RADAR STATION
Alltwyd and Maesfron farms were requisitioned for the construction
of a Chain Home RADAR Establishment. At intervals of 60 miles,
these coastal RADAR Stations gave early warning of aircraft approaching
Britain, and guided RAF interceptors to their target.
interceptors to their target.
The work of RAdio Detection And Ranging aircraft was
done in underground bunkers with only the shadows of the radar
masts visible from the air.
RAF personnel were accommodated in a base camp built
where Cylch Peris is today. The RAF is reported to have moved
out very quietly about the time of D-Day.
CYLCH PERIS CAMP
The arrival of the airforce in Llanon increased opportunities
for socialising. Weekly dances were held in the Church hall, picnics
were organised on the beach and some romances blossomed into marriage.
Children went to the camp to watch picture shows organised for
the airmen.
The camp was later used to hold prisoners of war, first
Italians and then Germans. The prisoners worked on local farms.
Farmers paid their 'wages' to the County War Agricultural Executive
Committee. Some Italian prisoners lived on the farms. They made
willow baskets to earn some pocket money.
At the end of the war the camp was used to house displaced persons.
'Lawruk Nicholaj was one of 60 at the Llanon Nissan Hut camp.
He came from Market Harborough, having been released from Auschwitz
by the Americans. They were working on land drains in Cardiganshire
farms for the usual agricultural wages. They were monoglot but
were being taught English.'
Welsh Gazette 25.12.1947
Nol / Back