Op Emily
surveying of
The Thor ICBM Missile sites
situated in Eastern England
1958-1960
Description of the Operation
During the late fifties the Cold War necessitated the provision of a missile deterrent
This was to be twenty Thor ICBM Missile sites situated in Eastern England.
These were set up in four groups of five centred on existing Royal Air Force Stations.
These HQs were:-
RAF
in Norfolk
RAF
in Lincolnshire
RAF
in the East Riding of Yorkshire
RAF
in the County of Rutland
13 Field Survey Squadron RE based at Fernhurst Camp, Fernhurst, Sussex provided the survey personnel for this task.
At each proposed site similar tasks were carried out which were:-
Build two
for a site baseline.
that baseline using MACCA base measuring equipment
a triangulation scheme from Ordnance Survey control to locate the pillars.
Height the pillars by levelling from OS control.
Observe for
by Position Lines using Wild T4 and associated Equipment.
Observe for
using Wild T4 and associated Equipment.
After the construction of the Rocket sites
Observe internal triangulation schemes to locate individual elements.
Observe for Astronomic Azimuth using Wild T4 and associated Equipment within the site.