Second World War Pillbox, Lee-over-Sands (EHER 10750)

Second World War Pillbox, Lee-over-Sands

Aerial photograph 1996 An aerial photograph taken in 1946 shows a pillbox standing at the east end of Lee-over-Sands on the south side of a long row of concrete blocks (WWII anti-tank cubes). The entrance is on the east side. <1> The site has not been visited but from a distance it is, apparently, a concrete Type FW3/22 <2> Two photos of site. <3> <4> Site visit by Fred Nash, November 2009 The hexagonal concrete pillbox sits on a large concrete raft. The entrance is on the east side with a low wall around to prevent sea water getting in. There are six loopholes, two of them with Turnbull machine-gun fittings. Beneath these two loopholes the inner wall has been cut away to form steps, presumably to facilitate the use of the gun. There is anti-ricochet walling in the entrance. There is no central pillar, probably removed at some time after the war. <6> The pillbox measures 19' 3" across, with 3' 6" thick walls. Nine photos of site. <5> SITE ASSESSMENT 2009: Combined with the long run of extant anti-tank cubes which passes close to the pillbox across its north face, the survival at lee-over-Sands is impressive. No other site like it exists in Essex and every effort should be made to ensure its continued survival. <6>