Site of Second World War ‘Diver’ Site No. N43, North of Twizzlefoot Bridge, Burnham-on-Crouch (EHER 21314)

The site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box near Twizzlefoot Bridge. On 13 August 1944 it is recorded at Military Grid Reference M422155 and two weeks later, on 28 August 1944, at M417156. The latter entry states that it had eight 3.7 inch MK Iic guns, but no manning is given.

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. N43, North of Twizzlefoot Bridge, is listed twice. On 13 August 1944 it is recorded at Military Grid Reference M422155 and two weeks later, on 28 August 1944, at M417156. The latter entry states that it had eight 3.7 inch MK IIc guns, but no manning is given. <1> The position of the earlier entry is preferred. An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 shows soil marking here with a ridged-roof hut standing at TQ 9749 9719, a hut which still survived in 1960. <2> <3> During a site visit in 2008, it was noted that the hut has now gone and the area is open landscape. <4> NRHE summary description, 1478291: Site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box near Twizzlefoot Bridge. It was armed with eight 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns on 28th August 1944, and was redeployed to TQ 972 972 on 28th August 1944. <1> NRHE summary description, 1478292: Site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box west of Twizzlefoot Bridge. It was armed with two 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns after it was redeployed here from TQ 977 971 on 28th August 1944. <1>