Monument record TR 26 NE 1214 - German 'uncertain' defence structure shown on 1940 Luftwaffe map. Mounds, gun emplacements, ditches seen on aerial photographs at this location

Summary

In the late 1930s and early 1940s the German air force carried our aerial reconnaissance of British defences. They identified a number of sites of possible military nature and depicted them on a 1940 map. The map was at 1:50,000 scale, however, and reflects the uncertain nature of the Germans' information. The map included a 'Klein Kampf-Anlage' defence structure here. Earthwork mounds, gun emplacements and ditches seen on 1944 aerial photographs at this location.

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 2610 6717 (179m by 133m)
Map sheet TR26NE
County KENT
District THANET, KENT
Civil Parish ST NICHOLAS AT WADE, THANET, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

German 'uncertain' 'Klein Kampf-Anlage' defence structure shown on a Luftwaffe reconnaissance map (11.1940); approx location. (1,2)

Aerial photographs taken in 1944 -US/7PH/GP/LOC286 V 5005 19-APR-1944 - record two rows of small mounds (possibly post or aerial foundations), two gun emplacements and an infilled trench to the south of the A299 on the northern edge of St Nicholas at Wade in the vicinity of this Luftwaffe record. These features are likely military features associated with the established Defended Area set up around the village at the beginning of the Second World War. These features were mapped from aerial photographs as part of the Historic England Thanet Landscape Mapping Project 2024 (3-4)


<1> 1940, Aerial reconnaissance map created by the Luftwaffe (Germain Air Force) in 1940 (Map). SKE31323.

<2> Mark Samuel, 2015, Defence of Thanet Project: verbal communication from Mark Samuel (Verbal communication). SKE30957.

<3> Historic England Archive, 1944, Historic England Archive USAF vertical aerial photographs, US/7PH/GP/LOC286 V 5005 19-APR-1944 (Archive). SKE57114.

<4> Historic England Archive, 1941-1960, Historic England Archive RAF vertical aerial photographs, RAF/106G/UK/1378 V 5062 04-APR-1946 (Archive). SKE57101.

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Map: 1940. Aerial reconnaissance map created by the Luftwaffe (Germain Air Force) in 1940.
  • <2> Verbal communication: Mark Samuel. 2015. Defence of Thanet Project: verbal communication from Mark Samuel.
  • <3> Archive: Historic England Archive. 1944. Historic England Archive USAF vertical aerial photographs. US/7PH/GP/LOC286 V 5005 19-APR-1944.
  • <4> Archive: Historic England Archive. 1941-1960. Historic England Archive RAF vertical aerial photographs. RAF/106G/UK/1378 V 5062 04-APR-1946.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Historic England Thanet Landscape - Aerial Investigation Mapping (EKE23827)

Record last edited

Oct 16 2024 6:22PM