Section of slit trench believed dug as part of the airfield defences for Manston in WWII.

A wavering cropmark feature has been observed in field to the north of the A253 near Monkton. This feature has been identified by archaeological investigations in advance of work to widen the A253, and is believed to be a section of slit trenching. It is thought that this may be the remains of airfield defences dug for Manston airfield for World War II. (1)

A gun emplacement and revetted slit trench of Second World War date was visible as a structure and earthworks in US/7PH/GP/LOC295 V 5007 20-APR-1944. Part of the trench and its revetment had already been levelled by that time, suggesting that this feature formed part of the earlier Second World War defensive system in the environs of St Nicholas at Wade Defended Area and Manston airfield. The central section of slit trench was mapped as a cropmark from Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 14-APR-2015. The features were recorded as demolished and infilled/levelled on Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021. They were mapped as part of the Historic England Isle of Thanet project in 2024. (2-4)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1996, Canterbury's Archaeology 1994 - 1995 (Serial). SKE11882.

<2> Historic England Archive, 1944, Historic England Archive USAF vertical aerial photographs, US/7PH/GP/LOC295 V 5007 20-APR-1944 (Archive). SKE57114.

<3> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 14-APR-2015 (Archive). SKE57110.

<4> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021 (Archive). SKE57110.