Site of Second World War 'Diver’ Site No. N34, in the Diver Box at the Dengie Marshes, South of Grange Farm (EHER 16017)

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 534 battery of 142 (Mixed) Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment on 24th November 1944, and was equipped with BTL Predictor, and SCR584 Radars. It formed part of 37 Anti Aircraft Artillery Brigade.

1995. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: desktop research. WWII AA site and associated buildings built ? for use against V1 rockets. <1> - <5> 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. N34, S of Grange Farm at Military Grid Reference M 462198, is recorded, on 24 November 1944, as being equipped with eight 3.7 inch Mk IIc guns, manned by 142 (M) Regiment 534 Battery. <6> Aerial photographs taken in August 1945 show it, although half-hidden by cloud. The site lay South of Grange Farm: more than 30 huts, mainly Nissen, in two rows in a crescent formation. To the East of the huts, the soil marks of eight guns can be seen, in two rows each side of a looped track. <7> In 1960, one long Nissen hut could be seen. This appears to be too long and was probably constructed post-war for agricultural use by bolting together two normal Nissen huts from this or another site. <5> No comments from the site visit. <8> 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 534 battery of 142 (Mixed) Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment on 24th November 1944, and was equipped with BTL Predictor, and SCR584 Radars. It formed part of 37 Anti Aircraft Artillery Brigade. <6>