Site of Second World War ‘Diver’ Site No. N33, South of Bridgewick Farm, Dengie (EHER 14976)

Now destroyed. The site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box at the Dengie Marshes. It was armed with eight 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns, and manned by 553 battery of 163 (Mixed) Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment on 24th November 1944, and was equipped with BTL Predictor, GL Mark II, and SCR584 Radars. It formed part of 37 Anti Aircraft Artillery Brigade.

1995. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: desktop research. WWII gun emplacement and associated buildings. <1> AA site and army camp probably dating to 1944 for defence against V1 Rockets. <2> <3> November 2008. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: desktop research and site visit. A report, compiled in 1996 from wartime documentation, lists the ‘Diver’ anti-aircraft gun sites in East Essex in summer/autumn 1944. Site No. N33, SW of Bridgewick Farm at Military Grid Reference M459178, is recorded, on 24 November, as being equipped with eight 3.7 inch Mk IIc guns, manned by 163 (M) Regiment 553 Battery. <4> An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 shows the site very clearly. There were around 40 Nissen huts in four rows, two in a crescent and two straight. These were situated at the North end of the site, in a field to the West of Bridgewick Farm. Some 150 yards to the South were the guns, in two rows of four. <5> By 1960, just one Nissen hut remained although this may have been moved here for use as an agricultural building. <6> By 2008, during a site visit, it was noted that the Nissen hut in the aerial photograph from 1960 too had gone and the site is an open field. <3> NRHE data transfer: no new information. NRHE summary description: Site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box at the Dengie Marshes. It was armed with eight 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns, and manned by 553 battery of 163 (Mixed) Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment on 24th November 1944, and was equipped with BTL Predictor, GL Mark II, and SCR584 Radars. It formed part of 37 Anti Aircraft Artillery Brigade. <4>