NHER 38520 (Monument record) - World War Two tracks, small pits and temporary structures

November 2004. Norfolk NMP.
An area of possible World War Two training activity may be indicated by a spread of small earthwork weapons pits, possible stretches of barbed wire, a system of well-defined tracks and a cluster of temporary structures. The site is centred on TG 2520 4010. These features are visible on aerial photographs taken between 1940 and 1946 on an area of heath and rough grazing to the south of the railway line at Overstrand (S1-5). Another area of possible World War Two training is located to the immediate north (NHER 38512). Whilst World War Two activity appears the most likely interpretation for the majority of these features, it is also possible that some of the earthwork pits may relate to post medieval extraction.

Visible in photographs from 1940 to 1941 and centred on approximately TG 2503 4010 is a group of huts, consisting one large central structure, with smaller low rectangular structures clustering around it (S1-2). It is entirely possible that these structures are agricultural and relate to animal shelters. Although the fact that they have been removed by 1942 (S3) and may be associated with an area of military training, could indicate that they are temporary military structures.

The central area of the site is characterised by dispersed earthwork pits and practice trenches visible in photographs from 1942 to 1946 (S3-5). The entire spread is centred on TG 2519 4013, although the main cluster of pits mapped is centred around TG 2519 4004. Some of these pits are quite large, up to three metres across. It is possible that some of these are extraction pits of a post-medieval date. However the earthworks appear reasonable recent and therefore may be modern and World War Two in origin, possibly representing weapons pits or something military training features. At TG 2510 4008 is another cluster of pits visible in 1942 (S3). These were defined by an extent of area on the NMP map. The largest of these features consists of a five metres across oval pit, which may have a stone or concrete central component. It is possible that this is a spigot mortar emplacement associated with the military presence on the heath, although it may also be related to extraction.

Another possible area of pits is visible centred on TG 2518 4016 and covering an area of approximately 150m by 35m (S5). These features are defined by an extent of area on the NMP map as the individual earthworks are not especially clear. These appear more overgrown than the other pits. The fact that these are covered by vegetation would suggest that they are earlier, although it is not clear whether this is earlier in the World War Two sequence or whether they are post medieval in date.

A small number of pits are also visible alongside the railway line. It is possible that these are related in some way to the construction of the railway and therefore may be post medieval in date.

In 1943 a possible area of barbed wire is visible centred on TG 2534 4001 (S4). This identification of this meandering linear feature as barbed wire is not entirely certain due to the poor quality of the aerial photograph. Similar features were recorded to the immediate north in NHER 38512. Between June 1942 and 1946 (S3-5) a system of wide tracks traverse this area of rough ground, these would appear to relate to some sort of World War Two training, however they are not conclusively military and therefore may just represent repeated modern vehicle access across the site.
(S1-5)