WW1 and WW2 Defences - Suffolk and beyond

I had an interesting couple of days around the Gunton / Corton area over the last two weekends. The defences remaining in this area are well known and along with those at Shingle Street to Boyton, must rank as one of the best preserved stretches of WW2 Defences along the Suffolk Coast. Having said that, the sheer amount of litter and rubbish in the area makes the walk at Shingle Street/Boyton much more pleasurable! Above: Top - the beach at Gunton Bottom - the defences in 1941 This area more or less formed the northern boundary of Lowestoft’s defensive perimeter. The reason for this section of coast being so heavily defended was because of the port facilities at Lowestoft. The JC Plan, produced during the autumn of 1939, considered that any invasion during the winter of 1939/40 would not take place on beaches but that “A more likely course would be an attempt to enter a port with transports”. The plan identified The Humber and Harwich as the most likely ports to be s...

This is the last post on our recent trip over to France. Years ago I got hold of a copy of  178 Siege Battery's history for £3.50! Soon after, the M.M. of Gunner Arnold came up for sale so I also bought his medals. I have visited the site where he won his medal in the past, Feuchy Chapel Redoubt,  but that was pre-digital camera. This is the second time that we stopped of at Feuchy Chapel, this time with a digital camera! Above: Top - 178 Siege Battery Sept 1916 Bottom: The Battery was equipped with 6" howitzers (the image shows a 6" howitzer in use during the Battle of The Somme). During the Battery's service in France, from Oct 1916 to 1918, the Battery fired 108,271 rounds, from 42 battery positions. Feuchy Chapel Redoubt was a German strong point that covered the southern exit of Battery Valley, and was captured on the opening day of the Battle of Arras. Above: Top - Map showing Feuchy Chapel Redoubt Bottom -...

The week before we travelled over to France, a storm struck northern France causing strong winds and snow. The strong winds caused most of the problems, resulting in snow drifts blocking many roads; the Somme, with its sunken roads, was especially hard hit. I must admit, we did think that we might have to cancel going over. But news seemed to indicate things were getting back to normal by the time we travelled. However evidence of the storm was still to be seen, as these images show!! Luckily for us the snow was not an issue, but had we gone a week earlier....... Above: Mill Road, Thiepval. Last two images shows the road finally being opened. Above: Top image - Beaumont-Hamel British Cemetery Middle - one of the Redan Ridge cemeteries Bottom - Thistle Dump Cemetery

The usual post on some of the more interesting items we came across by field walking during our March trip. As I've said before we don't metal detect and all explosives are left well alone! German shell, Serre Essex Regt Cap Badge, Serre - almost certainly belonging to someone from 2 Essex which were involved in the attack at Serre on 1st July Hampshire Regt shoulder title, Beaumont Hamel. From the attack between Hamel and Beaumont Hamel on Sept 3rd, 1916 Pile of shells and Mills bombs plus a 3" Stoke Mortar round and a rifle grenade - Gueudecourt British shell (4" ?), Gueudecourt with the Caribou in the distance German trench mortar shell, Lesboeufs German shell, Lesboeufs Remains of British leather cartridge pouch, Gird Line, Gueuecourt British 18 pdr HE with Bernafay and Trones Woods in the background British 18 pdr shell, 3" stokes mortar and remains of British mess tin, Lo...