Monument record ARG 027 - A World War II strongpoint and possible command centre.

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Summary

A World War II strongpoint and possible command centre, Aldringham cum Thorpe

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 47571 61235 (181m by 376m)
Map sheet TM46SE
Civil Parish ALDRINGHAM CUM THORPE, SUFFOLK COASTAL, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (6)

Full Description

A strongpoint of World War II date is visible as structures and earthworks on aerial photographs, centred on TM47596129. On photographs from 1940 a pillbox is visible situated on the cliff, centred on TM47616137, surrounded by barbed wire that extends onto the beach (S1). A possible second pillbox is located immediately to the east of the barbed wire on the beach at circa TM47656137. However, in 1941 the barbed wire arrangement changes to enclose Ness House and it's grounds, and a series of slit trenches and weapons pits are dug within this new boundary (S2). The function of the extended site is not clear, but a number of paths appear to lead from the newly enclosed Ness House to the coastal battery recorded as ARG 026, suggesting that the sites may be related. It is possible that Ness House had been requisitioned for the war effort as a barracks or command centre. (S3, S4).

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <S1> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 2/BR11/14 12-12 08-Jul-1940.
  • <S2> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 2A/BR167 16-17 17-Dec-1941.
  • <S3> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF AC/59 113-115 19-Jun-1942.
  • <S4> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/1673 3238-3239 28-Jul-1946.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (2)

Record last edited

Jun 7 2013 1:17PM

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