Second World War Pillbox, Pump Hill, St Osyth (EHER 21349)

The site of a Second World War modified type 22 concrete pillbox at Bush Paddock. The pillbox has six embrasures which are reinforced by 0.5 inch thick steel plates set in the concrete each side of the embrasure opening.

To the East of St Osyth, at the bottom of Pump Hill, a small river crosses beneath Clacton Road. This would have been a natural position to defend the approach into the town from the east, probably with a road barrier on the bridge. On the north side of the road, c 30 yards west of the bridge, stands an FW3/22, concrete pillbox. The low entrance is on the north side, with anti-ricochet walling. The loopholes are of the large type, with steel side pieces. Inside, there is no central pillar although, presumably, there would have been one originally. The outside walls are 15” thick. Much of the pillbox is covered in ivy and difficult to see from the road. The pillbox has 6 embrasures which are reinforced by 0.5in steel plates set in the concrete each side of the embrasure opening. <1> <2> Site visit by Fred Nash, Nov 2009 Five photos of site. <3>