Site Record

Aerial photography reveals a concentration of military activity in two fields. The southwestern field has a line of six gun positions with a complex of concrete bases and access tracks suggesting munition stores and training facilities. Modern aerial photographs reveals that the field to the northeast contains some 15 concrete foundations with impressions for additional installations and tracks, whilst modern OS base mapping suggests 23 concrete raft foundations. A track leads from the T-junction at Cilffoch farm northwards to this field. A range of buildings (concrete foundations?) on the eastern side of the track at the T junction may relate to a grass landing strip that was created for liaison aircraft(?) although it has been reported that this was to the east of the A487 (see NPRN 415426).

Event and Historical Information:
On 26 August 1942, a set of byelaws came into being to control activiities within an area on land stretching southwest of Clogfryn farm to Pont-y-Gilfach and Cwm Cilforch for the newly established Aberaeron Light Anti-Aircraft Firing Range. The byelaws note two main gun positions - central and flank - and the sea area covered by the range extended for some 6 1/2 miles offshore. A complex of temporary buildings was created on the farmland surrounding Cilfforch farmhouse. The farmhouse acted as the Commanding Officer's Headquarters. The facilities included accommodation, school rooms, abulution blocks and stores, with access roads to the circular concrete gun emplacments at the cliff edge. The targets for the school were drogues and flags towed by aircraft supplied from Aberporth - 1607, 1608 and 1609 Flights of 1 Anti-Aircraft Cooperation Unit (AACU). The grass airstrip was used for liaison flights and also possibly for dropping targets onto after firing had ceased to check accuracy. The range allocated to the school, extended so far out to sea, was named Army Range 227. The camp appears to have been used by the RAF, Army, Royal Marines and, from late 1942, by US Army units.

Sources include:
Jones, I, 2007, Airfields and Landing Grounds of Wales: West, pg184-5
Statutory Rules and Orders No 1585 of 1942: Aberayron Ligght Anti-Aircraft Artillery Range in the County of Cardiganshire
(https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/39644/aberayron_light_anti_aircraft_artillery_range.pdf).

Maritime Officer, RCAHMW, October 2014