Monument record ARG 049 - A World War II strongpoint on the Beach at Thorpeness.

A second world war strongpoint is visible as structures on the beach at Thorpeness, centred on TM47235934. The main feature of this strongpoint is an enclave on the beach, roughly 100 x 50m in size, defended by barbed wire and beach scaffolding, similar to that seen further to the north (see LCS 115). Roughly 0.5 hectares in area, this enclave appears to be located to both allow and control secure access to the sea from Thorpeness. In photographs from 1941and 1942, it is clear that a great deal of activity is taking place in this enclave (S1, S2). Unfortunately the scale and quality of the photographs do not allow a more detailed interpretation. This may also have resulted in an incomplete transcription of the structural elements of the enclave itself, and it is possible that stretches of barbed wire may have run inland between the housing at Thorpeness, but it is not possible to be sure. The enclave is partly bounded by, and composed of, elements of the anti-invasion beach defences that stretched along much of the Suffolk coast during World War II, specifically beach scaffolding that appears to be reinforced by barbed wire entanglements. Elements of the enclave are still visible in October 1945 (S3).