Site of Second World WarI Pillbox, back of beach, south of Southview Drive, Holland-on-Sea (EHER 10788)
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Summary
A type FW3/22 concrete pillbox with a protective 'skirt' up to the loopholes. It has now been destroyed.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | TM 2093 1650 (point) |
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Type and Period
Description
WWII Defence of Essex Survey
An aerial photograph taken in 1946 shows the indistinct shape of a pillbox, possibly with a protective skirt, at the back of the beach where a footpath descended from the cliff top. By 1960 a promenade had been built across this position. <1>
A ground level photograph of this area of the beach taken in March 1945, shows this pillbox very clearly. It was a type FW3/22 concrete pillbox with a protective 'skirt' up to the loopholes. The entrance was on the north side between the pillbox and the cliff face. <2> <3>
Defence of Clacton survey, 2006
A second ground-level photograph shows it was built onto the concrete face of the sea wall with steps alongside down to the beach. The entire construction is both massive and formidable. <4> <5>
Sources
- <1> SEX61261 Aerial Photograph: Hunting Surveys Limited. 1960. Run 19-084.
- <2> SEX61262 Photograph: Unknown. 1945. Holland-on-Sea.
- <3> SEX31431 Bibliographic reference: Wills, H.. 1985. Pillboxes: A Study of U.K. Defences 1940. p.28.
- <4> SEX67860 DESC TEXT: Kennell, R.. 2003. The Story of Holland-on-Sea during the Second World War. photo, frontispiece, March 1945.
- <5> SEX70635 DESC TEXT: Clacton VCH Group. 2008. Survey of World War Defences of Clacton.