NHER 38944 (Monument record) - World War Two defences

November 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A group of World War Two coastal defences, including two possible gun emplacements and associated structures, is set into the cliffs at Cromer (S1 to S4). The site is centred on TG 2299 4176 and forms part of a much wider system of coastal defences along the cliffs at Cromer (NHER 32566, 38935, 38940 and 38944).

The two circular emplacements are centred on TG 2297 4177 and are 6.5m apart. These have the appearance of being slightly raised circular concrete bases, 4.5m in diameter, with a central hatch or lid, 2.5m long. A square structure or hut is located at TG 2301 4176, measuring 3.5m across (S3). It is assumed that a gun position could be projected out of the opening on top of the base, although it is possible that is it an entrance hatch down to a subterranean structure. A square structure or hut is located at TG 2301 4176, measuring 3.5m across (S3) and a rectangular structure is located 21m to the west, measuring 3.5m by 2.5m. A further rectangular structure may have been present to the north although this could not be clearly distinguished on any of the aerial photographs clearly.

These structures are all still visible on the vertical aerial photographs from 1942, although the circular gun emplacement appears to be partially camouflaged (S4). These defences cannot be identified on aerial photographs from 1946 (S5) suggesting that they have been demolished in the intervening period.
S. Massey (NMP), 04 November 2004.