Site of Second World War ‘Diver’ Site No. A7, North of Old Montsale, Southminster (EHER 21318)

Now destroyed. A Second World War ‘Diver’ Site, No. A7, was recorded at this grid reference, equipped with eight 3.7 inch Mk IIc guns, manned by 1RM Regiment. It appears very possible that, although site No. A7 is here recorded as an individual monument, it may in fact have been located on the field to the NW, later taken over by 82 Regiment and renumbered

November 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. A7, on the Dengie at Military Grid Reference M454163, is recorded on 26 July 1944 as being equipped with eight 3.7 inch Mk IIc guns, manned by 1RM Regiment. <1> An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 shows nothing at this exact location, a field North of Old Montsale. However, immediately to the NW, in the next field, there are 50+ huts together with the soil marks of eight guns. <2> <3> Note: This is identified as Site N32 (EHER 14978) known to be manned by 82 Regiment on 21 November 1944. It appears very possible that, although site No. A7 is here recorded as an individual monument, it may in fact have been located on the field to the NW, later taken over by 82 Regiment and renumbered.