NHER 32664 (Monument record) - World War Two coastal defensive structures

Type 26 pill box, demolished.
Information from [1]. See record form and detailed map in file. (S1).
D.Gurney (NLA) October 1996.

CENTRAL GRID REFERENCE ALTERED FROM TG 5322 0132 TO TG 5317 0131.

February 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A group of World War Two coastal defensive structures are visible on aerial photographs on the cliff top at Gorleston Golf Course, Hopton-on-Sea (S3 to S5). This site included a type 26 that was recorded as part of the Norfolk Defensive Structures Survey (S1). Other components of the site consisted of a Light Anti-Aircraft gun emplacement, a type 24 pillbox and a slit trench system cut into the cliff edge. These structures form part of a much wider area of invasion defences along the coast, such as NHER 42473 and 42485-6, and those penetrating inland, such as the anti-tank ditch (NHER 42662). The site is centred on TG 5317 0131.

The possible type 26 pillbox identified by the Norfolk Defensive Structures Survey (S1) is located at the base of the cliffs, TG 5321 0132. On the aerial photographs this is visible as an L-shaped structure, with a rectangular block, 5m by 4m, with a conjoined offset structure to the rear. It is possible that this is an adaptation of the usual type 26 plan, which is square, or a misidentification during the original survey. In 1944-4 this pillbox has rounded cap or structure on the roof, probably a gun emplacement mounted on the top (S3-S5). At the rear of this rounded capping, is a blast wall or protected firing position, with another gun position behind. This is then linked to a smaller rectangular structure behind, on a lightly different alignment, which is likely to be a shelter or ammunitions store for the guns.

On the top of the cliffs above is a Light Anti-Aircraft gun emplacement at TG 5318 0132, this is possibly for a static Bofors machine gun or similar anti-aircraft gun. This LAA gun pit is of fairly typical layout, with a concrete rectangular emplacement, measuring 6.5m by 9.5m (S4-S5). This emplacement has several rectangular recesses for ammunition and the predictor. An earth-covered section on the inland side may be a covered shelter for gun maintenance (S6: p61). This gun emplacement was constructed in-between February 1941 and 1944 (S1-S2). A similar design LAA emplacement was also located along the coast to the north, see NHER 42347.

At TG 5314 0130 a type 24 pillbox is visible on aerial photographs (S3-S4). This has a blast wall protected entrance. Again this appears to have been constructed in-between February 1941 and 1944 (S1-S2). This pillbox is linked to the other gun emplacements by a substantial slit trench, with upcast banks in places. Several weapons pits or gun positions appear to be defined by these earthworks and in 1941 a possible gun or spigot may be visible at TG 5318 0133. This group of defences is enclosed by a curvilinear stretch of barbed wire.
S. Massey (NMP), 16 February 2006.