The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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POW Camp, Hut 9

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 02215m
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Merthyr Mawr
Unitary authority : Bridgend
NGR : SS90037847
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL House
Status : listed building II

Summary :
67 German POWs escaped from this hut on the night of 10/11 March 1945

Description :
67 German POWs escaped from this hut on the night of 10/11 March 1945

A single-storey prefabricated structure, from which 67 German POWs escaped on the night of 10th March 1945, through an 18m long tunnel. The building comprised a central brick-built ablution block and cast concrete accommodation wings. A two-storey brick tower to the rear contained a boiler room, with a water tank above. The escape tunnel was dug from the second room on the south side of Hut 9. The tunnel had been fitted with electric lighting, a ventilation pipe and fan. Additionally, wooden props for the tunnel were constructed from camp furniture. (Sherman 2009)

The vertical access shaft to the escape tunnel from inside the hut is plugged with rubble and capped with concrete. A raked access shaft leads to an adjoining field. There is also a vertical access hole from outside the hut which was created in 2003, widened in 2013. The tunnel is square and supported with wooden posts and planks and is now blocked 6m from the access hole. (Countryfile 2013)

Sources :
, 2013 , ‘Countryfile’ filming of the escape tunnel at Hut 9, Island Farm, 11.01.2013
Howell, J , 2000 , Island Farm, Bridgend: Archaeological Assessment ( © GGAT)
Sherman, A , 2009 , Island Farm, Bridgend: Archaeological desk based assessment and ASHIDOHL ( © GGAT)
The Handley Partnership , HAAbase built heritage assessment system: Buildings at Risk database
01/pm desc text/Cadw//1990/Listed Building List/
2000/HOWELL/JK/ISLAND FARM, BRIDGEND/ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT/A634/GGAT REPORT 2000/067

Events :
E003172 : Island Farm, Bridgend (year : 2009)
E002335 : Island Farm, Bridgend (year : 2000)
E006070 : Hut 9 Tunnel, Island Farm (year : 2013)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 31803 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/31803/details
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 2214m

Compiled date : 09-10-1991


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