NHER 38407 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two gun emplacements, weapons pits and trenches on Kelling Heath

January 2004. Norfolk NMP.
An area of dense World War Two gun emplacements and weapons pits on Kelling Heath constructed during World War Two and visible on RAF aerial photographs from 1946 (S1) and 1950 (S2). It would appear that this area of the heath was used quite heavily for training purposes. None of the features are particularly well defined or clear on aerial photographs therefore an extent of area of the site has been mapped, rather than every possible pit. The clearer and better-defined earthworks of some of the gun emplacements have been mapped individually as they could be picked out in stereo. Similar sized areas of disturbed ground probably indicate further examples, however no definite earthworks could be mapped in most cases. In particular the area centred on TG 0995 4174 has a large group of these possible features, although they are too indistinct to map.
Despite this several groups of gun emplacements could be identified. To the southwest of the site is a cluster of five examples. At TG 0985 4169 is a sub-circular bank 9.5m in diameter, with an entrance gap to the west, surrounding a sunken area. At TG 0987 4170 is a horseshoe shaped hollow, 5m by 4m, surrounded by a narrow bank with an entrance to the north west. TG 0988 4172 is an oblong hollowed area, 4.5m by 3.5m, again with a bank with entrance to the west. At TG 0992 4172 is a roughly triangular emplacement 5m long, surrounded by a thin bank, entrance roughly west. Further to the north are another three emplacements. At TG 0991 4179 is another triangular hollow, 7m by 5m. At TG 0989 4180 is a almost lozenge shaped emplacement, 8m by 4m, surrounded by a 1.5m wide bank with entrance to the north west. At TG 0987 4185 is a horseshoe shaped hollow 6.5m by 5.5m oriented to the south east. To the east of the site is another group of four possible emplacements. At TG 0998 4183 a horseshoe shaped sunken area, 6m across, surrounded by a bank and open to the south east. At TG 1001 4180 is a large oval sunken area, 11m by 9m, surrounded to the north east by a semi-circular bank. At TG 1002 4177, an oval bank, 8.5m by 6m, surrounds a hollowed area. At TG 1007 4185 is another oval sunken area, 7m by 6m, surrounded by a narrow bank with an entrance to the north west.
The rest of the area of completely covered with groups and lines of weapons pits. These have not been mapped individually, as these features basically cover the whole of the heath. Three lines pits are visible centred on TG 1009 4188. Two main clusters are also visible to the west of the site, at TG 0984 4178 and TG 0982 4169. Both of these groups have small sections of slit trench in amongst them, in particular the southern group. There is one possible long stretch of trench running from TG 0981 4170 to TG 0991 4181, however it is possible that this linear is caused by a vehicle trail, as no definite depth can be identified in stereo.
S. Massey (NMP), 8 January 2004.

November 2005.
A small mound has been located at TG 1009 4188. it is possible this feature is associated with World War Two activity. It was not convincing as a barrow, see NHER 27984 for discussion.
S. Massey (NMP), 12 December 2005.