Site of Second World War ‘Diver’ Site No. A8, South of East Wick, Burnham-on-Crouch (EHER 21313)

Now destroyed. The site of a Second World War 'Diver' Site, No. A8, is recorded at this location, equipped with eight 3.7 inch Mk IIc guns, manned by 1RM Regiment. It appears very likely that, although site No. A8 is here recorded as an individual monument, it may in fact have been located on the field to the North, 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. A8, South of East Wick at Military Grid Reference M445144, is recorded, on 26 July 1944, as being equipped with eight 3.7 inch Mk IIc guns, manned by 1RM Regiment. <3> An aerial photograph taken in May 1945 shows nothing at this exact location. However, immediately to the North, in the next field, there are about 40 huts with the soil marks of eight guns. <2> This is identified as site N31 (EHER 14977), known to be manned by 82 Regiment on 24 November 1944. It appears very likely that, although site No. A8 is here recorded as an individual monument, it may in fact have been located on the field to the North, later taken over by 82 Regiment and renumbered. <3> NRHE data transfer: no new information. NRHE summary description: Site of Second World War heavy anti aircraft artillery (Diver) battery in the Diver Box near East Wick Farm. It was armed with eight 3.5-inch guns when deployed on 26th July 1944, and was manned by the 1st Royal Marine Regiment. It formed part of the 37 Anti Aircraft Brigade deployment. <3>