Monument record HLY 051 - World War II strongpoint.

A World War II strongpoint, located at an important strategic point on Barthorp's Creek in order to defend the water control mechanisms and crossing point in case of invasion, can be seen on various photographs taken in the 1940's. The strongpoint consisted of a number of different components constructed over a number of years. In Aug 1941 a number of different features are visible, including the barbed wire circuit that surrounds the strongpoint, a line of anti-tank cubes forming a defence and road block along the coastal side of the emplacement, a small area of minefield, also on the coastal side of the the strongpoint and some possible structures in the central area around the sluice. A slit trench can also be seen near the tree cover at the northern end of the enclosure. (S1) By October of the same year a short, but substantial, bank and trench feature can be seen on the eastern side, although it is difficult to determine whether they are of a military nature. (S2) In 1942 an outer belt of barbed wire is visible, as well as more slit trenches to the north. (S3) By Oct 1945 all the barbed wire has been removed, however it is only at this point that the full extent of the minefield becomes clear. (S4) The strongpoint also contains a number of structures which cannot be seen clearly on earlier photographs but include three pillboxes, a hexagonal one at TM36734392, a circular one at TM36814390 and a square one at TM36834407. (S5)
The pillboxes are still in existence according to the modern base map.
Pillbox seen as part of field survey of Suffolk Coast - square pillbox, rear blast door. Brick built and concrete covered. Sea wall set around it. Rear to W with double firing slots. S6

Hexagonal pillbox plotted from aerial photographs. It formed part of a strongpoint on Barthorp's Creek (S7).

Single-storey square plan pillbox, flat reinforced concrete roof covered with earth. Rear entrance infilled with earth. Pillbox built into dyke. Embrasures in corners of SE elevation (bricked up). Admiralty design (S8).

Near bridge to E of Hollesley village. Jumbled and very overgrown pile of concrete and brick rubble. These may be the remains of a pillbox listed by Henry Wills at TM 367441 and of which there is no other trace (S9).