Lippitts Hill

High on Lippitts Hill, a chilling discovery echoed through the trees. It was 1970, the year of the Babes in the Wood murders. This very hill held a grim secret, a tragic chapter in Lippitts Hill’s long history. Lippitts Hill isn’t just a viewpoint offering stunning vistas. It’s a place steeped in history, a silent witness to London’s evolving defenses. During the First World War, the roar of artillery fire echoed from this hill. A gun emplacement stood here, guarding against aerial attacks. The Second World War transformed Lippitts Hill into a vital anti-aircraft site. In 1941, American forces arrived, bringing their 184th anti-aircraft artillery. They constructed an underground control room and block houses, fortifying Lippitts Hill against enemy aircraft. After the Americans departed in 1944, the hill became a prisoner of war camp. A poignant reminder of this era remains: a concrete sculpture, crafted by a German POW named Rudi Webber. This sculpture stands as a testament to human resilience, a touch of artistry amidst the harsh realities of war. Lippitts Hill also played a role in the pacifist movement. The local Peace Pledge Union invited prisoners of war from the camp into their homes on Christmas Day. After the war, Lippitts Hill continued its service to London. The Metropolitan Police established their Firearms Training Unit here, conducting their first firearms training course on this very ground. For years, the Metropolitan Police Air Support Unit, later part of the National Police Air Service, called Lippitts Hill home. The whir of police helicopters became a familiar sound. While the helicopters briefly relocated to North Weald Airfield around 2019, they returned to Lippitts Hill in 2021. Lippitts Hill stands as more than just a hill. It’s a time capsule, layered with echoes of war, peace, and service. From wartime defenses to police training, this hill has played a vital role in London’s story.