Skip to main content

Somme Trip: Fri 26th Mar part 2

Well as promised the other pillboxes we have seen todate at Henencourt. The first image shows a twin embrasure pillbox. The next two are of a couple of straight forward square single embrasure pillboxes. The forth image shows a vickers machine gun pillbox, built into the Chateaux ground walls complete with a brick finish for camouflage. The next image shows the standard WW1 pillbox vickers mount inside this pillbox.
In addition, we also found two partially completed concrete works within the Chateaux ground walls - not sure if they refer to the partially completed pillbox mentioned in P Oldham's book. Unusually for me, did not take any photos!



















































I have also decided to tag onto this post a 'sub-post', entitled 'Siesta!'
This was inspired by an image in the German book 'An der Somme' published in 1918. First image is from the book. Second image is me in a feeble 'reconstruction' attempt! On a serious note, I will emphasise NO contact was made with the shell, hence the difference in camera angle - we took the photo at an angle that at least made it look like I was leaning on the shell! The large shell is one of three we found within 100 mtrs - fired by the same gun or a single battery salvo? In the background is the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on the Somme.

















Well that's about it - I will probably do one more post on the Somme - just some of my favourite photos from the trip, then its back to Suffolk Home Defences! On which, I managed a couple of hours at Westleton today, continuing mapping training earthworks. You've probably guessed it by now, found even more! I reckon I've mapped less than 25% of what exists here despite many visits.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Eastern Command Line - a lazy post

As the title suggests, just a lazy post today, a few pics of CRE Colchester design pillboxes in the Sudbury area to round of the thread on this May visit. Also one pic of concrete road block cylinders now being used as part of river bank defences. This is the first time I have come across this type of road block in Suffolk although I suspect it was probably used quite widely on this Stop Line, perhaps I will come across more examples / references in time. These pictures do show a timeless landscape - traditional floodplain meadows still used for grazing, with the Second World War clearly marking its presence. Lets just hope both the pillboxes and  grazing meadows will be preserved.
Post a Comment
Read more

RAF Hethel Defence Post

At RAF Station Hethel, a remarkable defence post still exists.  Admittedly, RAF Hethel is in Norfolk and not Suffolk, but the records for this site do provide some interest in relation to the defence of airfields in Eastern Command. Work on Hethel began in 1941 and the station was opened late 1942 and was actually one of the RAF Stations handed over to the USAAF for the use of its bomber units. The defence post was constructed in accordance with a new policy adopted by Eastern Command. Previously, airfield defences had been built as a result of the Taylor Report and largely consisted of pillboxes and breastworks which were large and conspicuous and vulnerable to air attack. Experience at Crete had shown the need for small inconspicuous field works. The new defences were to now consist of small two man weapon-slits and small machine gun pits constructed in accordance with “Infantry Training, 1937” Supplement No.3 – “The design and lay-out of Field Defences, 1942”. Above...
Post a Comment
Read more

Anti-tank ditch

December 31st Decided to visit the anti-tank ditch at Aldringham Walks this afternoon. It was constructed between late 1940 and early 1941 and ran from (north to south) Sizewell to the north of Thorpeness Mere. Some of its length is still visible today (see map and bottom photo)). The war diary of 9th Cameronians (15th Div) mentions the construction of the ditch in Margaret Wood (vicinity of No 12 Platoon, B Coy).  The diary also mentions a pillbox being destroyed by the RE in No 12 platoons area, but no luck in finding any remains this time. The diary would also indicate the ditch was a combined obstacle with Z1 scaffolding. The top left photo shows the remains of a weapons pit/shell slit; six pieces of angle iron revetment still exist - one of the pieces is clearly visible in the photo. Perhaps this is part of No 12 platoons position. Many years ago when beating up the young woodland I found a Yorkshire billhook with the WO arrow dated 1946, so this area would appear to have ...
Post a Comment
Read more