RAF Watnall is not an airfield; it was home to the control and administration centre for Fighter Command's 12 Group covering the Midlands, Norfolk, Lincs and N Wales. As well as numerous surface buildings including the domestic site, the hub of RAF Watnall consisted of 3 "bunkers": the control centre (L11257), the filter block (L11258) and the communications centre (L11259). The layout of these bunkers is similar to Fighter Command's HQs at Preston, Inverness and Newcastle. Although construction started in 1938 … it wasn't until late 1940 that the HQ became operational, having moved in from nearby Hucknall. After the war the HQ moved to RAF Newton in 1946 … RAF Watnall closed in 1961. (1)
See also L10585 and L10586 for associated pillboxes.

<1> Catford N, 2001, RAF Watnall: Fighter Command's 12 Group HQ (Published document). SNT2602.

<2> Sibley D and M, Defence of Britain Recording Form (Index). SNT2603.