Site of Second World War ‘Diver’ Site No. N54, South of East End Road (EHER 16038)

Now destroyed. The site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box near East Hall Farm. It was armed with eight 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns on 13th August 1944. It was reduced to four guns equipped with BTL Predictor, and SCR584 Radar, on 24th November 1944, at which time it was manned by 604 Battery of 197 Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment.

June 1995. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: desktop research. A Second World War anti-aircraft site, of the type known as a 'Diver' site, visible on vertical aerial photography from 1945 and 1946. <1>-<4> 1999. 'Othona' environs project. A Diver battery with an attendant hutted camp, adjacent to farm buildings at 'Eastlands', on ground now partly occupied by 'Linnets'. The Diver guns had been removed by July 1945, leaving only their emplacements, but the huts remained until their removal after 1960. In 1990 the hut area was grass and appeared to be used as a farm dump of some kind. Associated with the Diver activity, and clearly linked by vehicle tracks, is a small four-post structure, situated between the two pillboxes (at TM02910813), which may have held a mast. <5> November 2008. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: desktop research and site visit. A report, compiled in 1996 from wartime documentation, lists the ‘Diver’ anti-aircraft gun sites in East Essex in summer/autumn 1944. Site No. N54, South of East End Road at Bradwell-on-Sea is listed three times. On 13 August 1944 it is recorded at Military Grid Reference M 472261. Two weeks later, on 28 August, it is stated to be equipped with eight 3.7 inch Mk IIc guns. No manning is given. Three months later, on 24 November, the number of guns has been reduced to four, manned by 197 Regiment, 604 Battery. <6> The site can be clearly seen on an aerial photograph taken in June 1960, around 20 huts still surviving at that time. They stood around the West and North boundary of the field within which the agricultural complex of Easthall Farms has been built. <7> In 2008, the site is a grassy parking area. One of the Nissen-type huts still survives, although shortened and modified, providing a garage by a private house. <8> NRHE data transfer: no new information. NRHE summary description: Site of a Second World War heavy anti aircraft (Diver) Battery in the Diver Box near East Hall Farm. It was armed with eight 3.7-inch Mark IIc guns on 13th August 1944. It was reduced to four guns equipped with BTL Predictor, and SCR584 Radar, on 24th November 1944, at which time it was manned by 604 Battery of 197 Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment. <6>