Monument record 1477737 - Documentary evidence suggests that this is the site of a Second World War light anti aircraft (Diver) battery at Littlestone-on-Sea.

Summary

Documentary evidence suggests that this is the site of a Second World War light anti aircraft (Diver) battery at Littlestone-on-Sea. Earthworks which may have formed this anti-aircraft battery are visible on aerial photographs of 1941 adjacent to the seaward side of Marine Parade, New Romney. These features were mapped from aerial photographs as part of the South East RCZAS NMP project.

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 0840 2440 (-484000m by -484000m) (11 map features)
Map sheet TR02SE
County KENT
District FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE, KENT
Civil Parish NEW ROMNEY, SHEPWAY, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

Site of a Second World War light anti aircraft (Diver) battery at Litlestone on Sea. This was armed with 40mm guns, and was manned by 2886 RAF Regiment when it was deployed here on 17th July 1944. It formed part of the Littlestone Section of 43 Anti Aircraft Brigade Light Anti Aircraft Artillery (1). The earthworks which may be the remains of the Second World War anti-aircraft battery mentioned in the documentary sources (1) are centred at TR 0840 2428, and extend across an area measuring approximately 68m SSW to NNE. It consists of three separate v-shaped banked enclosures; facing out to sea. They all measure roughly 12m SSW to NNE and 8m WNW to ESE. It is thought that the banks would have provided some shelter for anti-aircraft gun emplacements. They appear to have been contemporary with three further small possible anti-aircraft gun emplacements on the beach (Monument Number 1533923); a beachfront length of defensive barbed wire (Monument Number 1533960); a possible minefield (Monument Number 1533969); and two separate lines of beach scaffolding (Monument Numbers 1533929, 1533948). On vertical aerial photographs of 2006; the banks of this possible anti-aircraft battery are still faintly visible as earthworks against the wall alongside Marine Parade (2-3).


<1> Dobinson, C., Operation Diver : England's Defence Against the Flying Bomb, June 1944-March 1945, pp 213 (Monograph). SWX23707.

<2> RAF, 1941, NMR RAF/26L/UK/924 9203-4 06-DEC-1941 (Photograph). SWX23865.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <1> Monograph: Dobinson, C.. Operation Diver : England's Defence Against the Flying Bomb, June 1944-March 1945. pp 213.
  • <2> Photograph: RAF. 1941. NMR RAF/26L/UK/924 9203-4 06-DEC-1941.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (5)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Ref: 71330) (EWX10073)

Record last edited

Jul 6 2017 11:51AM