Second World War pillbox, south-east of Uttlesford Bridge, Wendens Ambo (EHER 10391)

A Second World War Vickers Machine Gun pillbox survives to the east of the B1383 road. The pillbox is made of concrete and contained a large concrete table for a Vickers machine gun. It is square and consists of three embrasures with the entrance protected by a longer blast wall along the north-eastern side. The blast wall is attached to the pillbox by a concrete slab roof. This gives the pillbox a distinctive shape which was disguised to aerial reconnaissance by the addition of a pitched roof seen on aerial photographs taken in 1947. The extra roof was removed by 1950, when aerial photographs show its real plan form. Aerial photographs taken in 1967 show that the area immediately surrounding the pillbox was used for construction storage while the B1383 was widened and it is possible the pillbox suffered some damage at this time, however, it was in good condition when visited in February 1997 as part of the Defence of Britain project. The pillbox is one of a number of similar defensive features constructed in 1940-1941 along the River Cam and formed part of the GHQ Line (Essex).

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Standing in scrubland between the B1383 London Road and the River Cam is a concrete pillbox. Basically, it is rectangular but a long blast wall has been "wrapped around" the east side projecting both north-west and south-west. The whole structure has been roofed over creating a very large pillbox. One photo of site. <1> Rectangular infantry, thick walled, pillbox. There are three embrasures and the entrance is covered by a blast wall. The blast wall extends the length of the entrance wall and is attached to the pillbox by a concrete slab forming a covering between blast wall and main structure. Vickers machine gun emplacement. Located south from South Audley End along the B1383 road, adjacent to the road. <2> The Second World War Vickers Machine Gun pillbox referred to above is visible on aerial photographs and is located at TL 5200 3614. The square pillbox and attached blast wall were disguised to aerial reconnaissance by the addition of a pitched roof seen on aerial photographs taken in 1947. The extra roof was removed by 1950, when aerial photographs show its actual plan form. Aerial photographs taken in 1967 show that the area immediately surrounding the pillbox was used for construction storage while the B1383 was widened and it is possible that the pillbox suffered some damage at this time. The pillbox is one of a number of similar defensive features constructed along the River Cam in 1940-1941 and formed part of the GHQ Line (Essex). <3> - <5> See also: <6>