NHER 27888 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two defence emplacement

June 2003. Norfolk NMP.
A possible military camp and gun emplacement, probably dating from the earlier years of World War Two. The western part of the site is occupied by a sub-rectangular or D-shaped enclosure (S1) with a north to south length of 58m and width of 35m. The northern, western and southern sides of the enclosure are formed by a single bank, with a ditch on the outer side, and the fragmentary traces of a low bank on the outer edge of the ditch. The north-western corner of the enclosure appears to have truncated one of the saltern mounds within NHER 27073. The eastern side of the enclosure is possibly formed by an existing ditched and banked field boundary, although there are traces of a ditch that may represent an extension of the enclosure to the east of the field boundary. There is a possible structure or building to the outside of this ditch, but the definition is poor, and it may be a haystack (S1). To the east there is a line of three buildings, with average dimensions of 12m in length and 5.5m in width, which are likely to have a military function. There is a single type 22 pillbox at TF 6144 2181. To the west are two circular or penannular banked features (TF 6136 2179 and TF 6140 2180), which appear to be gun emplacements. The features have maximum diameters of 8.8m and 14m. There is a circular concrete structure, with a diameter of 2.3m, within the entrance to the western feature (S3), which may be a spigot mortar emplacement.
This is possibly an early anti-aircaraft or searchlight battery, or similar site. The purpose of the enclosure is unclear, and it may not even have a military function, although it is suggested that it is part of the site, and associated with the other features.
The site appears to be in a mothballed state by 1943 (S1), as there is little sign of activity within the circular earthwork features or the enclosure to the west, although this was possibly the original focus of the site. The site appears to be abandoned by 1945 (S2), as the western enclosure has gone and there is little sign of activity around the pillbox. The pillbox and the circular concrete feature are clearly visible in 1947 (S3), but have gone by 1954 (S4), when the area is under the plough
M. Brennand (NMP), 26 June 2003.