Second World War pillbox west of bridge, Duck Street (EHER 10216)

A Second World War thick-walled shell-proof type 24 pillbox is one of a pair located at the western end of a small bridge over the River Cam. The bridge was mined and anti-tank cubes survive at its eastern end. The irregular hexagonal pillbox faces north-east overlooking the River Cam and its pair is located 10m to its south-east. The pillbox is one of a number of similar defensive features constructed along the River Cam in 1940-1941. It formed part of the Audley End Defence Area (Number 70) and part of the GHQ Line (Essex).

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: The River Cam runs through Audley End estate and at this point there is a stone bridge. Flanking the bridge on the west side are two concrete FW3/24 pillboxes 9 yards apart. <1> This pillbox, the northern of the two, faces north-east across the river. It is of standard design with 3'6" walls, hexagonal with the rear face longer than the others. Oddly, there is no loophole in the side facing the other pillbox. The number "17" is stencilled in black on the inner pillar. Three photos of site. <2> Thick walled type 24 pillbox. Five equal sized walls with embrasures in only four of these walls. A sixth longer side with entrance is flanked by a further two embrasures. Internally there is a large brick built anti ricochet wall, there are concrete shelves under the embrasures. Type 24 shell-proof pillbox. Next to a small bridge in the Audley End Estate. <3> The Second World War thick-walled shell-proof type 24 pillbox is visible on aerial photographs. It is centred at TL 5211 3903 and is one of a pair located at the western end of a small bridge over the River Cam. The bridge was mined and anti-tank cubes survive at its eastern end. The irregular hexagonal pillbox faces north-east overlooking the River Cam and its pair is located 10m to its south-east. The pillbox is one of a number of similar defensive features constructed along the River Cam in 1940-1941. It formed part of the Audley End Defence Area (Number 70) and part of the GHQ Line (Essex). <4> - <6>