NHER 52468 (Monument record) - Site of a World War Two searchlight emplacement

November 2009. Norfolk NMP.
A group of three circular soilmarks or areas of disturbed ground are visible on aerial photographs in 1946 (S1-S2) and possibly represent the remains of a World War Two military site. The site is centred on TG 2576 0350.
Possible interpretations for these features include a searchlight emplacement.
Another two more convincing World War Two searchlight batteries are located approximately 1.25km to the south (NHER 34192 and 52467). It would be unusual for there to be three possible searchlight sites so close to one another, although it must be noted that the two sites to the south may not have been in operation at the same time. These sites would have provided additional defence for the nearby Poringland and Stoke Holy Cross radar stations (NHER 14227, 32538) or perhaps protected them from aircraft attack whilst they were under construction. It is also possible that this site relates to a temporary military site of a different function. However it is also possible that they relate to three infilled pits, ponds or agricultural features. These features were mapped despite the uncertainty over their origin due to the high level of military sites in area. The possible remains of structures were visible in a strip down eastern side of field, although again these could be agricultural.
The three circular soilmarks and/or areas of disturbed ground are each 15-18m in diameter and the southern two have darker centres.
S. Horlock (NMP), 04 November 2009.