Second World War Anti-Tank Cubes, Lee-over-Sands (EHER 10749)

Anti-Tank Cubes, Lee-over-Sands

Aerial photograph 1996 An aerial photograph taken in 1946 shows a long complex of approximately 211 concrete blocks stretching from Ray Creek (at TM 1040 1237) eastwards to a small lagoon (at TM 1055 1237). From the east end of the lagoon (at TM 1069 1237) the line extends again eastwards to the south east corner of a house (at TM 1099 1244), then south-easterly across an inlet (to TM 1108 1241) passing north of a pillbox (SMR 10750). In addition, blocks can be seen joining two houses at TM 1098 1245. In all, there were approx. 44 blocks west of the lagoon and approximately 167 east of it, totally bridging the gap between the saltings west and east of Lee-over-Sands. <1> Many, probably most, of these blocks still remain although some are now covered in sand. Those at the E end of the line are larger than the others and appear, at a distance, to be in particularly good condition. The survival of the W end of the line is not known. Only the central part of the line, by a small car park, has been visited. Three photos of site <2> <3> Field visit by Fred Nash 2009 Most of the length of the line was walked in November 2009 by Fred Nash. Very little survives at the west end, just a few remains lying in the mud of a small creek. The centre part is almost covered in mud, probably where the mud has been dredged from a wide creek and piled up for a long length around them. At the east end there is excellent survival where the line passes to the south of Beach Road, to the north of the pillbox and across the inlet mentioned earlier. The small blocks measure 3' 6" square. The large ones are 5' square. <5> Nine photos of site. <4> SITE ASSESSMENT 2009: This long run of anti-tank cubes, combined with the pillbox (SMR 10750), presents a group of anti-invasion defences unlike any other in Essex. As such, every effort should be made to ensure the continued survival of both the cubes and the pillbox. <5>