Where did Aspidistra come from, where it was located and why. How was it constructed and by whom were David’s opening to a very well researched presentation. In response to the propaganda sent out by Germany during the Second World War it was decided that we should do the same.

David said Richard Gamber Parry, who joined MI6 in 1938 was assigned head of Special Communications in 1939. Along with others in S.O 1 they planned Aspidistra, a medium wave transmitter which would be the strongest in the world.  The use of weaker transmissions would be recognised as not coming from within Germany. Fortunately, at that time in the U.S.A., RCA company had just produced a 500KW transmitter and were looking for a buyer.

The planners set about finding the right spot to locate the transmitter and decided on a high place along the South coast. Knowing it would be a target, the site was built under ground and reinforced with thick concrete walls and roof. The location was Croborough which was 620 feet above sea level and close to the coast. The large hole to put the building was dug by the Canadian Army Road Builders and took six hundred men six weeks. The station was ready for service in November 1942.

David showed some nice photos of the inside of the transmitter hall and said that after the war the station was used by several organisations including the FCO, BBC and also Voice of America. The station closed in 1982 and the site was dismantled in 1984. The Crwborough site was upgraded in the 80’s to become RGHQ 6.1 with extensive reinforcements to the structure and additional features eventually becoming a training centre for the Sussex Police.