The Isle of Grain is scattered with historic remains and it’s prime location means that it would be essential for protecting the capital from invasion. During the Second World War, anti-tank obstacles were constructed to prevent any German vehicles entering British soil. Scattered along the beach at Grain, these defences have been Grade II listed…
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In the marshy area adjacent to North Fambridge marina lies a ferro-concrete barge partially submerged in a field. Once stranded in the marshland, this barge exists as a peculiar hulk misplaced from its maritime origins and today exists buried into the earth following the reclamation of the area into farmland. This example is in good…
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TN13, or Bowaters Farm Anti-Aircraft Battery, was built at the outbreak of the Second World War. Whilst many HAA sites have been demolished, we were given permission by the farm owner to have an explore around these 70 year-old remains. Built in 1939, the defence was armed with four 3.7-inch guns and later upgraded to…
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These anti-tank defences have been in the same spot since the Second World War. Turn back the clock and these dragons teeth acted as a movable road block, to prevent any German tanks from entering Broomfield Road. These are just one of many Second World War defences in and around Chelmsford, although these are thought…
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Hidden away just off of the A12, you wouldn’t have a clue that this was here unless someone told you! Just down the bank from a lay-by is this infantry firing position. During the Second World War, this area would have formed part of the defences of Chelmsford, in addition to the anti-tank blocks and…
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Situated close to the A12, this immaculately preserved ROC Post hasn’t been touched for years and is pretty much a time capsule. Built in the June of 1959, a month before the one at Hatfield Peverel, the site holds many relics that would have been in the bunker when it was first opened including old bedding,…
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During the early Second World War, Germany bombed British towns, cities, and industries using aircraft. This initially took place in daylight leading up to the Battle of Britain, but when this tactic failed, Hitler decided nighttime bombing would give an advantage. In the Blitz of 1940 and 1941, the daytime was ordinary, but every night…
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The Dragon’s Teeth along the River Wey in Guildford are just one of many examples of surviving Second World War tank defences in the town. Dozens of these small pyramids stretch through the woodland from the river up the edge of the woods. Known as ‘Dragon’s Teeth’ these concrete defences were designed to slow down…
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The D-Day allied invasion of France, 1944, was an enormous logistical project which saw Essex overrun by military preparations to send off thousands of allied troops to the beaches of Normandy. Stansgate Abbey and Stone Point in the St. Lawrence area of the Dengie Peninsula are both sites home to little-known yet surviving ramps constructed in…
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Wakering Camp was constructed potentially around June 1944 as a ‘Diver’ battery – a late-war heavy anti-aircraft 3.7-inch gun battery of at least eight guns, established to defend against V-1 flying bombs. It was one of two in Great Wakering, with another four at Foulness. There were at least 43 huts, and in July 1944…
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