Monument record WNN 037 - Second World War military training and defences

November 2015. Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Beauty National Mapping Programme.
An area of Second World War military training and defences is visible on aerial photographs (S1-S4) on Wantisden Heath, which falls within the Orford Battle Training Area (ORF 137). Some of the Second World War sites on the heath have already been recorded separately, for example WNN 017 - WNN 020. The entirety of the heath was covered with weapons pits, dug outs and short trenches. Two extensive practice trench systems are located on the western part of the heath. The main area of this site has been converted to arable, consequently very few earthworks are likely to survive.
The main defensive component of the northern part of the heath is a system of anti-glider trenches – although it is possible that these were in part dug as a training exercise. On northern part of the Heath, along with extensive tracks, are a number of angular mounds are visible on the aerial photographs. It is not immediately obvious whether these are mounds of spoil or earthen covered structures that were later removed.
S. Horlock (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 25th November 2015.