Gun Site Mitcham Common

Situated off the Carshalton Road, to the south of Mitcham, this was one of several gun sites built around London as part of the city’s strategic defences during World War II.  This location was chosen by the War Office as the area was close to Croydon Airport and therefore vulnerable to enemy attack.
Anti-aircraft gun sites fall into three main categories: those for heavy guns ( Heavy Anti-Aircraft ), light guns and batteries for firing primitive unguided rockets.  The HAA positions at Mitcham were sited to produce an optimum density of fire with at least 16 guns engaging any one raid simultaneously.  The guns were able to engage high flying strategic bombers, hence their location around the south and east coasts, close to large cities, industrial and military targets.
The guns on this site were initially manned by the 99th ( London Welsh ) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, an air defence unit of Britain's Territorial Army.  It was one of numerous Territorial Army units that defended London during the early part of the war. However it is likely that the Mitcham battery was manned by the local Home Guard units when the Anti-Aircraft Regiment was withdrawn after the Blitz.