NHER 38877 (Monument record) - World War Two defences

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A group of World War Two military defences, practice trenches and structures are visible located along the cliffs to the west of Cromer (S1 to S5). These appear to cluster around an existing building, which was possibly being used as a coastguard station at that time. A number of these military features have been placed into the earlier earthworks of post medieval enclosures and boundaries which existed along the cliff (NHER 38876). These include several gun emplacements, a possible camouflaged pillbox, slit trenches, and a variety of military structures, some of which have been partially covered by a mound. The site is centred on TG 2118 4243. These structures sit within a much larger spread of World War Two defences and military sites, which provided coastal protection and training areas, such as NHER 38869 to 71, 38873 and 32576, all along the Cromer cliff tops.

At TG 2124 4243 is a rectangular structure, measuring up to 12m by 7m. This building has the appearance of three conjoined structures, possibly of a prefabricated nature, with an entrance to the west accessed through a narrow recess. The eastern structure has a short tower or second storey projecting out. A further structure, 4m square, is visible to the immediate east of the main building. Adjacent to the main structure is a rectangular concrete yard, with a central pole or column. Also visible on the oblique aerial photographs of this site are two tall aerials or masts, one either side of the southern boundary of the property. This building does not exist on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map (1902-7, 25") (S6). However the building is marked as the coastguard station in the 1950s (Ordnance Survey 6" 1957 edition) (S7). It therefore seems likely that the building existed prior to the World War Two defences and the station became a focus for military activity, either being incorporated or commandeered during the war. The structure of the building remained intact until at least 1952 (S8), after which point it was rebuilt to a similar plan into the structure that exists today. This building now appears to be part of a weather station.

At TG 2115 4240 is a possible pillbox or similar military structure, up to 5m across, (S1 and S3) and located by the side of the road, tucked within an existing enclosure (NHER 38876). The shape of this structure is hard to distinguish for certain, as it appears to have an unusual profile in shadow and looks slightly different in each from of the 1941 vertical aerial photographs (S1). The structure has a circular appearance when viewed in stereo, although in one of the frames (when viewed in isolation) it has a more rectangular plan. The structure is only visible within one oblique aerial photograph, unfortunately in the extreme far ground, and in this it would appear to have a pitched roof, similar to that visible on nearby sheds (S4). It is possible that a military structure or pillbox has had a pitched roof placed on top to act as camouflage. A further, admittedly remote, possibility is that the structure was altered in-between the 7th and 28th August 1941. This structure is either gone or heavily camouflaged by 1942 (S4). It has definitely been removed by 1946 (S6) and therefore further detail cannot be gained from additional aerial photographs.

Other elements of the site were also camouflaged, in particular in an area centred on TG 2124 4239. On the 1941 verticals a low and uneven mound is visible, which runs along the southern field boundary. This mound has several angular edges projecting to the north and an the oblique aerial photograph these can clearly be seen to be covered and camouflaged structures (S2), the clearest being at TG 2125 4239 and measuring 3m across. This raised area is separated from another slight mound to the east by a path. Within this eastern mound there appears to be a further rectangular structure at TG 2126 4240, measuring 3m by 1m (S5). A low earthwork bank and ditch are visible running across the site diagonally towards these mounds and joining up with the path (S1 and S4). This earthwork does not appear fresh enough to be entirely related to the military phase of activity on this site and has therefore been recorded as part of the earlier, post medieval boundaries visible at this location (NHER 38876).

To the west of the site is a quite a deep trench concealed within an existing field boundary and hedge. Within this at TG 2116 4244 are two further possible concealed structures, neither can be seen in any detail. At the northern end of the trench is a concrete circular gun emplacement, 3m across, at TG 2115 4247. A further roughly circular pit has been cut into the boundary 15m to the south, this may also have acted as a gun position of some sort. To the immediate west of these emplacements is pronounced zigzag shaped slit trench, up to 3m wide in places. This trench looks quite fresh in 1941 (S1). In December 1946 the earthworks of a much larger slit trench are visible as a low zigzag plan mound, flanked by two ditches (S5). This slit trench is not visible in June 1942 (S4) and therefore must have been constructed inbetween 1942-44. A further circular gun emplacement is possibly located at TG 2120 4247, measuring up to 2m across, although the aerial photographs do not show this feature clearly enough to be certain of its military origin.

The former presence of further military structures is indicated by angular parchmarks and concreted surfaces on both sets of vertical aerial photographs from 1941to 1942 (S1 and S4). These are a 3m square concrete base at TG 2116 4239, and two polygonal marks at TG 2119 4240.
S. Massey (NMP), 18 October 2004.