Second World War floodlight base, Windermere Ave, Hullbridge (EHER 20661)

Partially destroyed. The site of a Second World War floodlight and generator building which can be seen in an aerial photograph from May 1946. The floodlight was probably constructed between 1936 and 1940 as part of an experiment to light up the night sky with a grid of large, fixed 'floodlights', as a defence against German bombers. The experiment, termed 'Silhouette', failed as the network of floodlights acted as a navigational aid for the enemy aircraft, and it was subsequently terminated in March 1940. When visited in 2002, only the concrete base of the floodlight and generator building remained; the upstanding elements had probably been demolished by 1960. It is one of six concrete bases to survive.

November 2002. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey: site visit and desktop research. An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 shows the clear 12-sided shape of a 'floodlight' standing in a field to the south of Windermere Avenue, Hullbridge. <1> 'Floodlights' were built in the late 1930s/early 1940s as an attempt to light up the night sky with a grid of large fixed searchlights, as a defence against enemy bombers. Each was housed in a 50-foot diameter steel framework with reflecting mirrors angled towards the sky. A separate generator provided power. The experiment was eventually abandoned as, apparently, light reflecting from the clouds lit up the ground, providing a perfect navigational aid for the enemy aircraft. <2> Around 50 of these structures are thought to have been built across Essex. At the time of compiling this report, only one, at North Fambridge (EHER 20565) has been found to still survive. At Hullbridge, however, the circular concrete bases of both the floodlight and its generator house still lie extant in the grass. It can be seen from an aerial photograph taken in 1960 that the steel superstructure was removed prior to this date. <2> <3> Two photos. <4> The project was termed 'Silhouette'. <5> Note: This monument is one of six floodlights from the original 50 where the concrete base is known to survive. See also EHER 10715, EHER 20858, EHER 20875, EHER 20978 and EHER 20999.