NHER 38816 (Monument record) - World War Two earthworks and defences

September 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A group of World War Two date earthworks, defences and evidence of possible military buildings are visible on aerial photographs (S1 to S3) on the Meadow to the north of Cromer Park. The earthworks and parchmarks visible vary considerably on the available wartime photography, suggesting the area may have been used for several phases of military training and activity. On the western edge of the site is a home guard shelter (NHER 32571) and further west is a searchlight battery (NHER 34406) and a type 22 pillbox (NHER 32670). The site is centred on TG 2166 4195.

In 1940 a slit trench is visible running from TG 2170 4202 to TG 2174 4200, this has a surrounding upcast bank towards the western end (S1 to S2). This has a squared out area to the northern side. Approximately 30m to the north of this appears to be a ditch, although it is not clear whether this dates to the World War Two activity or an earlier period.

By 1941 a small polygonal structure is visible at TG 2158 4198, measuring 3.5m across (S2). This structure may also have been present in 1940 (S1), although it is not clearly visible on the aerial photographs due to houses in foreground obscuring the area. The shape would suggest that this is a type 22 pillbox, although it is quite small by comparison with the nearby NHER 32570 example.

In 1942 there is evidence of recent military activity, although none of the structures actually remain on site (S3). In particular at TG 2174 4207 there is a large rectangular parchmark, possibly where a structure recently stood, measuring 18m by 15.5m. The aerial photographs are quite dark and hazy, making it hard to accurately perceive height differences, however the eastern half of this parched area appears to be raised, forming a T shaped mound. This earthwork may represent an underground shelter or bunker of some sort. There is no definite evidence of this earthwork on later aerial photographs (S4), as the site obviously undergoes several drastic alterations and phases of reuse inbetween 1942 and April 1946, which culminates in the whole of the Meadow being covered in a series of small parched marks and patches of disturbed ground, see below.

Also visible in 1942 are a row of five rectangular parchmarks, all approximately 3m by 2m. It seems most likely again that these are the location of temporary structures, again these features appear slight raised, although it is hard to be sure due to the photograph quality.

By April 1946 the site has altered considerably and is pitted with the rectangular parchmarks and areas of disturbed ground. Three areas of disturbed ground were identified and mapped using an extent area rather than defining individual features. There is no definite evidence to relate this phase of activity to World War Two specifically and the fact that it may relate to post war tourism and recreation must be considered. In June 1943 a fire fighting demonstration took place on the Meadow and therefore it is possible that this may account for some of the marks and disturbance (Brooks, 1988: p 69) (S7).

The majority of large rectangular parchmarks are approximately 8m long and their appearance would indicate that a structure or possibly an area of hard standing has recently been removed. The largest group of these features is centred on TG 2166 4193. Several well-worn paths lead to the locations of these structures. A row of 8m by 4m rectangular parchmarks is also visible in a line adjacent to the home guard shelter (NHER 32571). This site is next to the Searchlight Battery (NHER 34406) and it is possible that these structures represent accommodation or buildings associated with the running of the site. Although the fact that the searchlight battery site has no recent signs of activity or parching, other than the main emplacement earthworks, would indicate that it went out of active use prior to the activity on the meadow.

In April 1946 a large square structure is present to the north of the meadow at TG 2174 4209. The function of this latest addition is not known. There is no stereo pair of aerial photographs available for this part of the site, so the actual construction cannot clearly be seen, although it the structure obviously has some height and appears to have a flat roof. The structure is gone by June 1946 and leaves no obvious trace (S6), which would suggest that it was a temporary structure, most likely military in origin, although as with the features above it may relate to recreation or tourism. There are no obvious above ground signs of these phases of activity or remaining earthworks visible on later aerial photographs.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 September 2004.