Site of Second World War ‘Diver’ Site, seafront, Clacton-on-Sea (EHER 21179)

Site of Second World War ‘Diver’ Site, now destroyed.

WWII Defence of Clacton A ground level photograph taken on the seafront at Clacton-on-Sea during World War Two shows a row of 3.7-inch Heavy Anti-Aircraft guns mounted on fixed bases. A soldier leans against the nearest. As the photograph is, in fact, a photocopy the quality is not perfect and it cannot be said how many guns there are, possibly five or six. Across the front of the guns a staggered row of anti-tank cubes runs along the promenade (see SMR 21176). <1> From a number of distinct features the site is easily identifiable as the edge of the greensward on rising ground immediately off the promenade opposite Collingwood Road. From the configuration of the guns, lack of proper emplacements and setting, this was almost certainly a ‘Diver’ site, an anti-aircraft gun position set up quickly to combat V1 flying bombs rather than enemy aircraft. Despite the handwritten date of ‘c. 1940-41’ it was probably taken in late 1944. Plan of defences, 1944 A plan of the defences along the seafront at Clacton-on-Sea exists in the Essex Record Office. This was drawn in July 1944 by the Royal Engineers in Colchester and the War Department Land Agency. The area of the greensward is hatched out with the legend ‘Greensward containing hard standings’. <2> An aerial photograph taken in July 1946 shows nothing of the guns or the platforms on which they had stood. However, lining the greensward along Marine Parade West, in two distinct areas almost up to Trafalgar Road, are up to 20 regular rectangular patches, probably where the huts had stood which accommodated the members of the gun battery. <3> One photo taken of site. <4> <5>