Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A probable WWII gun position is visible on the northern side of the River Stour at Little Stonar on aerial photographs taken in 1945. The gun position is defined by a bank constructed on the crest of a pre-existing flood bank. It is the central position of three such features built onto this section of flood bank which appear to have been built in the latter stages of WWII. Their relatively late construction date in WWII may indicate at defensive role associated with the use of Richborough Port in the D-Day landings.

Monument Types

• GUN EMPLACEMENT (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

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A probable WWII gun position is visible on the northern side of the River Stour at Little Stonar on RAF vertical aerial photographs taken in 1945 [1]. The gun position is defined by a bank enclosing a sub-circular area measuring c.3m across constructed on the crest of a pre-existing flood bank. The bank is c.2m wide and c-shaped in plan, having an apparent entrance gap in its NNE.

This is the central position of three such features built onto this section of flood bank, one lies 80m to the SE (MWX43555) whilst the other lies 110m to the NNE (MWX43557). They appear to have been built in the latter stages of WWII as they are not visible on aerial photographs taken in 1942 [2]. The positions look out over the low-lying ground around the River Stour at Sandwich and Richborough port. Their relatively late construction date in WWII may indicate at defensive role associated with the use of Richborough Port in the D-Day landings. Examination of recent aerial photographs does not show conclusively whether these features remain as earthworks [3].

A transcription of the features recorded from aerial photography exists within a GIS layer held by this HER [4].

<3> Next Perspectives consortium via English Heritage, 2003, 2007, Next Perspective PGA georeferenced aerial photograph data, Tile ref: PGA_TR3358_2003-08-14.jpg (Graphic material). SWX15711.

<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2009-10, South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - Aerial Photographic Transcriptions (Digital archive). SWX15705.

<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - (SE RCZAS) Phase 1: National Mapping Programme Report (Unpublished document). SKE25955.

<4> Cornwall Council Historic Environment Projects and Gloucestershire County Council, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Components 1&2: Results of NMP Mapping (Unpublished document). SKE25954.

Sources and further reading

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