Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The site of a possible Second World War anti-aircraft battery is visible on aerial photographs of 1946 as earthworks on the beach by Grand Parade, New Romney. These features were mapped from aerial photographs as part of the South East RCZAS NMP project.

Monument Types

• ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)
• ANTI AIRCRAFT GUN EMPLACEMENT (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)
• GUN EMPLACEMENT (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)
• SLIT TRENCH (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

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The earthworks which may have formed the base of a Second World War anti-aircraft gun emplacement are centred at TR 0837 2396. They extend across an area measuring approximately 83m SSW to NNE and 35m WNW to ESE. On the seaward side of an existing bank or wall aligned along the seafront; four large mounds with hollows in the top are visible on aerial photographs of 1946. They are sub-circular in plan, and measure approximately 13-15m across. It is thought that this line of mounds may have formed the foundations for a battery of anti-aircraft guns.

Behind the mounds, on the other side of the existing bank or wall, there appears to be a slit trench. This was perhaps used by troops supporting the anti-aircraft gun emplacement. It is visible on aerial photographs as short irregular lengths of parallel linear banks. Approximately 10m to the NNE of the possible gun emplacements and support trench; a v-shaped banked enclosure is visible on the seaward side of the existing bank or wall previously mentioned. It is thought that this is likely to have been a gun emplacement associated with the possible anti-aircraft battery. It is situated 10m to the west of the site of a much smaller line of possible anti-aircraft gun emplacement mounds (Monument Number 1533923) which were visible on vertical aerial photographs of 1941; but which had been removed without trace by 1946, which is when the earthworks described here could be seen.

By the time of vertical aerial photographs of 2007; none of the remains of the possible anti-aircraft battery, slit trench, or gun emplacement could be seen in any form (1-3).

<1> RAF, 1941, NMR RAF/26L/UK/924 9203-4 06-DEC-1941 (Photograph). SWX23865.

<2> 1946, NMR CPE/UK/1752 4002-3 21-SEPT-1946 (Photograph). SWX23760.

Sources and further reading

Related records