Monument record SUE 119 - Section of mock Atlantic Wall relating to Second World War tank training

Please read our guidance about the use of Suffolk Historic Environment Record data.

Summary

A section of mock Atlantic Wall used by the 79th Armoured Division for tank training during the Second World War. It is visible as an earthwork and structure on aerial photographs taken in 1945, and still survives in part. Further evidence of tank training is visible at a more extensive site 350m to the southeast (SUE 063). They all form part of the Orford Battle Training Area ORF 137.

Location

Grid reference	Centred TM 4278 5324 (118m by 37m)
Map sheet	TM45SW
Civil Parish	SUDBOURNE, SUFFOLK COASTAL, SUFFOLK

Map

Find a placename, postcode or grid reference

Map layers

Base layers

Info

Record list

Tools

Type and Period (1)

ANTI TANK WALL (ASSAULT TRAINING) (Second World War - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full Description

A Section of mock Atlantic Wall for Training on the Orford Battle Training area for 79th Armoured Division (S1). Extent uncertain, but does not extent all the way west to Crag Pit Cottages (S2).

August 2015. Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme.
The section of mock Atlantic Wall described above, used by the 79th Armoured Division for tank training during the Second World War (S1)-(S2), is visible as an earthwork and structure on aerial photographs taken in 1945 (S3), and still survives in part. It consists of a north-facing vertical escarpment, approximately 111m long, with clear signs of vehicle tracks running over the edge of the escarpment. Comparison with the Ordnance Survey 1st edition map (S4) indicates that this was a pre-existing feature, perhaps in part natural in origin.
S. Tremlett (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 3rd August 2015.

Sources/Archives (4)

<S1> SSF55910 Bibliographic reference: Liddiard, R. and Sims, D.. 2015. A Guide to Second World War Archaeology in Suffolk. Guide 3: Orford to Felixstowe. 3 vols. pp44-45.
<S2> SSF55911 Verbal communication: Sims D. 2015.
<S3> SSF55745 Vertical Aerial Photograph: Vertical aerial photograph. RAF/106G/UK/832 RS 4166-4167 23-SEP-1945 (EHA Original Print).
<S4> SSX55043 Map: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Map.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Part of: Second World War military training activity within Orford Battle Training Area (Monument) (SUE 133)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Event - Interpretation: TM45SW. Mapping Block 2: Iken to Sudbourne. NMP National Mapping Programme Project for Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Ref: English Heritage Project No. 7085) (ESF23194)

Record last edited

Mar 11 2016 9:33AM