Monument record HLY 086 - World War II strongpoint and later temporary camp.

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Summary

A possible World War II strongpoint and later temporary camp, Hollesley parish

Location

Grid reference Centred TM 37769 45926 (235m by 242m)
Map sheet TM34NE
Civil Parish HOLLESLEY, SUFFOLK COASTAL, SUFFOLK

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

A possible barbed wire enclosure or strongpoint of early World War II date, and a possible military camp of later World War II date are visible as structures on aerial photographs, Hollesley parish, centred on circa TM37764593. About 550m of possible barbed wire can be seen on aerial photographs of 1942, creating an irregular enclosure of circa 1.6 hectares that encompasses the junction of two field boundaries and a length of trackway, a typical location for a military strongpoint. However, although it is unlikely it is possible that this feature is not military in nature and was caused by agricultural activity such as the spreading of manure. Unfortunately the photographs are of poor quality and it is not possible to be sure. By 1943 the barbed wire has been removed and a number of possibly military temporary structures of about 10 x 6m have been erected along the trackway. These temporary structures are also visible on aerial photographs of late 1945, although they are in a different arrangement, and change again between September and October 1945. It is possible that the structures are not military in nature, and they do resemble the hay ricks that were constructed after harvest for the storage of hay over the winter. However, in such an active and changing military landscape, the possibility that they are camouflaged military features cannot be discounted. (S1-4).

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <S1> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF BR/289 17-18 07-JAN-1942.
  • <S2> Photograph: USAAF. USAAF Air Photograph. US 7PH/GP/LOC132 5018-9 30-DEC-1943.
  • <S3> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/832 3121-3 23-SEP-1975.
  • <S4> Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/929 4438-9 16-OCT-1945.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jul 30 2013 1:39PM

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