Air Defence Experimental Establishment facts for kids
The Air Defence Experimental Establishment (ADEE) was a special group in Britain. It was part of the government's War Office, which helped run the British Army. Their main job was to invent new ways to protect Britain from enemy attacks from the sky. They worked on things like finding enemy cannons (called artillery) by listening to their sounds. This was known as sound ranging. They also developed weapons and methods to fight planes, especially powerful lights called searchlights.
How the ADEE Started
The ADEE started in 1917. It was first known as the Searchlight Experimental Establishment (SLEE). This group was formed in a place called Woolwich. It grew out of a small team from the Royal Engineers, who were like military engineers. This early group focused on making better searchlights.
Moving and Changing Names
In 1923, the SLEE moved to a famous air base called RAF Biggin Hill. This was an important step for the group. A year later, in 1924, its name officially changed. It became the Air Defence Experimental Establishment (ADEE). This new name showed its wider focus on defending against air attacks.
Joining Forces for Defence
Later, in 1939, the ADEE moved again. This time, it went to Christchurch, Dorset. This move happened just as World War II was starting.
During the war, in 1941, another important group joined ADEE. This group was called the "Army Cell." They had been working on a very new technology called radar. Radar uses radio waves to find objects like planes and ships. They had been developing radar systems at a place called Bawdsey Manor.
When the "Army Cell" joined ADEE, the two groups merged. They formed an even bigger and more powerful team. This new combined group was named the Air Defence Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE). At the same time, another radar group from the Air Ministry, called the Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE), moved nearby to Swanage. This brought many smart people working on air defence close together.
