Monument record DUN 040 - World War II anti-aircraft battery, Diver Battery T2

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Summary

An anti-aircraft battery, diver battery T2 of World War II date to the south of Great Dingle Farm & adjacent to Sandymount Covert

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 48295 72837 (87m by 246m)
Map sheet TM47SE
Civil Parish DUNWICH, SUFFOLK COASTAL, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

An anti-aircarft battery of World War II date is visible as a structure adjacent to Sandymount Covert at TM48297280 on 1945 aerial photographs (S1,S2). The battery consists of 4 gun emplacements, three or four nissen huts, a couple of trenches and some trackways. It does not appear on photographs from the early period of the war, and it is thus likely to be part of the DIVER strip of batteries, which were constructed on Britains coasts in the latter stages of World War II. It can be seen on photographs from Jul 1945 and Oct 1945.
Probably extends to within Sandymount Covert as suggested by visit by Paul Hill whose email is as follows:-
"In woods called 'Sandymount Covert' Grid reference 481 728 I saw what looked like two concrete platforms in the undergrowth about 30 feet from the path on the right if you were heading south-west on the path. Each platform turned out to be a perimeter of preformed blocks less than a foot wide they were each 12 feet wide by 24 long (very approximate) and at leat a foot deep where I exposed more of it. They were about 40 feet apart and between them but set further back was a large concrete block.
The blocks that made up the perimeters of the platforms had regular holes in them for what looked like posts. The platforms were aligned on what I guessed was a north south alignment but I had no compass. in the undergrowth I tripped on several pieces of rusting metal stake and some cable. A tree was growing from the inside edge of one of the platforms and I would guess the tree had to be at least 30 years old. There was also a rusted pipe that was well fixed in the ground and appeared to go deep.
I guessed at the time they might be an artillery position (for towed weapons?), pointing as they do at the long flat beach between walberswick and Dunwich, but the woodland site might interfere?? The concrete was cheap of the type I have seen used on many ww2 fortifications. I could not find any record of these on the Defence of Great Britain Data base and they do not appear on the OS map or local information maps."(S3).
Site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) battery in the Diver Strip at south of Great Dingle Farm. It was armed with four 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns equipped with Predictor BTL, and Radar AA No.3 Mark V when it was deployed here on 24th November 1944, and was manned by 415 Battery of 124 Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment. It formed part of 40 Heavy Anti Aircraft Brigade deployment (S4).

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <S1> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. 106G/UK/543 Frms3162-3163 24-Jul-1945.
  • <S2> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. 106G/UK929 Frms3119-3120 16-Oct-1945.
  • <S3> Bibliographic reference: Email. Paul Hill to Colin Pendleton (SCCAS), 20/02/2008.
  • <S4> Index: English Heritage. Pastscape.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Sep 21 2013 10:44AM

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