Second World War Minefield No. 45/40, land east of Holland Bridge, Holland-on-Sea (EHER 21161)

Second World War minefield.

Defence of Clacton survey Contemporary records state, “Dannert wiring for minefield running N. to S. across centre of field. O.S. Nos. 37, 38 at Holland Gap, Marshes. Map ref. ??0350.” (Mil. Ed.) <1> Aerial photograph, 1946 Field OS Nos. 37 and 38 lie South-East of Holland Bridge, South of Holland Brook. The minefield, or part of it, can be seen on a July 1946 aerial photograph as a series of at least 12 craters running in a rough band from north to south across the fields. These would have been caused by exploded mines when dogs, foxes, etc. strayed into the area. <2> Correspondence, 1945-1947 At the Essex Record Office there exists Clacton Urban District Council correspondence from 1945-47 regarding the clearance of military defence works. This minefield in designated as No. 45/40 and it is stated that there were 207 mines here. 194 of them are stated as cleared, with 21 old craters, showing where mines had accidentally exploded. <3> Defence of Clacton survey <4>