NHER 49225 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two military activity on The Furze

January 2007. Norfolk NMP.
A probable area of World War Two military activity is visible as the earthworks of pits and tracks on aerial photographs taken in 1946 (S1), centred at TG 3434 2801. Most look freshly dug; those that appear less fresh may date to earlier in the war. Areas of heathland and common were frequently used for training activity, whether by the army or by organisations such as the Home Guard. A second area of activity (NHER 45241) is visible 325m to the north.

The extent of the visible disturbance has been mapped. While the intensive and recent nature of the disturbance indicates military activity, it should be noted that at least some of the features could be small quarry pits or animal scrapes and burrows. Linear vegetation patterns could reflect former doles, relating to the use of the area as a poor allotment, but this is far from certain (see East Ruston Enclosure Map (S2) and compare NHER 22943 to the west). It is not clear from more recent aerial photographs, e.g. (S3), whether any features at the site still survive as earthworks.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 5 January 2007.