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

Monument details

HER Number:TQ 77 SE 152
Type of record:Listed Building
Name:Anti tank obstacle blocks located by Hoo Flats, Hoo St. Werburgh

Summary

Six anti tank concrete obstacle blocks located by Hoo Flats, Hoo St. Werburgh. These blocks were placed so that they stretched for approximately 8m down to an area that would not support the weight of a heavy vehicle. They were seen to still be in good condition during a site visit in 2004.

Summary from record TQ 77 SE 1270:

Fair condition anti-tank blocks. Forming Southern end of Hoo stop line (GHQ line) anti invasion defences 1940. Going into River Medway.

Summary from record TQ 77 SE 1072:

Defensive bollards known as 'Dragon's Teeth' were identified from aerial photographs taken shortly after the end of World War II. These were not seen during a 2004 coastal survey and it is thought they may have been removed or incorporated into the Sea defences.


Grid Reference:TQ 7926 7167
Map Sheet:TQ77SE
Parish:HOO ST WERBURGH, MEDWAY, KENT

Monument Types

Protected Status:Listed Building (II) 1393814: ANTI-TANK CUBES ON THE SEA-WALL OF THE RIVER MEDWAY AT TQ7926371678

Full description

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Six 5ft cubes of concrete extending south from the river wall approx. 8m to a point where the ground would not support a heavy vehicle. provided an obstacle in the dead ground south of the anti tank block house. Very good condition and stable no evidence of the foreshore blocks subsiding (1), site photographs (2-5). The structures were seen in 2004, still intact. (6)

Description from record TQ 77 SE 1270:
5 in number, square, concrete construction.
Owner : Public
Publicly accessible : Yes
How accessed for survey : On Saxon Shore Way
Tourism Potential : Possible heritage trail
Condition : good
Date of visit : 06/10/29

Description from record TQ 77 SE 1072:
Defensive bollards - 'Dragon's Teeth'. Photographs (1-3). In 2004, only the recorded anti-tank blocks by this monument were visible. The "Dragon's Teeth" may have been removed or incorporated into the existing sea wall? (4)

This feature is noted in the English Heritage report on the Second World War Stop Line of the Hoo Peninsula, part of the wider Hoo Peninsula study. The report states: [in addition to the six concrete cubes that survive in good condition] "A possible Second World War defence obstruction, on the river wall south east of Hoo St Werburgh, seen on aerial photographs taken in 1942 and 1952. The small structure appears to be an anti-tank cube or pimple associated with an adjacent row of anti-tank cubes (NRHE 1418690) and other components of the stop line. A visit by English Heritage Assessment staff in 2014 confirmed that this structure had been removed although it is possible that sub-surface remains survive. " (7)


11th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, 18/01/41, War diary. (Collection). SKE14281.

MMRG, 29/10/06, Anti Tank Blocks (Photograph). SKE14490.

<1> Victor Smith and Ron Crowdy, Thames Gateway Assesment: Gazetteer of Defence Sites (Index). SKE6445.

<1> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9869.

<2> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9512.

<2> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9839.

<3> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9563.

<4> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9839.

<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year One report (Unpublished document). SWX12121.

<5> 2000, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10334.

<6> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year One report (Unpublished document). SWX12121.

<7> historic england, 2014, Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project: Second World War Stop Line: Hoo St Werburgh to Higham Marshes. Research Report 9-2014. (Bibliographic reference). SKE31599.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
---Collection: 11th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment. 18/01/41. War diary..
---Photograph: MMRG. 29/10/06. Anti Tank Blocks.
<1>Index: Victor Smith and Ron Crowdy. Thames Gateway Assesment: Gazetteer of Defence Sites.
<1>Photograph (Print): 1947. Photograph. 4096. print.
<2>Photograph (Print): 1946. Photograph. 3123. print.
<2>Photograph (Print): 1947. Photograph. 3076. print.
<3>Photograph (Print): 1946. Photograph. 4042. print.
<4>Unpublished document: Wessex Archaeology. 2005. North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year One report.
<4>Photograph (Print): 1947. Photograph. 3076. print.
<5>Photograph (Print): 2000. Photograph. 67. print.
<6>Unpublished document: Wessex Archaeology. 2005. North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year One report.
<7>Bibliographic reference: historic england. 2014. Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project: Second World War Stop Line: Hoo St Werburgh to Higham Marshes. Research Report 9-2014..

Related records

TQ 77 SE 1322Part of: Second World War Stop Line: Hoo St Werburgh to Higham Marshes, Hoo Peninsula, Kent (Monument)