Second World War Dummy Minefield No. 45/41a, Hazelmere Rd/Kings Ave, Holland-on-Sea (EHER 21166)

Second World War Dummy Minefield.

WWII Defence of Clacton survey. At the Colchester branch of the Essex Record Office there exists Clacton Urban District Council correspondence from 1945-47, regarding the clearance of military defence works. Minefield No. 45/41a is said to be a dummy, 140 yards long, between Hazelmere Road and Kings Avenue. The full text of the entry is as follows: ‘Holland-on-Sea Minefield. 22nd May 1946 Re. 45/41A. The field, approximately 140 yards long, runs SW-NE along the Esplanade. The NE corner of the field approximately 30 yards S of junction of Kings Parade – Kings Avenue. The enclosure is a barbed wire fence. Said to be a ‘Dummy Minefield’. The area was wired off and ‘Danger’ notices placed, as it was treated as a live minefield. The area was swept with Polish Mine Detector, by 22 BD Coy. RE in October 1945. No mines were found. It is believed that no mines were ever laid, and the area is to be considered safe. Major General E A Dod. Command’ This places it approximately between TM 1960 1579 and TM 1970 1584, <1> a location which ties in with a 1946 aerial photograph which shows this stretch of the grassy hilltop as clear of any military structures. <1> <2> <3>