Second World War floodlight, Kit's Hill, Fambridge Road (EHER 20565)

A military floodlight which was probably constructed between 1936 and 1940, and used during the Second World War as part of a military experiment. It is the only surviving structure of its kind in Essex. The project was termed 'Silhouette'. The floodlights were designed to light up the night sky as defence against German bombers or enemy airborne troops, but the project was not a success and instead the network of floodlights acted as a navigational aid for the enemy aircraft. The experiment was terminated in March 1940, and this monument is a rare survival. Information on the experiment is scarce and, given the failure of the project, gives the impression of it being written out of history.

November 2001. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: site visit and desktop research. During the late 1930s/early 1940s (probably 1936-1940), an experiment was conducted to light up the night sky with a grid of large, fixed 'floodlights', as a defence against German bombers. Each installation consisted of a steel enclosure, 50 feet across, in which the floodlight was mounted, surrounded by twelve large mirrors angled towards the sky. Information on the experiment is still scarce although enquiries by Mr F. Plume at the Public Record Office (PRO) in 1992/1993 have resolved some of the questions. <1> <2> A map drawn by Mr Plume in 1999, from his earlier investigations, shows 50 sites in Essex, located in an area from Little Leighs in the North to Eastwick in the South. It is not known whether this was the complete grid (although one floodlight is known to have been sited at Dovercourt, EHER 10715) or whether the experiment overlapped to other counties. <3> The experiment was not a success - it is said that the light reflecting from the clouds lit up the countryside as a perfect navigational aid for the bombers, and the work was terminated in March 1940. The floodlight at Kit's Hill stands in a meadow 100 yards West of Fambridge Road. It is a twelve-sided structure, built of steel sheeting and angle iron, measuring 50 feet across by 7 feet high. The appearance is of a large, rusting enclosure, open to the sky. Much of the sheeting has corroded or fallen off. Inside, the remains of the angle iron supports show where the twelve mirrors would have been mounted. These are in a complete circle; the floodlight, in the centre, would have pointed vertically skywards and the light would have reflected upwards and outwards from the angled mirrors. Measuring the iron supports, it appears that each mirror would have measured around 9'6" by 5'6". It can be seen that originally the entrance to the structure was through the SE face. <4> Twelve photos. <5> The project was termed 'Silhouette'. <6> 2001. Site Assessment: At the time of writing this record, seven sites have been surveyed and just one floodlight has been found to have survived. It is probable that no others remain (although at least two of the concrete bases are known to be extant: at Dovercourt and Little Leighs) and the survivor at Kit's Hill is the last remaining example. As such, this monument is in the highest assessment rating and every effort should be made to ensure its continued survival. <4> 2009. Site Assessment: With 41 floodlight sites now surveyed across the county, it is clear that the example at Kit's Hill is the sole survivor, although five other concrete bases still remain. <4> NRHE data transfer, 1416084: The site of a World War Two SRF, with a sketch location plan and two photographs. It was constructed during the inter war period 1919 to 1939 and was used during World War Two. The searchlight emplacement is located within a cylindrical metal structure which would have held lights to flood the surrounding countryside with light in the event of the landing of enemy airborne troops (AMIE 1427754). The site is currently in a poor condition and is located on Kit's Hill, Cold Norton. <7> See also <8>. Note: SRF is probably an abbreviation for Searchlight Regiment Facility, but this cannot be confirmed through any of the cited sources. NRHE summary description: The site of a World War II searchlight emplacement. It was constructed during the inter war period 1919 to 1939 and was used during World War Two. The searchlight emplacement is located with a cylindrical metal structure which would have held lights to flood the surrounding countryside with light in the event of the landing of enemy airborne troops (AMIE 1427754). The site is currently in a poor condition and is located on Kit's Hill, Cold Norton. NRHE data transfer, 1427754: A cylindrical metal structure which would have held lights to flood the surrounding countryside with light in the event of the landing of enemy airborne troops. This is said to have been an experimental device and is probably unique. [Recorder received information on this site from a Richard Courant, Sept. 1996]. Location: On Kit's Hill, North of North Fambridge and South of Cold Norton. [Site location plan drawn on form]. <7> NRHE summary description: A Second World War cylindrical metal structure which would have held lights to flood the surrounding countryside with light in the event of the landing of enemy airborne troops. This was an experimental device and is potentially the only surviving example. Located on Kit's Hill, North of North Fambridge and South of Cold Norton.