Building record TQ 75 SW 83 - Type 24 pillbox defending Teston Bridge

Summary

In the Second World War a pillbox was sited to defend Teston Bridge in conjunction with a Type 28 anti-tank pillbox 120m to the north east. It was built 35m to the south of the 28a and at the side of the Maidstone to Paddock Wood railway line. It was aligned to face across the river Medway and to protect the river banks in both directions. One of its loopholes faced Teston Bridge. The type 24 pillbox was brick-shuttered and had earth and grass on the roof. It was a thick walled, infantry type pillbox. It was part of a line of pillboxes which were part of the line of defences along the river Medway and sited at intervals. The pillboxes were used to reinforce the obstacle which the river presented as an anti-tank ditch. They were part of linked defensive measures which also included entrenchments, anti-vehicle obstacles and fougasses. See also TQ 75 SW 80 TQ 75 SW 102 TQ 75 SW 103

Location

Grid reference TQ 71003 53536 (point)
Map sheet TQ75SW
County KENT
District MAIDSTONE, KENT
Civil Parish TESTON, MAIDSTONE, KENT

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Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Type 24 pillbox, brick-shuttered, with earth and grass on roof. (2) A Type 24 (thick walled type) infantry pillbox 35 m to the south of a type 28a, at the side of the Maidstone-Paddock Wood railway, aligned to face across the Medway and to enfilade the riverbank in both directions. One of its loopholes also faces the Teston Bridge. Front partially demolished. Still visible in 2018

The pillboxes formed part of a line of defences along the Medway to reinforce the obstacle which the river presented as an anti-tank ditch and to deny its bridge crossings to an invader. These are the remnants of other linked defensive measures which included entrenchments, anti-vehicle obstacles and fougasses. Further pillboxes are sited at intervals along the bank of the river. (1)

Concrete construction, brick facing. Embrasures and entrance open. Hidden in dense undergrowth next to railway. Field of fire: 164 degrees SSE (2)


<1> CBA Defence of Britain Project, 1994, Defence of Britain Site Report (Bibliographic reference). SKE6447.

<2> Kent Defence Research Group, 2024/5, Site recording form for the Maidstone 20th Century Defences Project, site 013 (Digital archive). SKE56292.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Bibliographic reference: CBA Defence of Britain Project. 1994. Defence of Britain Site Report.
  • <2> Digital archive: Kent Defence Research Group. 2024/5. Site recording form for the Maidstone 20th Century Defences Project. site 013.

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Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Survey of Maidstone's 20th Century Military and Civil Defence Sites (EKE23349)

Record last edited

Jul 30 2024 1:22PM