Second World War HAA Gun Site "C5 Colchester: Crockleford Heath", NE of Colchester (EHER 20118)

Site of Second World War heavy anti aircraft battery at Crockleford Heath, which formed part of the defences of Colchester. It was armed with four 3.7-inch mobile guns with GL Mark II radar in 1942, when it was manned by 229 Battery of the 71st Royal Artillery Regiment.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. NGRs: Gun Emplacements: TM 0472 2641 Accommodation Site: TM 0451 2639 Documented in contemporary records as "C5 Colchester: Crockleford Heath", a Second World War Heavy Anti-Aircraft gun site at Military Grid Reference M495446 north-east of Colchester. Equipment and manning at the site is documented at various dates <1>. It was armed with four 3.7-inch mobile guns with GL Mark II radar in 1942 An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 shows four square enclosures in a semi-circle facing S, on the S side of a track at Crockleford Heath. 250 yards to the W, the parch marks of c. 9 huts can be seen with perhaps one surviving hut. These are centred at TM 0451 2639. <2> August 1988. Site visit. The area of the gun emplacements is now a gravel pit although what may well be part of the base of the most westerly of the emplacements, evidenced by its position and projecting re-enforcement rod, can be seen. There is no sign of the accommodation hutting, the area being a small meadow. <3>