NHER 43342 (Monument record) - World War Two military buildings and defences, South Denes

March 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A group of World War Two military buildings and defensive structures is visible on aerial photographs on the South Denes, Great Yarmouth (S1)-(S2). The structures are located alongside the East Quay and are probably associated with the Naval activity at the quayside and harbour. A Naval barrage balloon store for naval ‘Kite’ type balloons is located 100m to the north along the quay (NHER 27640). The southern section of the East Quay is covered with large mounds of coke or coal presumably for the vessels in the harbour. The whole of the South Denes was heavily defended with a variety of pillboxes, gun positions, trenches and barbed wire, see NHER 43323 for overview of area. The site is centred on TG 5289 0501.

At TG 5289 0501 in 1941 is a group of buildings enclosed within a rectangular walled or fenced-off area (S1). The buildings are rectangular and have pitched roofs. The largest structure measures 13m by 9.5m. It is possible that these buildings are pre-World War Two in origin, although it is clear that they have been incorporated into the World War Two military activity on the Denes. If the buildings are earlier it is possible that they relate to the World War One Naval aeroplane and sea plane station at this location (NHER 13631). Another rectangular pitched-roof structure, 30m by 10m, is visible to the north alongside the quay, at TG 5287 0506, again this may pre-date World War Two. Two square concrete bases are visible to the east. These are not visible in 1941 and therefore represent the locations of structures constructed and removed in-between 1941 and 1944. A larger rectangular base is also located alongside the quay to the north. This has been removed by 1941 and may represent a World War One or post medieval structure. Several areas of hardstanding, probably representing former structures have also been recorded to the north (NHER 27641).

Centred on TG 5292 0493 is a surfaced road or track running from the quayside. Positioned along this track are two curved-profile huts, 11.5m by 6.5m, these are possibly nissen huts. The roofs of these structures have been camouflaged with paint. An elongated mound next to one of these huts may be a covered air raid shelter. These structures and the road are constructed in-between February 1941 and 1944. A number of small slit trenches and weapons pits are visible in amongst these structures.
S. Massey (NMP), 6 March 2006.