M3 Corridor - GHQ line - Dipley Copse to Damale's Farm

Continuing off on the trail of the defences around Dipley i made a very very early start the next morning.  Once there was sufficient light to safely cross the boggy woodland i headed out across the fields of Dipley Copse.  Marked up and eventually found were 7 pillboxes which were in varying condition.  Some, despite being covered in foliage were relatively easy to access.  Once certainly wasn't and was completely covered in brambles. One was only possible to see from one side of a hedgerow and completely covered and inaccessible from the other side.  the other Pillboxes i managed to cut my way in using the secateurs which are now a vital part of my equipment used when going out hunting.  Hating bramble and Hawthorn bushes with a vengeance, i can tolerate the nettles, but not getting spiked and caught up in the thorns.  

Still, dawn was breaking through and judging by the grey old sky - i knew the day would be cut short by the rain.  I eventually finished up at 10.30 and made my way home.

Running in a line along the copse and behind a small brook, there are three pillboxes.  After that the ground clears into open fields where there is an extended line of four pillboxes.  Onto the first of the three:


PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24):S0011201

North of Murrell Green.  Facing North.
Completely covered up and it was only using my torch that i managed to locate the pillbox in the low light.  It was hidden in amongst the hawthorne, nettle and ivy.  I managed to cut a crawl through - just enough for me to get in and so i only took the torch and camera with me.

 

The first evidence of a cammo mount in place.

PILLBOX :S0011172

Off the Dipley - Phoenix Green road, signposted 'Borough Court'. 

The EDoB states this as unclassified, and referring to my small plan it has an X shaped AT wall, three embrasures and is square in design.  This is not a small pillbox as you can see.  The exterior brick shuttering is again splitting away due to the usual passage of time and trees taking root anywhere they can.  To me it looks like a Type 26 variant.  The design of the Pillbox is also unusual for the GHQ line.

PILLBOX :S0011200The exteriors were only possible from the side and the rear and these were minimal to say the least.

Crossing the field and getting to the location of a type 24 S0011171, which was completely covered in brambles, i cut my way through 2FT of brambles before it beat me.  I could not see a hint of brickwork that would have encouraged me to carry on.  this pillbox is set low in the ground so even that never heped me to wade through enough of the brambles to even stand on its roof.  This one had me beat for now.  I shall return to this are with heavy shears to give it another go.  After so much effort, i then walked across to the other pillbox which initially looked to be in the same condition.  Thankfully this one was just covered in head height ferns and nettles- an easier option of just wading through and kicking back the ferns around the shuttering.


PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24):S0011171
Success at last.

The view of both pillboxes.  S0011171 is to the right of the photo.

Walking up along the track and sat in the line of the trees to the left of the field.

PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24):S0011203

Again so heavily overgrown that i was happy that  managed to get inside.  Some nice little period features still remain.

Walking up the track and following the line of the fields as if heading up towards Damale's Farm is another Type 24 sat facing across another adjacent field.  Despite attempting to jump the steep bank, this was too dangerous for me so i took the only shot of the pillbox i could, checked back on myself and was greeted with an impenetrable mass of nettles.

Thanks for reading the report.