NHER 43356 (Monument record) - World War Two flotilla and tank training site at Belton Common Wood and Fritton Lake

The Norfolk Heritage Explorer is a filtered version of the Norfolk HER intended for casual research. Please to consult the full record.

See also further .

Summary

The site of a probable World War Two flotilla and tank training site is visible on aerial photographs at Belton Common Wood and Fritton Lake. Fritton Lake or Decoy was used for training. An anti-seaplane cable was placed across the water and tanks were swum out, see NHER 13527 for details. The earthworks visible in Belton Common Wood consist of a series of wide and shallow scoops leading down to the water. These were presumably used for launching crafts and floating tanks during the exercises on the lake.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TG40SE
Civil Parish BELTON WITH BROWSTON, GREAT YARMOUTH, NORFOLK

Map

March 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The site of a probable World War Two flotilla and tank training site is visible on aerial photographs at Belton Common Wood and Fritton Lake (S1-S2). Fritton Lake or Decoy was used for training. An anti-seaplane cable was placed across the water and tanks were swum out, see NHER 13527 for details. The earthworks visible in Belton Common Wood consist of a series of wide and shallow scoops leading down to the water. These were presumably used launching crafts and floating tanks during the exercises on the lake. The site is centred on TG 4890 0112.

The gullies vary in width from 5-10m and are linked at the top by a perpendicular ditch, which follows the line of the modern path. These earthworks are still visible through the vegetation in 1953 (S2).
S. Massey (NMP), 7 March 2005.

  • --- Leaflet: Burgess, S.. 2012. Duplex Drive Amphibious Tanks at Fritton Lake. Somerleyton Estate.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2010. How a local beauty spot helped the countdown to D-day. 23 October.
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Vertical Aerial Photograph: RAF. 1944. RAF HLA/694 4111 26-MAR-1944 (NMR).
  • <S2> Vertical Aerial Photograph: RAF. 1953. RAF 82/728 0031-2 18-FEB-1953 (NMR).

Object Types (0)

Record last edited

Apr 11 2022 3:03PM

Comments and Feedback

Your feedback is welcome; if you can provide any new information about this record, please contact the Norfolk Historic Environment Record.