Somehow missing out a pillbox the other day that was in touching distance irritated me enough to go and do something about it. My last full day before going back to work had to be constructive somehow. Checking out of the window if there was even a slight chance of rain i was pleased to see that though it was overcast, that the rain could hold off.
That was enough for me to be off out for the day exploring the sights and sounds of Hampshire. I already had the area mapped out for the locations i wished to visit and although not a vast area covered, in a cluster around Totters Farm there was eventually 6 confirmed pillboxes, 3 missing in action despite the search and one not listed on the DoB layer in the correct position.
The final area i visited was in Newnham for a pillbox variant sat on the corner of someone's garden, AT pimples and a cracking example of a Spigot Mortar Emplacement. Usually with a Spigot Mortar you will find just the base mount but this is only the second occasion of finding the complete emplacement. This one has been lovingly restored too so it was a right bonus and capped off the end of another personal great explore.
Being off out on my own is often the best feeling in the world, with the humdrum of life being left behind, allowing me to switch off, rarely see anyone and simply enjoy the new sights and sounds of this great country.
Today i also came across another Bluebell Wooded area and with the light cast onto the glade and the flowers it was just perfect. I just wish the two pillboxes i was looking for had been in there but there might have been removed. I also almost stood on the carcass of a dead fox but thankfully avoided it at the last second.
Anyhow - less about me and onto the point of this report.
Parking the car up on Borough Court Road it was simply a case of tracing my steps from the other day.
Getting to this pillbox though wasn't too easy as the brambles were out in force in this area and i kept getting snagged up.
The pillbox below closes off the final of the four pillboxes that surround this field.
That was enough for me to be off out for the day exploring the sights and sounds of Hampshire. I already had the area mapped out for the locations i wished to visit and although not a vast area covered, in a cluster around Totters Farm there was eventually 6 confirmed pillboxes, 3 missing in action despite the search and one not listed on the DoB layer in the correct position.
The final area i visited was in Newnham for a pillbox variant sat on the corner of someone's garden, AT pimples and a cracking example of a Spigot Mortar Emplacement. Usually with a Spigot Mortar you will find just the base mount but this is only the second occasion of finding the complete emplacement. This one has been lovingly restored too so it was a right bonus and capped off the end of another personal great explore.
Being off out on my own is often the best feeling in the world, with the humdrum of life being left behind, allowing me to switch off, rarely see anyone and simply enjoy the new sights and sounds of this great country.
Today i also came across another Bluebell Wooded area and with the light cast onto the glade and the flowers it was just perfect. I just wish the two pillboxes i was looking for had been in there but there might have been removed. I also almost stood on the carcass of a dead fox but thankfully avoided it at the last second.
Anyhow - less about me and onto the point of this report.
Parking the car up on Borough Court Road it was simply a case of tracing my steps from the other day.
Getting to this pillbox though wasn't too easy as the brambles were out in force in this area and i kept getting snagged up.
The pillbox below closes off the final of the four pillboxes that surround this field.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0006801
Type 24 pillbox, with thickened walls - truncated standard version. Variant form of a type 24 brick-shuttered pillbox - faces South West and overlooks the field.Metal support bars all round the pillbox, probably remains of camouflage.
Initially the pillbox was closed off to anyone attempting to enter the pillbox but i made short work of stamping down the brambles. I really need to get into a pillbox where it is feasible to have a good look at the build quality, minor details and small quirks.
The shutter had a double brick rest which was a nice touch.
The angle of the rear wall somehow looked strange!! An interesting variation on build.
Hopping into the car for the short drive over the A30 and turning into an Industrial Estate, where i had stopping off and detailed a pillbox previously, it was time to take in food, ciggies, and drink before taking a walk along the A30 and down a public track to the next set of pillboxes. For once it was a pleasant walk along the side of the fields, leaving the drone of the traffic behind.
Heading past a section of farm sheds, the first pillbox was sat of the brow of the hill and easy to spot. The second pillbox was just around the bend in the field so these two were so easy to detail.
Heading past a section of farm sheds, the first pillbox was sat of the brow of the hill and easy to spot. The second pillbox was just around the bend in the field so these two were so easy to detail.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0011196
West of Winchfield, South of Murrell Green.
Note the deliberate positioning of the brick facing. Advertising!!
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0011195
Sat just around the bend at the end of the field and with a short two minute walk.
A classic example of frost blowing the brickwork.
Having then walked back to the car it really was a situation where i had to decide how to get to the next set of pillboxes. As most of the defences ran parallel with the Basingstoke to London rail line it was simply the best way to take all the pillboxes in without having to double back on myself. I decided on the long route of going down a track and then following the public right of way in a sweeping curve to end back at the car.
Travelling light proved the right option. Firstly my best option was to head to a type 24 sat on the side of a field down a challenging dirt track. Initially i had thought about getting the bike out of the back of the car and cycling the route but this would have proved more of a hindrance to me.
Travelling light proved the right option. Firstly my best option was to head to a type 24 sat on the side of a field down a challenging dirt track. Initially i had thought about getting the bike out of the back of the car and cycling the route but this would have proved more of a hindrance to me.
No classification or information on the DoB layer. Facing South Westerly in direction and sat on the right hand side of the track as you head towards the rail line.
Climbing into the pillbox was a tentative affair.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/26): S0012663
Type 26 infantry pillbox, brick-shuttered, guarding the railblock on the Basingstoke - London line near Potbridge.
Walking along the public footpath in a wooded area called Beggars' Copse on the south side of the rail lines, the area eventually opens up. Sat on the south Side of the rail track and sat close to the fence.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/22)
Unlisted on the DoB layer with no classification. The main field of fire is Southern facing.
Proximity of both pillboxes.
Sat either side of Totters Lane road bridge at a great cluster of AT Pimples. there is further evidence of them on the North side of the track too. In total - with the AT Pimples and three Pillboxes - this bridge was well defended.
ANTI TANK PIMPLE: S0011188
Anti-tank 'pimples'. Anti-tank obstacles referred to as 'pimples' either side of the railway line NW, SW, and SE of the railway bridge. 20 in total. For once - amazingly clear of nettles and brambles.
Sat on the other side of the road on the South side of the bridge approach.
On the North Western side of the bridge.
Sat on the North Eastern side of the bridge and conveniently sat right next to the gate to the field is a Type 22.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/22): S0006797
Type 22 shell-proof pillbox. Pillbox - type 24. X-shaped blast wall. Metal embrasure shutters. [There is a variance of view on this structure as to whether it is a type 22 or type 24].
Taking a walk down the lane to head over to the public right of way - for once i wasn't being chased around a field by the cows. Casting a lazy eye over me - for once curiosity never got the better of them.
This area according to the DoB has three pillboxes in the area. One on the South side of the track and two in the copse of trees on the other side. A fail on all three of them. There was no indication of them anywhere. To cut under the track i had to go through this tunnel which was fine but i somehow felt claustrophobic and couldn't see where i was stepping. That was after being honked at by some incessant Canadian Geese who were with their chicks.
No sign of those Pillboxes but this area was heavily carpeted in Bluebells.
The final area i wished to visit was Newnham to view three points of interest. The Spigot Mortar was of real interest to me as research showed it was still in it's original build with the Ammo Lockers. I have only ever seen one other example of this in Hertfordshire so i was pleased to finally get the location and view this.
Firstly stopping off at the local Memorial in Newnham Road.
Further down the same road was the pillbox variant i wished to see. Sat in the rear of a garden and possibly converted into a storage area, i was concious that i didn't want to seem to be acting too suspiciously!
PILLBOX (VARIANT): S0011176
Pillbox - unclassified. Larger than average. Twin embrasures on three sides. Polygonal pillbox; brick-shuttered - faces South.
Sat almost opposite to the pillbox above and on the top of the bank to the rail line running below, is a nice cluster of AT Pimples.
ANTI TANK PIMPLE: S0011187
SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT
The final visit of the day and thankfully i found the location. Sat on the south side of Black Bridge between the Rail Track and Bells Bushes, this is a fine example of a Spigot Emplacement. It has been restored judging by the most recent photograph and capped off a fine days walking around in the countryside. No rain either - so a real win win all around.
Thanks for reading the report.
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