NHER 27509 (Monument record) - Possible World War Two defences

July 2005. Norfolk NMP.
Several possible World War Two anti invasion and/or civil defences are visible as structures and earthworks on aerial photographs (S1) and (S2), centred at TG 5215 0814. They surround the former suspension bridge across the River Bure (since demolished) which was closed for safety reasons between 1931 and 1952 (S3) but may still have been regarded as a strategic location requiring anti invasion defences. They comprise several different features for each of which alternative (i.e. non military) interpretations are possible.

To the south of the eastern end of the bridge (at TG 5217 0813) is a small rectangular structure, apparently roofless, with a traversed entrance on its west side. This type of entrance is typical of military buildings and this may be a small pillbox, emplacement or shelter of some kind. Alternatively it might be associated with the use of the bridge or the surrounding area, or might have been a municipal amenity such as a urinal. It was constructed after 1930 (S3) and removed before March 1955 (S4). Two V shaped trenches to its north and south (at TG 5217 0817 and TG 5216 0810) may be slit trenches but could alternatively be municipal flower beds or relate to the removal of structures, either military or civilian. To the south of the west end of the bridge, an L shaped arrangement of interconnected, revetted pits may also be a military installation. It does not appear to be a recently excavated earthwork on the earliest available aerial photographs, which date from 1944, e.g. (S1), and perhaps dates to the early years of the war. It may have supported a superstructure which had already been removed, or was perhaps part of an air raid shelter.

Two tollhouses shown on (S5) and various barriers (not mapped) which are also visible on the aerial photographs may have been put to military use, but in the case of the latter they are more likely to be relatively permanent roadblocks erected due to the closure of the bridge rather than purely being anti invasion defences. The bridge was demolished and the area landscaped in the 1970s (S3), this event presumably removing any last traces of the World War Two defences.
S. Tremlett (NMP), 20 July 2005.