Monument record ELV 196 - Second World War Military Training features.

Please read our .

Summary

An area of banks, ditches and pits most likely relating to Second World War military training can be seen as earthworks (which have since been levelled) on aerial photographs. The features consist of multiple areas of pits, banks and ditches which may have related to former weapons pits, trackways, vehicle tracks, possible practice trenches, possible explosive craters and circular features possibly relating to former emplacements. A number of small pits can be seen (especially in the west of the record) which have been mapped by extent due to the small size of the features and the scale of the aerial photographs. The features can be seen as earthworks in the 1940s and are presumed to be levelled as the features are not visible on recent (2016) aerial photographs.

Location

Grid reference Not recorded
Map sheet Not recorded
Civil Parish ELVEDEN, FOREST HEATH, SUFFOLK

Map

No mapped location recorded.

Type and Period (11)

Full Description

January 2020. Breckland National Mapping Programme.
An area of banks, ditches and pits most likely relating to Second World War military training can be seen as earthworks (which have since been levelled) on aerial photographs (S1-S5). There is a number of small pits (centred at TL 8108 7777, TL 8180 7769, TL 8246 7788, TL 8294 7817, TL 8342 7833, TL 8335 7803 and TL 8303 7773) in clusters and spread out across the area which may have related to Second World War training features, weapons pits or explosive carters. Some of the pits (for example centred at TL 8335 7803) have surrounding banks which may be part of the features construction or up cast from explosive craters. There are a number of very small pits across the area (predominantly at TL 8303 7773) which have been mapped by extend due to the small size of the features and the scale of the aerial photographs making it difficult to map the features accurately. Two small ditches (centred at TL 8249 7771 and TL 8303 7820) can also be seen as earthworks in the 1940s which may have related to possible practice trenches. Three circular features (centred at TL 8244 7801 and TL 8218 7765) have also been recorded. It is likely the circular features relate to military training or possible emplacements such as search lights. It is possible that the circular feature at TL 8218 7765 may be geological in origin rather than archaeological. A roughly circular trackway (centred at TL 8216 7795) can be seen on the 1940s aerial photographs. The trackway was possibly constructed from compacted earth rather than a concrete and has therefore been mapped as a bank rather than a structure. The possible circular trackway may have been used for vehicle training rather than just for access. There is also a number of vehicle tracks across the area which have not been mapped. The probable Second World War training features can be seen predominately as earthworks in the 1940s (S1-S3) , have mostly been levelled by the 1950s (S4) and are not seen on recent (2016) aerial photographs. The probable training features are in close proximity to further possible Second World War training features to the east (BNH 132) and the south east (BNH 128 and BNH 172). Due to a lack of adequate control points when rectifying the photos, the locational accuracy of the mapping may have been slightly reduced.
J.Powell (Norfolk Historic Environment Service), 20th January 2020

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <S1> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Vertical aerial photograph. US/7GR/LOC355 RP 3023-3024 30-MAY-1944 (HEA Laser Copy).
  • <S2> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Vertical aerial photograph. RAF/106G/LA/129 FP 1067-1071 14-FEB-1945 (HEA Original Print.
  • <S3> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Vertical aerial photograph. RAF/106G/LA/129 FP 1083-1804 14-FEB-1945 (HEA Original Print).
  • <S4> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Vertical aerial photograph. RAF/58/2688 F22 087-091 25-JAN-1959 (HEA Original Print).
  • <S5> Vertical Aerial Photograph: Vertical aerial photograph. Next Perspectives APGB Imagery TL8177,8277,8377,8178,8278,8378 01-MAY-2016 (Digital Colour).

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Feb 7 2020 1:50PM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.