Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

A trackway leading to a network of trenches at the west end of RAF Manston's crash runway of Second World War date was visible as a soilmark in US/7PH/GP/LOC286 V 5010 19-APR-1944.

Monument Types

• LINEAR SYSTEM (LINEAR SYSTEM, Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)
• TRACKWAY (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)
• TRENCH (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

Complex of linear features S. of Alland Grange seen on RAF 1940s AP. A long linear feature running E-W N. of the Thanet Way connects to more substantial lines at its E. end while another crosses it N-S before going W. by a poss. enclosure at the junction. N. of this group are a pair of right-angled lines, poss. not connected. (1)

A trackway leading to a network of trenches at the west end of RAF Manston's crash runway of Second World War date was visible as a soilmark in US/7PH/GP/LOC286 V 5010 19-APR-1944. The trackway ran to the south of and parallel with the crash runway's south perimeter track. It was in use at the time of this photography for the construction of the runway's west end and its related infrastructure.

A geometric pattern of trenches aligned with and beyond the west end of the crash runway were visible as earthworks and levelled earthworks in US/7PH/GP/LOC286 V 5010 19-APR-1944. Presumably they provided services for the airfield, installed during its later Second World War development.

Most of the trackway is visible as cropmarks in Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 21-APR-2007. Its western end, and the trench network, were recorded as levelled earthworks in Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021. These features were mapped as part of the Historic England Isle of Thanet project in 2024. (2-4)

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, RAF 1940s AP 61/36 NW (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> Historic England Archive, 1944, Historic England Archive USAF vertical aerial photographs, US/7PH/GP/LOC286 V 5010 19-APR-1944 (Archive). SKE57114.

<3> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 21-APR-2007 (Archive). SKE57110.

<4> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021 (Archive). SKE57110.

Sources and further reading

Related records