Monument record ARG 025 - A World War II coastal battery and associated features.

A World War II coastal battery and some associated features are visible as structures and earthworks on aerial photographs, centred on TM47606158. The battery is first visible on aerial photographs of 1940, as two gun houses in the grounds of The Dower House, Sizewell, two possible searchlight batteries on the cliff edge and a possible observation towers in the grounds of the Dower house. The structures appear to be newly constructed and the site was probably one of a number of emergency batteries that were built in 1940 (S1, S2). The road block at circa TM47596169 is already in place at this time, and was probably an early coastal anti-invasion feature, but the associated probable pillbox is not visible until December 1941. By 1941 further structures have been built immediately behind the gun houses and elsewhere in the grounds of the Dower House, centred on TM47516148, and many of the battery structures are now disguised (S3). A number of slit trenches are also dug to guard the perimeter of the site. By June 1942 barbed wire obstructions have been installed to further defend the site (S4) and also augment the coastal defences. The site is clearly visible on photographs from 1946 (S5). By 1975 a number of the structures have been retained and are visible on aerial photography (S6).
Also seen as part of the field survey of the Suffolk Coast - square concrete block buried in sand at intertidal level. 3m square, 20cm visible (thick). 4 metal rods set into top, standing 2-4cm proud. S7.
Also square brick built structure with heavy concrete roof. Divided into 3 rooms inside. Not standard pill box but with 4 rifle/gun points overloking sea and 4 to rear (E & W). Two large openings to N and one to S. Entrance on S facing wall. Gun ports look to be later additions - cuts into existing brick work. Evidence of previous extensions to N and S walls - concrete floors in undergrowth and unpointed brickwork on walls. S7
Also concrete block built wall running adjacent to site along cliff top for 90m. Has been pierced by numerous gun/rifle ports. S7