Monument record MKE129469 - A small gun emplacement, probably dating to the Second World War

TQ 7587 7151. A small gun emplacement, probably dating to the Second World War, is visible as earthworks on aerial photographs and has been mapped as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project. The U shaped trench and accompanying bank are located on Hoo Common near a Second World War military camp, and may be associated with it. Several other gun emplacements and slit trenches are located in the immediate vicinity. (1-2)

Alternatively, the gun emplacement could be associated with First World War practice trenches in the same area. This part of Hoo Common is noted on a War Department map of Lodge Hill field defences, 1914-16, as part of the "New field works ground", the greatest extent of which (Monument 1545095) was located to the west, below Chattenden Barracks. (3)

<1> RAF, 1942, NMR RAF/HLA/617 6101 20-JUN-1942 (Photograph). SKE56110.

<2> RAF, 1947, NMR RAF/CPE/UK/2303 5215 10-SEP-1947 (Photograph). SKE58401.

<3> Public Record Office, 1914, PRO: WO 78/4400 Chatham Field Defences 8.11.1914 (Archive). SKE58402.