Balloon Operators at RAF Chigwell, 1942

When pilots were bravely defending the skies, other parts of the air service were playing their part defending Britain elsewhere. Barrage balloons were successfully deployed to protect London against enemy bombers. German pilots feared flying near the balloons and had to avoid steel cables and netting held in the air. The responsibility for the anti-aircraft defences fell on the Auxiliary Air Force.

When war loomed plans were made to build a training centre for 700 balloon operators. During 1937, contractors commenced working on the grounds where Chigwell's original manor house stood in the 17th century. They immediately set about filling in the moat that surrounded the old property.

The Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) was established on 28th June 1939 after the Government decided that a separate women's air service was needed. The WAAF wasn't completely integrated with the RAF, but was set up with the intent of substituting women for RAF personnel where possible. Within a year thousands of women volunteers joined up. The WAAF became part of the Armed Forces of the Crown in 1941. RAF Chigwell made and serviced barrage balloons.

The balloons consisted of 24 panels made of rubberised Egyptian cotton, coated on the outside with aluminium powder. Each panel was known as a 'Gore', a term used to describe a triangular or tapering piece of material. The gores were sewed and glued together. This job needed great precision and afterwards the seams got carefully checked.

During assembly the handle on a compressor got rotated to force air into the balloons. This was a very tiring job. The women standing inside the balloons carefully knotted the cotton material onto the rigging. Tension in the rigging lines had to be just right. It was pitch black inside the balloons and the only illumination came from hand held lamps. Balloons were constructed over thick mats to prevent damage. It was common practice to remove shoes and work in stockinged feet, although soft overshoes were provided. Work-sheds had air thick with solvent fumes so workers received a pint of milk daily to neutralise its effects.

Lorries towing hydrogen cylinders on trailers were used for launching. Low flying planes made difficult targets. Balloons forced enemy pilots to fly higher into concentrated anti-aircraft fire. The combination of balloons and spitfires made enemy planes vulnerable when dive bombing. Some balloons carried small explosive charges that got pulled towards the aircraft to ensure its destruction. The weight of long cables made barrage balloons impractical against the high-level bombers that replaced the dive bombers. However, balloons were still made and nearly 3,000 existed in 1944.

Chigwell became a ground radio station from April 1st 1943 and balloon operations ceased there. This resulted in No. 24 Balloon Centre getting placed at Fairlop in June 1944. Personnel now arriving at Chigwell received intensive training in radio operations, codes and cyphers, before being deployed in Britain or overseas. There were several Polish units at the camp. The base eventually took up to 4,000 personnel.

Evidence of the wartime base can still be found at Roding Valley Nature Reserve over 70 years later. During the war large concrete blocks were used as a defence against tanks if an invasion took place. Long concrete roads are further evidence of the former RAF base

Pebbles set in a concrete slab. For many years the meaning of 'Intone' remained a mystery, but has since been revealed as a code name for anti-submarine duties in the Atlantic performed by 220 Squadron, who were supported by a Mobile Signals Unit at RAF Chigwell.

In 1964, an auction selling huts, equipment and electric cables took place. The following year the Ministry of Defence offered the land for sale. Chigwell Urban District Council ruled it could only be used for recreational or agricultural purposes because of its position on the Green Belt. The site became Roding Valley Nature Reserve.

Written and photographed by Raymond Small.

Wartime pictures courtesy Daylop Collection.