NHER 27206 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Possible World War Two earthworks and post medieval boundary

March 2004, Norfolk NMP
Earthworks of probable World War Two gun emplacements and slit trenches visible on aerial photographs from 1950 (S1) and 1969 (S2). These are likely to be part of World War Two training exercises or defensive fieldworks in the area. A medieval or post-medieval wood bank or boundary is also visible on these photographs of Croft Hill. The bank is approximately 57m long and 2.5m wide and bisects the area of woodland. It may be the remains of earlier land divisions on the hill, possibly fields. The name ‘Croft Hill’ may refer to this previous landuse. Although it may refer to the fact that the hill backs on to the fields associated with the Kelling street settlement.
On the RAF aerial photographs from 1950 a gun emplacement is visible at TG 0951 4256, consisting of a three sided bank and ditch structure. To the immediate west of this is a small section of zigzag slit trench. Several other areas of trenches are visible at TG 0954 4258 and TG 0957 4247, plus a stretch of trench running along the base of the eastern side of the hill from TG 0954 4255 to TG 0955 4249. These military features would appear to be World War Two in date, however they are not particularly visible on the 1946 aerial photographs of the site (S3). Although the gun emplacement can possibly be seen. It is possible that some of the features relate to post-war training on the site as the area persisted as a training site.
S. Massey (NMP), 08 March 2004.