Second World War Pickett-Hamilton fort, Debden Airfield, Wimbish (EHER 21536)

A Second World War Pickett Hamilton fort located at the former Debden military airfield, now Carver Barracks. It formed part of the airfield's defences and is thought to have been constructed between 1940 and 1941. It is a sunken circular concrete and steel installation which is normally flush to the surface of the airfield to allow for aircraft to pass over, but could be raised if the airfield attacked, by means of hydraulics or a counterbalance. This example was situated at the north end of the flying field, between the north end of the shorter runway and the taxi way or perimeter track.

Plans of Debden Airfield dated 1945 and 1946 show a pillbox on the east side of Runway No. 2, at the extreme north end. Visited in March 2013, it was, and still is, a Pickett-Hamilton fort, sunk into the ground with its roof flush with the surrounding grass. At this point, it is only a few yards from the runway. A normal pillbox standing here would have been far too dangerous. <1> <2> At the time of the site visit, a lock and chain prevented the access hatch being lifted to see inside. However, this Pickett-Hamilton had in fact been visited in 2003. Photos were taken at that time, including one of the lid held open and another of the lifting mechanism inside. The interior in 2003 was half-flooded. Three photos taken in 2003. <3> Three photos taken in 2013. <4> NRHE data transfer: A Second World War pillbox at the former Debden military airfield, Debden (sic), Essex. It formed part of the airfield's defences and is thought to have been constructed between 1940 and 1941. The pillbox is of a type known as a Pickett-Hamilton fort, built using steel and concrete. <5> The pillbox described above corresponds to the position of a pillbox marked on a plan of RAF Debden as it appeared in 1947. On the plan the pillbox is located between the north end of the shorter north-south aligned runway and the taxiway or perimeter track. Pillboxes are marked "PX" on the plan. <6> Correction to the address details given in source 1: the NGR supplied is in Wimbish not Debden Civil Parish. <7>