Possible WWII training area situated on and around the sand dunes of Sandwich Flats, Stour Valley. The various features including anti-tank cubes, two rifle ranges, gun pits, military buildings, stop lines, areas of sand extraction, ammunition storage area, barbed wire enclosures around concentrations of military features, minefield and associated fencing and beach scaffolding have all been mapped from military aerial photographs taken throughout the war - see the child records for more details regarding the military features mapped and the sources used.

Along with the military disturbances during WWII, the Sandwich Flats area has also suffered other heavy disturbances over the past 150 years due to the occurrence of coal, gravel, sand, and mineral (salt) extraction, salt pans, along with the light railway that existed across the area transporting these amenities and link the coast to the River Stour. These industries are visible on the OS historic mapping (1 - 4], along with other activities including rifle ranges, three large golf clubs that were in use since the late 19th century.

Due to the sandy terrain and the duration of time that this area has been impacted upon by various types of activity (leisure, industry, military) that have exploited this area, it has been quite difficult to accurately identify many of the features visible on the military aerial photographs, and whether they are actually military or something associated with a former activity.

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1862-1875, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1862-1875 (Map). SWX11831.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1893-7, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898 (Map). SWX11832.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1905-10, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 3rd edition: 1901-1912 (Map). SWX11833.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1928-1947, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 4th edition 1928-1947 (Map). Ske12644.