NHER 34181 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two Searchlight Battery

June 1946.
RAF aerial photoph shows complex of circular structures and ancillary buildings commensurate with searchlight battery and gun emplacements. Height O.D. 32 m, Area 1.2 hectares.
B. Cushion (NLA), 5 February 1999.

June 2003. Norfolk NMP.
World War Two Searchlight Battery visible on RAF aerial photographs from 1946 (S1). Centred on TG 1149 4235 is the main area of defences. This includes the characteristic triangle of circular emplacements at TG 1153 4233. The smaller two are between 13 and 15m in diameter and the larger emplacement is 17.5m. At TG 1149 4239 is another 17.5m diameter emplacement. This appears to have an ammunition store cut into the western side. This would suggest that it housed a gun. At TG 1150 4236 and TG 1157 4234 are two smaller circular emplacements, 7.5 to 9m in diameter. These may also have been gun emplacements. The larger emplacements would have held the searchlights or projectors and a predictor. Also at TG 1147 4237 the mark left by a removed circular structure is visible, 11m in diameter with a central ‘I-shaped’ feature. The remains of another removed structure are visible at TG 1144 4234, measuring 11m by 7m. This has left a rectangular parchmark with parallel banding across it. Other parched and scuffed areas indicate the former presence of other smaller structures.
A line of at least eight structures runs alongside the road to the west. These buildings are a variety of shapes and sizes, presumably some are barracks and accommodation, whilst others are storage and the generator house. None of these structures appear to have the characteristic curved profile roofs of nissen huts. Along the road side of this strip are several smaller structures, which may be defended the entrances to the site. In particular at TG 1143 4232 is a polygonal structures, 4m across, possibly a pillbox. The eastern extent of the site appears to be defined by a narrow ditch.