Second World War Pillbox, Downhouse Farm, West of A130 (EHER 20200)
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Summary
A Second World War pillbox. It is a Type FW3/24 thin-walled (15") pillbox facing NW from an open hilltop position across farmland.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TL 7440 0136 (3m by 3m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | WEST HANNINGFIELD, CHELMSFORD, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
Immediately behind the garden (to the W of) Downhouse Farm is a Type FW3/24 thin-walled (15") pillbox facing NW from an open hilltop position across farmland. It is built of concrete, with a full-height entrance and 10" x 12" loopholes. On the roof, small piles of cement have been laid to break up the straight outline. This position, around 500 yards behind the main GHQ Line would have been selected to guard against paratroop attack rather than a frontal assault by enemy armour. <1>
One photo of site. <2>
Information from NRHE
Type 22 pillbox.
Type 22 concrete-faced pillbox. Square splayed embrasures. Concrete 'blobs' on roof edge to break up outline (camouflage).
LOCATION: N of Downhouse. <3> <4>
Note: Some pillboxes were initially misclassified by the Defence of Britain Survey. This pillboxes location has now been corrected within the database but its classification has not been changed. <3>
Sources
- <1> SEX31431 Bibliographic reference: Wills, H.. 1985. Pillboxes: A Study of U.K. Defences 1940.
- <2> SEX62338 Photograph: Nash, F.. 1999. Pillbox, Downhouse Farm, W of A130, West Hanningfield.
- <3> SEX75761 Field Survey Report: Council for British Archaeology. 1995-2002. The Defence of Britain Project.
- <4> SEX75778 Collection: Various. Various. Historic England Archive. DEB01.
Other References
- NRHE identifier: 1421899
- National Monuments Record: TL 70 SW 34