Second World War spigot mortar emplacement sited in a bank on the western side of Mill Hill Lane, Shorne Hill, Shorne. It consists of a 60cm diameter concrete drum with a stainless steel pivot on its top, within a firer's pit cut into the earth. The spigot mortar was a small metal launcher for an explosive projectile which could be fired to a range of several hundred metres against enemy tanks, vehicles or troops. It traversed on the stainless steel pivot and was actually a gun rather than a mortar. It formed part of the anti-invasion defences of Shorne Village and perhaps of the perimeter of the airfield at nearby RAF Gravesend. It would have been manned by the Home Guard. It would have been built in 1940 and been decommissioned by late 1943. It is still extant.
Owner : Unknown
Publicly accessible : Yes
How accessed for survey : Accessible from and on the edge of a public parking area
Tourism Potential : Some poterntial for inclusion as part of a general village history trail
Condition : moderate
Date of visit : 04/01/06

Smith, V.T.C., 04/01/06, Verbal Communication (Verbal communication). SKE14005.

Smith, V.T.C., 04/01/06, Verbal Communication (Verbal communication). Ske14005.