Second World War prisoner-of-war camp (destroyed), Hutted Camp, Bentley Farm, Langdon Hills (EHER 21505)

The site of a Second World War prisoner of war camp at Langdon Hills, known as Camp 266. This was a working camp for German prisoners, who worked as labourers in the local area. It could have been in use up until 1948. The camp has since been removed and only the remains of a concrete floor survive.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: A report on WWII Prisoner-of-War camps published in 2003 lists “camp No. 266, Hutted Camp, Bentley Farm, Old Church Hill, Langdon Hills. NGR TQ 668 864 Condition 4 (Removed: all structures from site; footprint may survive.) German working camp.” <1> An aerial photograph taken in October 1946 shows the camp very clearly on the north side of Old Church Hill. There are huts, around 50 of them, all pitched roof. These are in blocks with roads and pathways between them, a recreation ground and large expanses of grass can be seen. No secure boundary fencing is apparent, no gates and no vehicles. It appears likely that one year after the end of the war, the camp is now empty although it is known that nationally the last German prisoners were not repatriated until 1948. <2> Prisoner of war camp 266 was located at the summit of Langdon Hills on a large flat piece of land adjacent to Dry Street (TQ 679 865). There are no remains except one concrete floor on the side closest to High Road. <3> Aerial view on Google maps shows remains of a rectangular concrete floor at the above location. <4> When visited in May 2012, nothing could be seen of any surviving structures.