NHER 27604 (Monument record) - World War Two pillboxes and spigot mortar emplacements, South Denes

March 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A group of World War Two pillboxes, a spigot mortar emplacement and slit trenches is visible on aerial photographs on the South Denes, Great Yarmouth (S1)-(S3). The structures sit within an area of barbed wire and scaffolding obstructions. These form part of a much wider area of defences on the South Denes, consisting of a variety of pillboxes, gun positions, trenches and barbed wire, see NHER 43323 for overview of area. The site is centred on TG 5304 0520.

A type 24 is located at TG 5303 0521 and measures 6m across. This is positioned in the corner of the scaffolding protecting the western part of the Denes. On the opposite side of the scaffolding is a smaller square pillbox, probably a type 20. A small structure may be visible in-between this pillbox and the scaffolding to the west. Both pillboxes were camouflaged to hide their locations. A spigot mortar emplacements is also visible, at TG 5302 0521. The emplacement consists of an elongated slit trench with the spigot pedestal sitting in the centre. A zigzag section of slit trench is also visible to the south at TG 5304 0519. This pre-dates the erection of the scaffolding and is visible in 1941 (S1). The rest of the defences were constructed some time in-between February 1941 and 1944. This area of the South Denes has since been redeveloped. No trace of these defences was visible in 1978 (S4).
S. Massey (NMP), 6 March 2006.