NHER 38786 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two coastal defences

September 2004. Norfolk NMP.
World War Two coastal defences and military buildings are visible on contemporary aerial photographs ((S1) to (S6)). These defences are centred around TG 3817 3120. A previously recorded pillbox (NHER 15994) and heavy machine gun post (NHER 16971) are located within the area of these defences. The earliest defences constructed in this area include two hexagonal pillboxes, probably both type 22, which are visible on aerial photographs dating to August and September 1940 ((S1) to (S2)). One of these was located on the beach at TG 38330 31150 at the end of the ramp leading from the lifeboat station. The second pillbox was positioned adjacent to the lifeboat station in the middle of the road at TG 38345 31085. This pillbox appears to have been camouflaged with a roof. Two anti-tank cubes had also been placed on the access ramp itself at that date, although sufficient gap appears to have been left for boats to be moved to and from the beach ((S1) to (S2)). By July and August 1941 additional anti-tank cubes had been placed at this location (TG 38335 31110) blocking access from the beach ((S3) to (S4)).

Extensive barbed wire defences had also been constructed by July 1941. Two lines of barbed wire extended along the cliff top to the southeast of the lifeboat station towards the former 6 inch gun battery (NHER 32636). Double or triple lines of barbed wire also extended to the northwest along the cliff top. These barbed wire defences included weapons pits at TG 38305 31130 and TG 38085 31305. Further weapons pits and slit trenches were located at TG 38090 31170, TG 38175 31165 and TG 38170 31060 in 1941 ((S3) to (S4)) Barbed wire extending along the hedgerow between TG 38005 31370 and TG 38005 31230 curved around the heavy machine gun post (NHER 16971) indicating that it was present, but well camouflaged in 1941 (S3). Numerous buildings and structures are visible in the central field on both the 1940 and 1941 aerial photographs ((S1) to (S4) and (S6)). It is not clear whether all of these are civilian or military structures.

Additional barbed wire defences had been constructed by January 1943 (S5). The cliff top barbed wire had been realigned from its 1941 position with a new line position further back between TG 37695 31605 and TG 38005 31325. Two rectangular barbed wire enclosures had been created to the northwest and southeast of the cliff top pillbox (NHER 15994) and barbed wire placed around the perimeter of the fields centred on TG 3823 3109. A possible slit trench, flanked by earthwork banks, between TG 38215 31200 and TG 38125 31160 appear to follow the line of barbed wire present in 1941.
J. Albone (NMP), 8 September 2004.