll9376]

There is a memorial there to the men killed At the site during the war

[@Sam-wj5op]

love it, can you expand on what those "magazine" buildings were used for.

[@portsmouthaerialmedia]

Thanks Sam, that is where they stored all the ammo for the anti aircraft guns.

[@will2108]

Walk my dog there every day i have a pass to go near the lake too

[@portsmouthaerialmedia]

It's a lovely place.👍

[@sparkysteve3780]

funny how it looks so different from the air do you live local to Hayling ?
atb Steve

[@portsmouthaerialmedia]

Hi Steve, I live in Portsmouth

[@sparkysteve3780]

dave aird ah right me to grew up in fratton

[@portsmouthaerialmedia]

so did I, near fratton park.

[@sparkysteve3780]

dave aird I lived in Clive road sure you'll know where that is

[@portsmouthaerialmedia]

I lived in Haslemere rd.

[@portsmouthlivemusic]

@spicy110 Thought you might like this channel