WWII Close Defence Block, The Cliff, Sizewell.
The Close Defence Block House is an oblong brick built structure, divided into three rooms inside, there are four non-standard Loopholes for rifles in the front face overlooking the sea, and another four Loopholes in the rear wall, these appear to be later additions, as there is evidence of cuts into the existing brickwork. Above and centre of each pair of Loopholes is another square hole, but this was an air vent. The entrance is in the south facing wall, there are two large openings to the north and south, these appear to have had windows removed, and below the tiled sill is a hole in the centre. There is also evidence of previous extensions to the north and south walls and concrete floor, and unpointed brickwork on the walls. The whole structure is covered with a heavy reinforced concrete roof.
A World War Two Coastal Battery and some associated structures along with some earthworks were constructed and centred around TM 4760 6158. The Coastal Battery was constructed around 1940, as two Gun Houses in the grounds of The Dower House, Sizewell, two possible Searchlight Batteries on the cliff edge and a possible Observation Towers in the grounds of The Dower House. The site was probably one of a number of ''Emergency Coastal Batteries'' that were built in 1940.
The Road Block at TM 4759 6169 was already in place at this time, and was probably an early coastal anti-invasion feature, but the associated probable Pillbox didn't come until December 1941. By 1941 further structures have been built immediately behind the Gun Houses and elsewhere in the grounds of The Dower House, centred on TM 4751 6148, and many of the battery structures are now disguised. A number of Slit Trenches are also dug to guard the perimeter of the site. By June 1942 Barbed Wire Obstructions have been installed to further defend the site and also augment the coastal defences.
The site is clearly visible on photographs from 1946 and by 1975 a number of the structures have been retained and are visible on aerial photography. Also seen as part of the field survey of the Suffolk Coast, Anti-Tank Blocks buried in the sand at intertidal level with four steel rods set in the top. A Close Defence Block House as previously mentioned, and a concrete block built Loopholed Wall running along the cliff top for almost 300ft.
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WWII Close Defence Block, The Cliff, Sizewell.
The Close Defence Block House is an oblong brick built structure, divided into three rooms inside, there are four non-standard Loopholes for rifles in the front face overlooking the sea, and another four Loopholes in the rear wall, these appear to be later additions, as there is evidence of cuts into the existing brickwork. Above and centre of each pair of Loopholes is another square hole, but this was an air vent. The entrance is in the south facing wall, there are two large openings to the north and south, these appear to have had windows removed, and below the tiled sill is a hole in the centre. There is also evidence of previous extensions to the north and south walls and concrete floor, and unpointed brickwork on the walls. The whole structure is covered with a heavy reinforced concrete roof.
A World War Two Coastal Battery and some associated structures along with some earthworks were constructed and centred around TM 4760 6158. The Coastal Battery was constructed around 1940, as two Gun Houses in the grounds of The Dower House, Sizewell, two possible Searchlight Batteries on the cliff edge and a possible Observation Towers in the grounds of The Dower House. The site was probably one of a number of ''Emergency Coastal Batteries'' that were built in 1940.
The Road Block at TM 4759 6169 was already in place at this time, and was probably an early coastal anti-invasion feature, but the associated probable Pillbox didn't come until December 1941. By 1941 further structures have been built immediately behind the Gun Houses and elsewhere in the grounds of The Dower House, centred on TM 4751 6148, and many of the battery structures are now disguised. A number of Slit Trenches are also dug to guard the perimeter of the site. By June 1942 Barbed Wire Obstructions have been installed to further defend the site and also augment the coastal defences.
The site is clearly visible on photographs from 1946 and by 1975 a number of the structures have been retained and are visible on aerial photography. Also seen as part of the field survey of the Suffolk Coast, Anti-Tank Blocks buried in the sand at intertidal level with four steel rods set in the top. A Close Defence Block House as previously mentioned, and a concrete block built Loopholed Wall running along the cliff top for almost 300ft.
Sourced from: