NHER 39197 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two anti-invasion defences

January 2005. Norfolk NMP.
World War Two anti-invasion defences are visible as extant structures and earthworks on aerial photographs (S1-8), along the cliff edge and cliff face between TG 2997 3776 and TG 3088 3716. Barbed wire, weapons pits, slit trenches and gun emplacements make up a virtually unbroken line protecting almost 1km of coastline. The various features visible on aerial photographs taken in different years demonstrate that the line of defences was cumulative, with additions and modifications being made during the war. The location and relatively small scale of the emplacements and other features suggests that they were intended to inhibit a landing on the beach or access to the cliff top. They filled the gap between the emergency coastal battery to the south-east (NHER 39148 and 14142) and the large gun emplacements to the north-west (NHER 39148). Many elements of the site were levelled or removed before or shortly after 1946; since then much of the site has eroded to become part of the cliff face. Structures visible on the beach below the north-west end of the site (NHER 39196) could be related features fallen from the cliff face.

Much of the line of defences is made up by barbed wire, which was in place by 1941 (S4-5) and largely removed between April and June 1946 (S6-7). Gaps in the line of barbed wire are generally associated with clusters of other military features. One such cluster lies at the south-eastern end of the site, centred at TG 3087 3716. It comprises a group of slit trenches and an earthwork bank just visible amongst vegetation on the cliff edge in 1940 (S1-3). Barbed wire, a more obvious slit trench, and a possible spigot mortar emplacement or other structure are visible in 1941 (S4-5). To the north-west, a second group of features is located at TG 3084 3719. In 1940 (S1-2) this comprised a slit trench leading towards an emplacement; the latter had a structure on its north side (perhaps part of a gun?) and a small pit to its south. By 1941 (S4-5) the structure appears to have been removed and a second slit trench added. In 1946 (S6-7) three concrete platforms or bases are visible on the cliff edge, the function of which is unknown. A slit trench to the north-west, at TG 3078 3723, was also excavated between 1940 and 1941 (S4-5).

A third cluster of features is visible at TG 3066 3734. In 1940 one long and two shorter embankments can be seen, at least one of which is flanked by a slit trench; what may be a second slit trench is visible to the north-east, just off the edge of the cliff (S1-2). By 1941 (S4-5) the area appears to have been partially levelled and now has barbed wire flanking it on each side. Several pits, possibly weapons pits, are visible and there are signs of activity on the cliffs below and extending eastwards along the cliff face for approximately 60m. To the north-west an earthwork emplacement and two pits, emplacements or patches of disturbed ground, are visible in 1940 at TG 3057 3738 and TG 3055 3741 respectively (S1-2). Earthworks similar to the pits or emplacements are visible further to the north-west (at TG 3053 3742) on aerial photographs taken in 1941 (S4-5). At TG 3050 3745 an emplacement and slit trenches are visible on a small ledge jutting out from the cliff edge on 1940 aerial photographs (S1-2).

From TG 3047 3747 to TG 3021 3762 the military features lie among earthworks and disturbed ground associated with the brickworks (NHER 14141) which also occupied this area. Some of the mapped features, therefore, might be associated with modern industrial activity rather than World War Two defences and vice versa. Other elements, however, are clearly military. They include a sunken structure, possibly an emplacement, shelter or bunker, visible from 1941 (S4-5) at TG 3030 3755, structures and other activity visible on the cliff face (from TG 3035 3756 to TG 3022 3764) from 1940 (S1-2), and a small emplacement at TG 3035 3750 (also visible in 1940).
(S1-8)
S. Tremlett (NMP), 6 January 2005.