NHER 42456 (Monument record) - A World War Two barrage balloon site on the northern part of the South Denes, Great Yarmouth

January 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two barrage balloon site is visible on aerial photographs from 1944 on the northern part of the South Denes, Great Yarmouth (S1)-(S2). The site consists of two concentric rings of concrete tethering blocks with a central balloon, and an associated operational building. A nissen hut and another two ancillary buildings are also present. This barrage balloon site is located within a dense area of World War Two military defences, such as NHER 42435 and 43323. The site is centred on TG 5301 0471, although the actual balloon mooring is centred on TG 5302 0471. There are a great many barrage balloon moorings in the Great Yarmouth area, including a second on the Denes, located further south (NHER 42455), and another three in Gorleston-on-Sea (NHER 42281, 42291 and 42457). The siting of these would suggest that they have been placed around the perimeter of the main town and harbour area, that which required the greatest defence.

The actual balloon is visible in May 1944 (S1) and this is moored to two full concentric rings of concrete circular blocks. The central base for the balloon is hexagonal, with a square feature in the centre. At TG 5299 0472 is a rectangular concrete base, 7m by 3m, upon which a rectangular structure is standing in May 1944 (S1), although this cannot be seen clearly. It seems likely that this building is associated with the operation of the site. The remains of similar structures was identified at the other barrage balloon sites in Gorleston-on-Sea, see NHER 42281, 42291, 42455 and 42457.

To the east of the barrage balloon are three rectangular structures. At TG 5298 0473 is a curved profile hut, measuring 12m by 5m, and this is probably a nissen hut. The further two structures are both approximately 4.5m by 3.5m. These huts probably provided accommodation and equipment stores for the barrage balloon site.
S. Massey (NMP), 25 January 2006.