The Ohakea Bunker

[dazz]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the history of, what I presume is a wartime concrete bunker just off base at Ohakea? I grew up in the area as a kid, and as a youngster we were able to enter the complex thru various access shafts and stairways ( now firmly sealed ). I remember several rooms below ground level, and some old desks and chairs. I got the impression it wasn't well known, perhaps even by post war airforce personnel, as there was very little graffiti or rubbish etc present.
The complex is located just of base, around 500m up Wilsons Rd, if you have Google maps 40 12' 10.19"s 175 24' 14.36" e . There's also a small pilbox or guardhouse around 50m further up the road, which I presume controlled access to the site.
I made a visit a few weeks ago, and took these photos. From what I remember the roof used to be completely covered with earth, and only the access and ventilation shafts were visible. But as you can see now, the complex has been at least partly uncovered.
Can anyone shed any light on when/why it was built? And who used it?









Cheers Darren

[Bruce]

I know nothing about this bunker, but it does have a lot of similarities with the operations control room at Waipapakauri. I wouldnt be surprised if most of the established operational bases had something similar.

[Dave Homewood]

Yes. I agree with Bruce. It looks like the Ops Room. Whenuapai had/has one too over by the golf course. I think several other major stations also had them.

Hobsonville has a little guard house on the MQ side too by a crash gate, just for interest's sake.

[dazz]

Thanks guys, I figured it was something along those lines. no doubt it would have been a hive of activity in the early 40's!

[30sqnatc]

I'm sure you would find the answer in this book which most major NZ libraries have
capitaldefence.orconhosting.net.nz/review/dnzcoke.htm

[steve]

I believe you might get some infomation from the Dept of Public Works Aerodrome construction Unit or send an email to the base with the photos attached. Someone must have detailed knowlege . I am sure it was a station underground command post similar to the Waipapakauri which was established above ground because of local flooding.

[mileater]

I was never able to get inside the large bunker but the smaller one had terminations for cables from the Tower Equipment Room to Transmitters and Receivers sites and a single MDF, if I recall correctly. It was either '74 or '75 when I went in there to check on some cable problems we were having up at Transmitters.

Cheers,
Allan (Groundie, OH 1974 - 1975)

[Bruce]

I see on the latest Google earth imagery the former museum Strikemaster and Skyhawk are stored in a pen at the end of the runway: 40°12'12.73"S 175°22'19.61"E

[skyhawkdon]

Yeah they are in the old engine run up pit. Sadly not being looked after and looking very worse for wear.

[phil]

The farmer who's field it is in uncovered it and drained it (it was flooded) about 18 months ago. We thought he was actually going to demolish it but hasn't. From what I heard the small sqaure building also housed the bunker's generator.

[murrayl]

The bunker is the war time fighter operations building, built at the same time as the one at the south end of Wellington High Schools football field. I think the building was abandoned as the war threat lessened. As kids we used to go there occasionally from Ohakea during the mid 1960s. we entered through the stairway in the first picture. There was an escape ladder and hatch diagonally across from the stairway.

[SEAN]

Just found this:



From "A Place of Birds" A view of RNZAF Ohakea 1922-1994.

[skyhawkdon]

Is that from Bill Taylor's unpublished book Sean? A shame it never got published.

[SEAN]

Yeah it is. Pretty good book, quite enjoy reading it.