No. 208 Radar Station RAAF facts for kids
Quick facts for kids No. 208 Radar Station RAAF |
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| Location | Catherine Hill Bay, City of Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1942–1943 |
| Official name: WWII RAAF Radar Station 208 (former); Mine Camp; Signal Hill; Radar Hill | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 22 July 2008 |
| Reference no. | 1752 |
| Type | Defence Radar Station |
| Category | Defence |
| Builders | Allied Works Council |
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No. 208 Radar Station RAAF was an important military site during World War II. It was a special station used by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to detect enemy aircraft. This station was built near Catherine Hill Bay and Pinny Beach in New South Wales, Australia. It started operating on February 10, 1943. Today, the remains of this radar station are protected as part of the New South Wales State Heritage Register.
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How Radar Station 208 Protected Australia
This radar station was built by the Allied Works Council. Its main job was to find enemy planes during World War II. It was one of nine special radar stations called Advanced Chain Overseas (ACO) units in Australia. These stations were meant to create a network to protect the country.
The equipment for these ACO radar stations was originally meant for places like Malaya and Singapore. However, it was sent to Australia instead after Japan invaded those countries. This shows how quickly plans changed during the war.
Where the Radar Station Was Built
Radar Station 208 was placed on a ridge, which is like a high hill, about 93 meters above the ocean. It was hidden among thick trees. The station had two very tall towers, over 44 meters high. These towers were about 100 meters apart. One tower sent out radio waves, and the other received them. This distance helped make sure the signals didn't get mixed up.
The radar system needed a lot of electricity. It got power from the main supply, with a backup generator in a small, strong bunker. The important electronic equipment was kept safe in bomb-proof bunkers. These bunkers were supposed to be underground. Each control console inside weighed two tonnes, which is very heavy!
Who Worked at the Radar Station
When it first opened, Radar Station 208 had 41 people working there. This included RAAF officers, and many members of the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). The WAAAF members were the radar operators. They watched for aircraft on a special screen. RAAF members were the mechanics who kept the radar working. There were also guards, cooks, and other support staff.
The number of people working at the station grew to 54 by May 1943. The radar operators would send information about planes they detected to the Fighter Unit in Newcastle. They used landlines or radio telephones to share this important data.
How Radar Operators Tracked Planes
Radar operators used an eleven-inch screen, like an old TV, to see aircraft activity. They used special controls to figure out the direction, height, and distance of planes. It was a bit like playing a video game, but with real planes! Radar mechanics had to climb the tall towers regularly to fix parts like switches and aerials.
The ACO radar was good because it could quickly find the height of planes. It could also watch aircraft movements up to 200 miles away. This radar station also helped RAAF Base Rathmines, which was a base for Catalina planes. The information gathered was sent to the command center, Fighter Station No 2, which was 26 km north.
By August 1944, the war situation had changed. Radar Station 208 no longer needed to operate 24 hours a day. The number of staff slowly went down. Finally, on January 28, 1947, the station was closed down completely.
Life at Mine Camp Village
The RAAF and WAAAF staff from Radar Station 208 lived in a small village called Mine Camp. This village was near Catherine Hill Bay, below the radar station. It used to be a camp for miners. Coal mining started there in 1873. At first, it was a simple "shanty town" with basic shelters. But by the 1870s, it had about 20 houses for the miners.
When 45 RAAF and WAAAF personnel arrived, the village's population doubled! Mine Camp had just one shop and a post office. More living quarters were built for the military staff. These new buildings were made to look like the existing houses so they would blend in and not stand out to enemy planes.
Some civilians stayed in Mine Camp after the war. The Housing Commission of New South Wales later bought the RAAF property. However, fewer people lived there over time, and the post office closed in 1952. By 1969, only twelve houses remained. Sadly, the village was destroyed by a bushfire in the 1980s.
What Remains of Radar Station 208 Today
Today, you can still see parts of the old Radar Station 208. The site has a northern and southern area, with similar structures in each. You can find two sets of four concrete footings. These were the bases that held up the huge 44-meter tall timber towers. Steel supports still stick out from these concrete blocks.
There are also two concrete bunkers that look like igloos. They are above ground and each has a square "turret" facing the ocean. These bunkers and footings are placed evenly across the site. Inside the bunkers, you can still see where electrical parts were. They have concrete floors and an exit on the eastern side.
In the southern area, there's a concrete support that was part of the tower ladder. In the northern area, you can see concrete steps and the remains of a circular concrete structure.
A two-meter tall safety fence was put up in the 1990s. It surrounds the northern section, keeping people safe from the cliff edge. The northern bunker is very close to the cliff.
The concrete bunkers have some graffiti and show signs of fire damage. However, they are still in good condition. Some parts show "concrete cancer," which means the steel inside the concrete is starting to show through.
Why Radar Station 208 is Important
The former RAAF Radar Station 208 is a very important historical site in New South Wales. It shows how Australia prepared for war during World War II. It's a rare example of the radar network that protected Australia's coast. It was one of only nine ACO radar stations in Australia, and the only one left in New South Wales.
Its location on a high coastal area, hidden in thick bushland, shows how serious the threat of invasion was. It also highlights how important it was to protect the industrial areas along the New South Wales coastline.
This site can still teach us more about Australia's coastal defense during WWII and how radar technology was used and improved. The development of radar in Australia was a huge scientific achievement during the war. It helped Australian science become more independent. After the war, radar was celebrated as a great success for science in Australia.
The WWII RAAF Radar Station 208 was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on July 22, 2008, because it meets several important criteria:
- It shows how history unfolded in New South Wales: The remains of the station show Australia's response to the threat of invasion during WWII. It also highlights New South Wales's role in defending the country.
- It's linked to important people or groups: The station is important because of its connection to the RAAF and the brave men and women of the RAAF and WAAAF who served during WWII. It especially highlights the role of WAAAF women who worked as radar operators.
- It has potential to teach us more: The site can still provide more information about New South Wales during WWII. It reminds us of the state's role in bringing and developing radar technology during the war.
- It's a rare example: This former Radar Station 208 is the only complete example of a WWII ACO radar station left in New South Wales. It's a unique part of New South Wales's WWII history.
- It shows what a typical radar station was like: The remaining parts of the station still show the original layout and features of a WWII RAAF radar installation.
