Tucked away within the remnants of Newlands, plantation clad hillside, resides a bunker, it's fields of view obscured by the remaining trees; the battle field head quarters of the nearby Ibsley Airfield. Ibsley Airfield on the western fringe of the forest, was active throughout the Second World war; a Battle of Britain base during the defencive early years of the war, later used a base from which to harass the Germans in the lead up to D Day and ultimately victory. When originally built the bunker stood on an open hill, with clear views over the Avon valley and its associated base; supporting it were a series of trench works and machine gun placements; remnants of much of which endure. The purpose of the site was, if the airfield was attacked and taken by enemy forces, the battle field head quarters would be used as a strengthened position, with tactical advantage, from which to launch a counter attack and retake the field.
The majority of the plantation to the rear of the bunker has been removed as part of the heathland regeneration, exposing associated trench features; unfortunately, these important and increasingly rare feature have suffered a degree of damage during original planting and clearance process. Attached to one of the surviving trench systems is a short section of trench leading to a machine gun position, overlooking regeneration in an area cleared of plantation; and Dockens water. The revetment on these trench features has been removed or decayed, leaving the metal up right supports; a few fragmented sections of revetment remain in the form of corrigated iron sheeting and concrete filled sand bags.
Newlands Plantation was created in 1964, a plantation of Lodgepole Pine and and Douglas Fir, in recent years European directives on Bog Woodland and Heathland restoration have facilitated the removal of these coniferous trees, along invasive Rhododendrons; opening up the landscape and views.
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