Second World War pillbox at Debden Airfield, Wimbish (EHER 21537)

A Second World War type 24 pillbox located at the former Debden military airfield site, now Carver Barracks. it was thought to have been built between 1940 and 1941.The pillbox is situated at the north end of the shorter runway. It is constructed of brick and reinforced concrete. When it was visited in 1993 by Defence of Britain Project recorders, it was overgrown and said to be in a fair condition.

Plans of Debden Airfield dated 1945 and 1946, and aerial photographs taken in 1943 and 1948, show a pillbox standing immediately north of a Dispersal Pen (Building No. 172 on the plans). This position is just a few yards west of the northern end of Runway No. 2. <1> - <4> March 2013. Field survey. In March 2013, the pillbox still survives. It is an hexagonal brick and concrete type although much of the outer skin of brickwork is now falling off. The walls are very thick, probably over four feet, with flared out loopholes, at least three of them with Turnbull mountings. The low entrance is on the south side. The roof has been piled high with earth which has now grown over; brambles and thicket cover much of the exterior. Four photos of site. <5> NRHE data transfer: A Second World War type 24 pillbox at the former Debden military airfield site, Debden (sic). It was thought to have been built between 1940 and 1941. It is constructed of brick and reinforced concrete. When it was visited in 1993 by Defence of Britain Project recorders, it was overgrown and said to be in fair condition. <6> Correction to the address given in <1>: the pillbox is in Wimbish Civil Parish, not Debden. <7> The NGR in <1> concords with the position on a plan showing RAF Debden in 1947 of a pillbox (marked PX) at the north end of the shorter north-south runway. <8>