NHER 38920 (Monument record) - World War Two defences

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A line of three World War Two weapons pits and a possible spigot mortar gun emplacement are visible on the aerial photographs on the top of Stoney Hill, Cromer (S1 and S2). Traces of barbed wire and a slit trench are also visible. The site is centred on TG 2280 4178. These features sit within a larger area of World War Two coastal defences and military training features near the cliff tops (NHER 32566-7, 38912).

A line of three possible pits is visible on the summit. Although there is evidence of recently disturbed ground in 1942 (S1) no distinct earthworks van be identified, suggesting that these were constructed in-between 1942 and April 1946. The clearest earthwork on the aerial photographs is the northern example, which consists of a well-defined oval pit, with a surrounding bank (S2). The central pit is quite hard to distinguish due to surrounding disturbed ground and digging. Although a possible central circular structure is visible at TG 2279 4177, which is approximately 1m in diameter. The feature is quite hard to distinguish on the aerial photographs but it is possible that it is a spigot mortar emplacement and similar small gun emplacement. Two other poorly defined pits are visible on the hill. It seems likely that these were all dug as part of military training and are weapons pits. A possible curvilinear trench may be visible encircling the seaward side of the hill in 1942 (S1), again this may be a military practice trench.

In 1942 it appears that the bank of the existing field boundary to the immediate south of the hill may have barbed wire on top of it, as it casting a deep shadow when compared with the rest of the bank (S2). Although this is not certain as none is visible in oblique aerial photographs from 1941 (S3). A possible line of barbed wire running up the side of the hill in April 1946 (S2) towards the weapons pits.

A previously recorded stone built oval enclosure on the National Monuments Record at this location has been reinterpreted as a natural feature following a field visit. No evidence of anything resembling an enclosure was visible on the aerial photographs. The recorded presence of a 'recent structure with depressions and iron uprights' and 'two recent depressions…one has four iron uprights in it' (NMR TG24SW 3). These iron uprights and recent pits are likely to be the remains of the World War Two weapons pits and gun emplacement mentioned above.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 October 2004.