Abbots Wood Patrol

Initially the Patrol were to have their OB sited within Abbot’s Wood near Hailsham however, following a failed attempt at building the OB due to flooding issues the Intelligence Officer suggested building it in Folkington Wood close to Folkington House, the family home of the IO Captain John Gwynne.

The wood is oval in shape, positioned just below the escarpment of the South Downs with commanding views across the Weald. Two disused chalk pits remain within the wood and the more centrally positioned one was chosen to site the OB adjacent to it.

A small footpath ran past this chalk pit which allowed a passage either way to the main paths running up the edge of the wood one being on high ground looking North and the other on a level with grassland used for grazing. Most foot traffic followed the main paths avoiding going anywhere near the OB. Field boundaries, ditches and additional wooded areas gave cover to allow movement to their main targets.

The OB was 15 by 10 feet and had an entrance via a trapdoor hatch at the southern end and an emergency exit tunnel at the northern end. It was built by the Royal Engineers out of wood and corrugated iron with a flat roof construction and an additional lining of wood around the inside walls.

The OB, very uncomfortable and cramped, was only visited as part of their training sessions.

An Observation Post was located over 300 yards to the west of the OB. It was constructed from wood and corrugated iron sheeting, measuring approximately 6 feet by 4 feet as only ever expected to have one person inside at any one time. The OP was connected to the OB via a telephone line.