Site of Second World War 'Diver' Site No. A6, East of Middle Wick, Southminster (EHER 21319)

Now destroyed. The site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft artillery (Diver) battery in the Diver Box at Southminster. It was armed with eight 3.5-inch guns when deployed on 26th July 1944. It was manned by the 1st Royal Marine Regiment. It formed part of the 37 Anti Aircraft Brigade deployment.

October 2008. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey. A report, compiled in 1996 from wartime documentation, lists the ‘Diver’ anti-aircraft gun sites in East Essex in summer/autumn 1944. Site No. A6, on the Dengie at Military Grid Reference M465168, is recorded on 26 July 1944 as being equipped with eight 3.7 inch MK IIc guns, manned by 1RM Regiment. <1> Aerial photographs dated 1945 and 1946 show most of the ‘Diver’ sites on the Dengie very clearly; the huts and the gun positions can be accurately determined. However, in this case, there is absolutely nothing significant in the area of the MGR, only open fields with no structures or soil marks. The nearest ‘Diver’ site is identified as No. N50 (EHER 21320) half a mile to the West. It is probable that the MGR quoted is in fact incorrect, particularly as the position given would place the site out of line, to the East of the main belt of ‘Diver’ sites. <2> NRHE summary description: Site of Second World War heavy anti aircraft artillery (Diver) battery in the Diver Box at Southminster. It was armed with eight 3.5-inch guns when deployed on 26th July 1944. It was manned by the 1st Royal Marine Regiment. It formed part of the 37 Anti Aircraft Brigade deployment. <1>