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Monument details
| HER Number: | TR 34 SW 425 |
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| Type of record: | Monument |
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| Name: | Second World War Observation Post |
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Summary
Square brick and concrete observation post, WWII
| Grid Reference: | TR 316 411 |
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| Map Sheet: | TR34SW |
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| Parish: | DOVER, DOVER, KENT |
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Monument Types
| Protected Status: | Scheduled Monument 1020298: FORTIFICATIONS, ROMAN LIGHTHOUSE AND MEDIEVAL CHAPEL ON WESTERN HEIGHTS |
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Full description
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TR 316411. Brick construction with concrete roof slab. Differences in internal lay-out and materials suggest this is an observation post rather than a pillbox, though it conforms to the pillbox pattern for this area. [Survey and discussion of type]. (1)
From the National Heritage List for England:
Following the completion of the new Admiralty harbour at Dover in 1907, an Admiralty Port War Signal Station controlling all shipping within the harbour was located on Western Heights, but moved to Dover castle in 1914. During World War I the Heights were primarily used for their barrack accommodation, although Citadel Battery remained armed and in 1916 Drop Redoubt was provided with searchlights and two 6 pounder Hotchkiss guns to counter air raids, whilst the Citadel received a single 3 inch gun. Following the outbreak of World War II and the renewed threat of invasion, three 6 inch breech loaders were fitted to the disused St Martin's Battery, where the old gun pits were filled with concrete, and concrete and brick gun houses built over the top. Two Type 23 pillboxes were also constructed nearby. The Citadel Battery now mounted two 9.2 inch guns and was provided with two Type 24 pillboxes and a spigot mortar. A further series of Type 23 and 24 pillboxes as built around the perimeter of the Heights for close defence and as complemented by weapons pits, slit trenches and blast shelters. The Western Heights were gradually abandoned by the Army in stages between 1954 and 1961.
<1> Burridge, David, Dovers Square Pillboxes, Page Nos. 3, 10 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6411.
Sources and further reading
| Cross-ref.
| Source description | | <1> | Bibliographic reference: Burridge, David. Dovers Square Pillboxes. Page Nos. 3, 10. |
