Site 8: Quarters

The site had accommodation for officers, sergeants and airmen together with ablutions and latrines. It is at Hendrawalls alongside the recreational and mess facilities at site 5. This site became known as Stalag Luft 8 after the German prisoner of war camp due to its remote location from the airfield.

Picket Post

[Drawing No. [12404/41] (Map Ref: 318)

The same size and construction as the picket post on the Station Headquarters site. A small Nissen hut 16 ft by 18 ft. Constructed of corrugated steel sheeting with T-shaped (in section) arched steel ribs at 6 ft centres. Concrete floor.

The building is no longer extant. It is on private land. [2007]

Officer's Quarters

[Drawing No. 14420/41] (Map Ref: 319-325)

Officers were accommodated in these seven Handcraft huts of the same type and design as those on communal site 1. 18 ft by 36 ft. Constructed of pre shaped asbestos troughing with seven faces giving the familiar threepenny bit shape. No internal framing. Flat asbestos sheets internally bolted to a concrete floor. The huts had beds, wooden lockers and a single stove in each one. The stove could only be lit in the evening due to the shortage of fuel and the means to transport it.

The buildings are no longer extant. They are on private land. [2007]

Officer's Ablutions

[Drawing No. 16330/41] (Map Ref: 326)

Cement rendered concrete block with external piers at 10 ft centres. A single pitch roof with corrugated asbestos cement sheeting. Wooden purlins.

The building is no longer extant. It is on private land. [2007]

Officer's Latrines

[Drawing No. 16330/41] (Map Ref: 327)

Cement rendered concrete block with external piers at 10 ft centres. A pitched roof with corrugated asbestos cement sheeting. Wooden purlins.

The building is no longer extant. It is on private land. [2007]

Airmen's Quarters

[Drawing No. 14420/41] (Map Ref: 328-340)

Airmen were accommodated in these thirteen Handcraft huts of the same type and design as those on communal site. 18 ft by 36 ft each. Constructed of pre shaped asbestos troughing with seven faces giving the familiar threepenny bit shape. No internal framing. Flat asbestos sheeting internally bolted to a wooden floor. The huts had beds, wooden lockers and a stove in each. The stove could only be lit in the evening due to the shortage of fuel and the means to transport it.

The buildings are no longer extant. They are on private land. [2007]

Airmen's Latrines

[Drawing No. 16330/41] (Map Ref: 341-343)

The three latrine blocks were cement rendered concrete block with external piers at 10 ft centres. A pitched roof of corrugated asbestos cement sheeting. Wooden purlins.

The buildings are no longer extant. They are on private property. [2007]

Sergeant's And Airmen's Ablutions

[Drawing No. 6501/42] (Map Ref: 345)

A single Nissen hut of the same type and construction as that on the technical site. 16 ft by 36 ft. Constructed of corrugated steel sheeting with T-shaped (in section) arched steel ribs at 6 ft centres. Concrete floor.

The building is no longer extant. It is on private land. [2007]

Sergeant's And Airmen's Drying Room

[Drawing No. 6501/42] (Map Ref: 346)

The drying room was equipped with hanging rails on which to dry clothing.

A single Nissen hut of the same type and construction as that on the technical site. 16 ft by 18 ft. Constructed of corrugated steel sheeting with T-shaped (in section) arched steel ribs at 6 ft centres. Concrete floor.

The building is no longer extant. It is on private land. [2007]

Sergeant's Quarters

[Drawing No. 14420/41] (Map Ref: 347-355)

Sergeants were accommodated in these nine Handcraft huts of the same type and design as those on communal site 1. 18 ft by 36 ft each. Constructed of pre shaped asbestos troughing with seven faces giving the familiar threepenny bit shape. No internal framing. Flat asbestos sheets internally bolted to a concrete floor. The huts had beds, wooden lockers and a stove in each. The stove could only be lit in the evening.

The buildings are no longer extant. They are on private land. [2007]

Sergeant's Latrines

[Drawing No. 16330/41] (Map Ref: 356-358)

Three latrine blocks. Constructed of cement rendered concrete block with external piers at 10 ft centres. A pitch roof of corrugated asbestos cement sheeting. Wooden purlins.

The buildings are no longer extant. They are on private property. [2007]

Static Water Pool

[No Drawing No.] (Map Ref: 344)

Static water pools were dispersed throughout the aerodrome. They were fed by the natural water table and used for fire fighting purposes and on occasions for dinghy drill.

Open constructions of permanent brick and concrete they were capable of holding 20,000 gallons of water. Almost every site had it's own static water pool.

The pool has been filled in. It is on private land. [2007]

Air Raid Shelter

[No Drawing No.]

Four in number Stanton type air raid shelters as manufactured by Stanton Ironworks company, Nottingham. They were capable of holding up to 50 men each.

An enclosed structure of pre-cast concrete sections which bolted together to form a tunnel of the required length. The entrance was in a wall of concrete block and at the opposite end was a concrete 'chimney' for use as an emergency exit. The shelter was covered with earth to provide bomb splinter protection.

The building is no longer extant. It is on private land. [2007]