Second World War Minefield, 45/42, greensward, Clacton-on-Sea (EHER 21206)

Second World War Minefield.

WWII Defence of Clacton survey. At the east end of Clacton-on-Sea there is a wide greensward between the coast road, Marine Parade East, and the cliff top. It is approximately 400 yards long, stretching from TM 1890 1539 to TM 1928 1562. An aerial photograph taken in July 1946 shows that the greater part of this greensward was a minefield during the Second World War. Two long rows of identical craters can be seen, staggered in a typical minefield pattern, paralleling and close to the clifftop path. The rows do not appear to stretch the full length of the greensward. The westernmost crater is at TM 1897 1545, the easternmost at TM 1923 1559. Around 50 craters can be made out, some very clearly, others as overgrown depressions. <1> At the Essex Record Office there exists Clacton Urban District Council correspondence from 1945/47 regarding the clearance of military defence works. This minefield, No. 45/42, is detailed as follows: Minefield, Clacton-on-Sea (45/42) Report to CUDC Minefield 500 yards long; runs SW-NE along the cliff top. The SW corner approximately 170 yards due east of junction of Connaught Gardens east of Marine Parade East. The minefield is enclosed by a barbed wire fence. The records show that there were 216 mines laid, in four rows parallel to the sea. The two inland rows containing 113 mines were exploded prior to 29th December 1942 and the fence re-aligned. In November 1945, 109 craters were still visible in the area. The remaining mined area which contained 103 mines was swept with PMD 22 Bd. Coy. RE in January 1944 when 99 mines were accounted for. Four mines were missing. The area was re-swept with PMD in October 1945, but no more mines were found. From the aerial photograph and the above description the minefield is estimated to have stretched from approximately TM 1893 1543 to TM 1928 1562. <2> <3>