NHER 38383 (Monument record) - World War Two earthworks

October 2003. Norfolk NMP
Large bank and ditch earthworks on Kelling Heath visible on RAF aerial photographs from 1946 (S1) and 1950 (S2). The features are opposite each other on facing slopes of slight valley leading up onto the top of the heath. On the 1946 RAF aerial photographs (S1) a road can be seen to run in-between them. The earthworks on the northern slope consist of a large bank, running from TG 10018 42414 to TG 10034 42409, measuring 16m by 4m, and another narrower bank running from TG 10036 42418 to TG 10022 42423. In between these two banks is a oblong area cut into the slope, measuring 16m by 3.5m. On the southern slope a similar bank runs from TG 10012 42390 to TG 10034 43287, 22m long and 3.5m wide. Behind this, again cut into the slope is an oblong ditch from TG 10010 42385 to TG 10034 42382, 24.5m by 6m. The exact purpose of these earthworks is not clear, although it seems likely that they acted as some sort of firing butts covering the road.
Also cut into the slope above the road at TG 1007 4241, is a curvilinear embanked enclosure, measuring 12m by 9.5m. The bank is up to 2m wide and has an entrance to the east. The internal area is sunken slightly. This also seems to be a gun position/emplacement. It seems most likely that these were constructed as part of training exercises, although they may actually have been attempting to defend approaches to the heath.
S.Massey (NMP), 18 November 2003.