Monument record ORF 063 - An extensive area of bomb craters to the east of King's Marshes, Orford parish

A large number of bomb craters are visible on aerial photographs from 1940 onwards, as earthworks located on the shingle beach to the east of King's Marshes, centred on circa TM45285024 (S1). The craters are probably the result of munitions tests that were carried out by the military research establishment on Orfordness from 1915 onwards (see ORF 021). Due to the large number of craters present, only those with a diameter of circa 8m or more have been mapped. Two square bombing range markers are also visible. Located at circa TM 4493, the largest of the two at approximately 40m x 40m appears to have been struck by bombs several times by 1940 and has been removed. The second is circa 25m x 25m, and the black and white squares of its surface can still be seen at circa TM45545021 in 1945. A possible munitions store can be seen at circa TM45155008. This appears to be composed of a concrete structure abutting, and possibly partially covered by, an earthwork bank. (S1-S4)