Second World War tank trap ditches, Othona Community site (EHER 81389)
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Summary
Archaeological excavation in 1992-1993 and 2009 recorded large ditches which were interpreted as tank trap ditches. Those found in the earlier excavation were back-filled with redeposited natural and barbed wire.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TM 0307 0828 (56m by 301m) Sputhern extent mapped from <3>, Northern extent mapped using <1>. |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BRADWELL-ON-SEA, MALDON, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
1992-1993. Archaeological excavation.
Two features were dated to the Second World War and have been interpreted as tank-traps. They were filled with redeposited natural, as well as a quantity of barbed wire and electric flex. <1>
September-October 2009. Archaeological excavation.
A Second World War tank trap was recorded running North-South at the East end of the excavated area. <2>
An anti-tank ditch, associated with the nearby WWII airfield, is visible as a cropmark of a dark green line cutting through the Roman fort wall (EHER 31), on an aerial photograph. <3>
Note: the full extent of the ditch is not recorded, it may extend further to the North and South.
Sources
- <1> SEX68662 Article in serial: Medlycott, M.. 1994. The Othona Community Site, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex: the extra-mural settlement. Essex Archaeology and History. 25. 60-71.
- <2> SEX69065 Excavation Report: Sparrow, P.. 2010. Othona Community Site, East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex: Archaeological Excavation.
- <3> SEX64278 Bibliographic reference: Strachan, D.. 1998. Essex from the air: Archaeology and history from aerial photographs. p.40.