Brandon Patrol

The OB was situated on the edge of Lingheath, a scrubby heathland bordering on the Thetford Forest, about 90 metres distant from a dirt track and a piggery.

According to information published on the Brandon at War website, Brandon was chosen as the site an OB because it was thought that the invading German Army would rest up and regroup in the cover of the Thetford Forest.

The Patrol's first OB was built in July/August 1940. It was located in Forestry Plantation and large enough to provide room for 15 Patrol members.

Due to problems with flooding a second OB had to be built. It is described as having contained 8 bunks.

The OB is described as having been a 12ft underground structure that was reached by clearing brush from the ground and opening a trapdoor to the bunker. Trees were cut down and used for the rafters, corrugated iron laid for the roof and earth covered over with a final layer of leaves and pine cones to disguise the underground base. There was an air vent that ran up alongside a tree. The Patrol had a primus stove for cooking.

An Observation Post was constructed on the edge of Lingheath along the Bury Road. (Info: Steve Woods)

We were taken to the location by John Field, son of Patrol leader Sergeant Philip R Field. Mr Field was taken to the site by his father, after the war, but was not allowed to access it. On returning to the site years later all that remained of it was a depression in the ground. Presumably it had collapsed. Going by Steve Woods’ description, the OB appears to have had a flat roof and was, in all probability, built by the Patrol members themselves.

Over the years the location has changed considerably: the piggery no longer insists; trees are now growing on the small area of former heath land, which is hemmed in by boarding kennels and two private dwellings to the north and east, and a substantial house to the west of it.
In the 1940s, the nearest roads would have been Thetford Road (600 metres north) and Bury Road (550 meters west). The Patrol’s Observational Post is said to have been near Bury Road.

Our thanks go to Mr John Field for kindly taking us to the location and for letting us have a photograph depicting not only most of the Patrol members but also Group Commanding Officer Captain Walter Gentle. The photo is believed to have been taken on occasion of a competition (probably a shooting competition – note Lieutenant Eric Field holding the cup they presumably won).