Monument record SLY 076 - World War II barrage balloon site, Shotley Point, Shotley.

A World War II barrage balloon tethering site and command post are visible on aerial photographs from 1944, centred on TM25223412. The site is located circa 90m east of Martello Tower 'M', and is composed of a central tethering point, surrounded by two concentric rings of concrete tethering blocks. The outermost ring is circa 60m across and marks the edge of the site. The tethers do not form a complete circle, however, as the site is circumscribed by the sports grounds to the north east and south. A number of buildings are associated with the site. Two have been removed by 1944 and their locations are apparent only from their foundations. A large building circa 15m long, centred on TM25203415 may have been a balloon shed or hangar. A smaller building, centred on TM25203410, appears to be connected to the central tether by a low earthwork or structure, and may have housed a winching mechanism to raise and lower the balloon. Partial remains of the site are visible on photographs up to 1951, but all structures have been removed by 1955. Balloon barrages were an important passive defence during WWII, and were often located around the perimeter of vulnerable areas. In this instance, this site is one of three located around the edge of Shotley naval base (see SLY 082 and SLY 092). (S1-S4).