Second World War pillbox, near The Roos (EHER 21534)

A World War Two type 24 pillbox situated to the west of Debden airfield. This pillbox once formed part of the defences of the Royal Air Force Debden military airfield. It is situated in a field to the west of the Debden-Saffron Walden road, opposite The Roos. It is thought to have been constructed in the period 1940-1941.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: A World War Two pillbox to the west of Debden airfield, "Wendens Ambo" (sic), TL 546 360. This type 22 (or type FW3/24?) concrete pillbox once formed part of the defences of the Royal Air Force Debden military airfield. It is situated in a field to the west of the Debden to Saffron Walden road, opposite The Roos. It is thought to have been constructed in the period 1940-1941. <1> Errata in <1>: the area around The Roos lies in Saffron Waldon Civil parish, not Wendens Ambo. Source one refers to the pillbox as a "type 22" but also a type FW3/24, which are mutually exclusive. <2> April 2013. Field visit. High on an open field to the south-west of the Roos farm, stands a typical FW3/24, hexagonal, concrete pillbox. Its entrance is on the south side, with loopholes each side of it. The remaining five faces each have one loophole. The thickness of the walls is 15 inches. Inside there are surviving shelf supports (no shelves) beneath the loopholes, and a central Y-shaped pillar. The pillbox is in reasonable condition although there is a crack at the level of the loophole all round the exterior. Five photos of site. <3>