NHER 45066 (Monument record) - Sites of World War Two defences surrounding Potter Heigham Bridge

September 2006. Norfolk NMP.
World War Two defences are visible as structures and earthworks on aerial photographs (S1)-(S3), centred around TG 4197 1848. They surrounded the road and rail crossings over the River Thurne at Potter Heigham, clearly an important tactical position in the event of an invasion. The most obvious element of the defences was a perimeter barrier of barbed wire or similar material. This enclosed not only the river crossings, but also the adjacent buildings and boat yard. On aerial photographs taken in 1944 (S2), a possible road block, perhaps of wire, is visible to the south of the road bridge (NHER 8525), at TG 4206 1841. A pit or area of disturbed ground (at TG 4204 1838) and a small structure (at TG 4210 1840) could each equate to one of the four spigot mortar emplacements recorded in this area in Bird 1999 (S4). A further structure or similar feature is vaguely visible at TG 4183 1834 but is not clear enough to have been mapped. None of the defences is visible on more recent aerial photographs of the area, e.g. (S5).
S. Tremlett (NMP), 25 September 2006.