Overzicht
During World War II, the Germans constructed a Freya-type radar station on the outskirts of the village of Aalten. The location was situated north of the Ringweg, approximately halfway between the Tolhuis (tollhouse) and the water tower. This radar site was part of an extensive air defence system operated by the Luftwaffe.
The radar system, named after the Germanic goddess Freya, had been developed by the Germans in the late 1930s. It was capable of detecting enemy aircraft at a distance of approximately 150 kilometres.
The radar installation was situated on a site with a circumference of about 800 metres, surrounded by a system of trenches and barbed-wire fencing. Additionally, anti-aircraft artillery was present on the site.
There was a large radar unit, consisting of a red brick base, approximately seven by seven metres and three metres high. Mounted on top was the antenna, a metal framework measuring six by six metres. The large, square antenna screen could be rotated manually to the desired direction.
There was also a smaller radar unit, which lacked a brick base. Furthermore, there were approximately ten wooden barracks on the site, measuring four by six metres and painted green, used to house the personnel.
De directe omgeving van de radarstelling was tot Sperrgebiet verklaard. De Ringweg was van het Tolhuis tot de watertoren verboden voor voetgangers. Op die plaatsen stonden borden met “Militäre Werke“. Auto’s en fietsers mochten wel doorrijden, maar stoppen of afstappen was verboden.