NHER 38916 (Monument record) - World War Two defences

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
An area of barbed wire obstructions, a possible pillbox and associated structures are visible on aerial photographs running inland from the cliff top, inbetween Warren Wood and the golf course at Cromer (S1 to S4). These features sit within a larger area of World War Two coastal defences and military training features near the cliff tops (NHER 32566 to 7, 38912 and 38920). The site is centred on TG 2285 4159. The barbed wire is visible in its most extensive form in 1940 (S1), running from the cliff to back as far as the Overstrand Road. By 1942 only the coastal half still exists (S2). It appears that many of the existing coastal paths and boundaries have been lined with barbed wire fences in this area.

A possible pillbox or similar defensive structure is visible at TG 2284 4175 in 1940. On verticals from 1942 (S3) this has the appearance of a short V-shape concrete structure, in the manner of a twin type 20 (2/20) pillbox, although too little detail can be seen of the structure on any of the photographs. It has possibly been camouflaged from the seaward perspective on the oblique aerial photographs (S2). A further structure is visible in the distance in 1940 at approximately TG 2282 4168 (S1). This appears to have been removed by 1941 (S2).

A possible rectangular structure is visible at TG 2277 4145 on an oblique aerial photographs from 1941 (S2). This is tucked within the back angle of the barbed wire zigzag. This structure has gone by 1942 (S3) and therefore it is either a temporary structure or an agricultural feature, which could be suggested by the presence of bales in the field.

All of the barbed wire and structures have been removed by 1946 (S4), other than a small rectilinear enclosure, possibly made of barbed wire at TG 2286 4178.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 October 2004