Second World War pillbox on the sea wall, South of Minefield Control Tower (EHER 10005)

A double-ended pillbox, 34 feet long by 15 feet wide, at the mouth of the River Crouch on its Northern bank, south-east of Holliwell Farm. The pillbox is built into and is bisecting the sea wall some 15m to the south-east of an octagonal minefield control tower (EHER 10004). In 1941 the main function of both structures was to control the estuary minefield which defended the River Crouch at this point. The pillbox has apertures both facing the estuary and facing the control tower which lies 15m inland. The seaward, southern end, has the entrance and five gun apertures, one of which retains its original steel flap. At the landward, Northern end, there are three apertures looking back towards the control tower. In 1940, after the German occupation of France, Burnham-on-Crouch became of serious interest to both the Royal Navy and the British Army as a possible scene of an attempted landing by enemy forces seeking to find a short and undefended passage to London. The River Crouch offered just such a passage, by-passing the main defences of the Rivers Thames and Medway.

1993. World War Two Defences on the Essex Cost pilot survey. Double-ended, 34ft long x 15ft wide, concrete pillbox bisecting the sea wall 50 yards to the South of the minefield control tower (EHER 10004). Halfway along the East side of the octagon can be seen the top of the entrance. The seaward, Southern end of the pillbox has five apertures, at least one of which has, unusually, its steel flap intact. At the landward end only three sides project from the sea wall, each of which contains an open aperture. There is a small drainage stream 20 yards to the North. <1> One photo. <2> For aerial photographs see <3> <4>. 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Location: SE of Holliwell Farm, Burnham-on-Crouch.<5> See also <6>. April 2004. Scheduled Monument. The minefield control tower (EHER 10004) and pillbox were Scheduled on 15/04/04. The following is an extract from the Schedule: Built in 1940 the pillbox predates the minefield control tower (EHER 10004). Originally one of a series of manned defensive pillboxes along the coast, it undertook a more specialised role in housing the firing equipment for the original two warheads deployed at Holliwell Point. With the expansion of the minefield in 1941 the impressive control tower was purpose-built. This is a highly unusual structure, unique in England. The only other surviving example of a purpose-built minefield control tower in the British Isles overlooks the Sound of Kerrera, 4.8km South of Oban in Scotland. The minefield control tower survives in particularly good condition and provides a unique record of the architecture and design of this type of combined observation/control post. The pillbox is its improvised forerunner and has an important role to play in illustrating the evolution of the full complement of defensive schemes employed here. Together the two structures provide a graphic illustration of the threat, acutely felt at the time, of the impending German invasion. <7> December 2008. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: desktop research. A report on Naval Control at Southend and the Thames, written in July 1945, includes a chapter on Burnham-on-Crouch. Regarding the pillboxes along the seawall it states; 'The military had by now (August 1940) commenced the erection of pillboxes along the whole coast, which were kept permanently manned, and which could communicate with the naval craft (on patrol duty) by signalling torch. Note: In this connection it was surprising how quickly these A.B. Patrol Service ratings learned Morse signalling by lamp and the warning system became much more reliable' and 'Supply was authorised in January of two old Naval 6 pdr. Guns as an additional defence for the river and these were mounted on one of the Military pill boxes in March 1942, and tested on 12th May 1942. The crews were provided by the local Home Guard and were trained by R.N.O. becoming most enthusiastic.' It is not known which pillbox they were mounted on but it is likely to have been this one or one very close to it. <1> <8> Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import.