Site of Second World War ‘Diver’ Site No. N41, East of Brook Cottage, Dengie (EHER 16016)

Now destroyed. The site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box south of East Ware Farm. It was armed with eight 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns, on 13th August 1944, but this was reduced to two guns by 24th November 1944. It was redeployed to TM010099 on 28th February 1945, and re-equipped. It originally comprised about 23 Nissen huts, and by 1960, only six or seven of these remained extant. It was finally destroyed by the time it was visited in 2008.

September 1999. World War Two Defences in Essex survey: desktop assessment A Second World War anti aircraft site and associated buildings. A possible 'Diver' site for use against V1 rockets. <1> <2> November 2008. World War Two Defences in Essex survey: desktop assessment 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. N41 is listed three times. On 13 August 1944 it is recorded at Military Grid Reference M 455195 with no other details. On 28 August 1944, it is stated to be at M 455191 with eight 3.7 inch Mk IIc guns. No manning mentioned. On 24 November 1944, the guns have been reduced to two. Again, no manning details. <3> Fortunately, this site can be clearly seen on August 1945 aerial photographs. It lay on the South side of Asheldham Brook, about 23 huts, mainly Nissen, in two East-West rows. The soil marks of four guns can be seen to the East of the huts. <4> By 1960, six or seven huts still remained, standing by the roadside. <5> It was noted during a site visit in November 2008, that these too had gone and the site has been returned to agriculture. <2> NRHE data transfer: no new information. NRHE summary description: Site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box south of East Ware Farm. It was armed with eight 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns, on 13th August 1944, but this was reduced to two guns equipped with BTL Predictor, and SCR584 Radars on 24th November 1944. It was redeployed to TM010099 on 28th February 1945, and re-equipped with Predictor AA No.10 Mark I and Radar AA No.3 Mark V, and manned by 219 Battery of 124 Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment. It formed part of 37 Anti Aircraft Artillery Brigade. <4> Note: the NRHE records this site slightly further North, at TM 01000 01200, but this may be an error. See also EHER 81365 which may be a duplication of this record and should be considered alongside it.