NHER 27363 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two barrage balloon

September 2005. Norfolk NMP.
The site of a World War Two barrage balloon is visible on aerial photographs taken from March 1944 onwards (S1 to S4), centred at TG 5288 0533. There are some signs of possible military activity at the site during the early years of the war. On aerial photographs taken in 1940/1941 (S5 to S6) a small, possibly circular structure is visible at approximately TG 5290 0534. This may or may not have had a military function; it is comparable to a group of contemporary structures visible to its north (part of NHER 27639). Areas of hardstanding (not mapped) visible at the same date at various places on the same plot of land (for example, at TG 5288 0530) probably relate to the pre War use of the area, perhaps being associated with the industrial buildings on the southern edge of the plot or even with World War One military activity in the area (compare NHER 27643). The small structure is not visible on later aerial photographs of the site although the areas of hardstanding remained into the later years of the war.

As with similar sites elsewhere in Great Yarmouth, the barrage balloon is first visible on aerial photographs taken in March 1944 (S1). The balloon was taken down during May 1944 (S2 to S3), when the concentric circles of tethering blocks are clearly visible. The central platform has been mapped as circular but was actually slightly polygonal. Some of the surrounding blocks appear slightly square in plan, but they are generally too small for any detail to be made out. The outer circle was probably once complete but is partially obscured on the consulted aerial photographs. Ancillary structures appear to be confined to a small hut on the northeast edge of the site; this was removed during May 1944 (S2 to S3). A concrete path lead from the hut towards the centre of the tethering array. The site was largely destroyed by June 1946 (S7).
S. Tremlett (NMP), 22 September 2005.