Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

For much of the 19th century, the broad platform behind the terreplein of the North Lines was probably open ground. However, it contains a complex of trenches, many of which are probably associated with First and Second World War activity on the site of the battery. Many are small slit trenches, rectilinear pits, measuring on average 8.0m by 4.0m by 0.6m deep, sometimes with a small upcast bank. Three more are cut into the rampart. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• SLIT TRENCH (Disused, Modern - 1914 AD? to 1945 AD?)

Full description

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For much of the 19th century, the broad platform behind the terreplein of the North Lines was probably open ground. However, it contains a complex of trenches, many of which are probably associated with First and Second World War activity on the site of the battery. Many are small slit trenches, rectilinear pits, measuring on average 8.0m by 4.0m by 0.6m deep, sometimes with a small upcast bank. Three more are cut into the rampart. there are several other earthworks which appear to form part of an larger system of trenches focused particularly on the broader eastern end of the ridge. They look like a series of entrenched positions, linked by trench communications and focussed on a large platform at the eastern end. East of it are a series of earthworks which could be defended one at a time against an attacker: particularly striking is a substantial symmetrical trench which is up to 10.0m wide by 1.4m deep, incorporating a square traverse against flanking fire: there are upcast banks on both sides of the trench, up to 0.7m high. This feature seems to be an infantry strongpoint or redoubt. Other trenches at the south-eastern corner of the battery. The latter is probably of similar date to the trenches as it does not appear on the 1893 plan: it serves to protect the nearby entrance and path approaching from Drop Redoubt Their location suggests that they were for training purposes, perhaps for troops in the nearby Grand Shaft Barracks, or more likely the location of the AA battery. (1)

<1> English Heritage, 2000, The Western Heights, Dover, Kent. Report No 3 The Drop Redoubt: A 19th-Century Artillery Fortification (Unpublished document). SKE13677.

Sources and further reading

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