NHER 43324 (Monument record) - World War Two searchlight emplacement, South Denes, Great Yarmouth harbour

March 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The site of a possible World War Two searchlight emplacement within a barbed wire enclosure is visible on aerial photographs alongside South Beach Parade, South Denes, Great Yarmouth. This searchlight would have been associated with the anti-torpedo-boat battery to the south, see NHER 33953 and 42435. The site is centred on TG 5328 0423 and is located within a larger area of World War Two defences and military training features on the South Denes, see NHER 43323 for details.

The site consists of a rectilinear barbed wire enclosure centred on TG 5328 0423, approximately 55m by 45m. Within this at TG 5329 0424 is a circular area of lighter coloured and compacted ground, 6m in diameter. A tall central structure is visible within this feature. This is possibly a late World War Two searchlight site utilising a radar controlled 150-mm projector mounted on a wheeled trailer. A small rectilinear hut or concrete structure is visible in the northeastern corner of the barbed wire enclosure and this is probably a generator hut. A cleared area of ground or the remains of a concrete building base is visible in the opposite corner of the enclosure, although this has already been removed by 1944 (S1). A number or small slit trenches or weapons pits are also visible.
S. Massey (NMP), 2 March 2006.