One of
the consequences of the Bruneval
raid was that it was feared that retaliatory raids would
soon take place. Certainly attacks in the area became more
frequent and in one raid on TRE Worth a number of RAF airmen
were killed.
Some bombing raids even coincided with specific train departures
from Swanage station!
Churchill gave the order that the move was to be completed
" before the next full moon" and just one month
later (26th March 1942) the whole operation had been moved
to Malvern College, a public school. The unit is still there
now (RAF Malvern).
A fleet
of Pickfords trucks was hired for the move. All the loading
was done in the rain and then the convoy (heavily guarded)
moved off to Malvern
The Worth
Matravers site remained under RAF
control until 1967 as a 'GEE' monitoring station.
The last of the of the old CH towers was
dismantled in the early 1970's.
Staffing
levels at Malvern meant that nearly 1000 people were now employed
there and many huts with galvanized tin roofs had to be rapidly
constructed
.
The working
conditions were not ideal and there was some trouble with
the 'directed labour' who were complaining about the poor
wages and overstretched accommodation and the lack of free
time. A.P.Rowe (much to his annoyance) had to intervene and
eventually an extra £2 per week was offered to the men
and more home passes issued.
The relocation
did, however, give easy access to the industrial might of
the West Midlands.
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