The dispersal area
Continuing the walk around this site - over the A34 and crossing the bridge you will come across a mud track. Cut into a wedge between the A34 and the A272, the path from the bridge follows the northern section and all the pillboxes are sat close to the path. The sun had come out finally and the sky was clearing so walking what would be a hellish muddy track turned out quite pleasant. I did get a strange look when photographing the tank traps. Is it just me who goes all self concious when loitering around in a wooded area. Possibly!
This is a Police Watch area too which added to the 'what are you up to'
PILLBOX (VARIANT): S0010978
Listed as a 22/24 variant offering an round field of fire. It just shows how much the landscape changes over the years as the eastern side of the track is a high bank.
Shots through the embrasures due to the entrance being sealed. Thankfully most on this side of the A34 had been opened up again by someone.
PILLBOX (VARIANT): S0010979
Thankfully no glass was around and i managed to crawl through.
ANTI TANK BLOCK: S0010981?
The second trap.
Detail of the base.
Located further into the woods off the track on the right hand side, and dark and dank in its setting, i didn't fancy crawling into this one so took the internals again through the embrasures.
I then decided to walk down to the furthest pillboxes walking along the side of the A272, cutting through the woods in the approximate location of the next pillbox. Having picked up the pillbox on the right hand side of the road, it was then back over the other side and heading towards the lower section of a wooded area. It was then back up the track for the second Quetta hut. Logical to me anyhow.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/22): S0012729
Crossing over the A272 and following the path in the woods, you will come across this pillbox sat on the edge of the woods overlooking a field. It had been sealed up at one point in time but broken back open. Set right back from the road, i initially struggled to locate this one.
I made a decision to crawl into this one.
Still showing the positioning marks for the shelving.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/22): S0012728
Back over the A272 and at the southern end of the wooded area.
The tidiest pillbox i have come across. There was a broom inside, it was dry and aside from the entrance, not a spot of rubbish.
Heading back up to the edge of the same wooded area and located just off a main track is this hut which looks to be for ablutions. There are two separate cubicles at the rear so this could possibly be correct.
Back up to the final part of the dispersal site that can be documented. The second Quetta hut, tank traps and blocks. when originally walking in to inspect this area, i didn't walk down the path towards them, i walked across and then back up to the A272. This is quite a concentrated area and as a result would make the theory of the hut being a guard hut quite plausible. This Quetta hut is in better condition than the first one i visited.
The view from the hut to the tank obstacles.
The dispersal area is on the southern approach to the main airfield and as you can see from the documented photographs, fairly heavily defended in two banks of pillboxes and the AT blocks. This is logical from a ground assault point of view as it was expected the main thrust of the attack from possible invasion forces would come from the south.
Again thanks for viewing. I shall post up the remainder of what i got to on the first visit later.
Continuing the walk around this site - over the A34 and crossing the bridge you will come across a mud track. Cut into a wedge between the A34 and the A272, the path from the bridge follows the northern section and all the pillboxes are sat close to the path. The sun had come out finally and the sky was clearing so walking what would be a hellish muddy track turned out quite pleasant. I did get a strange look when photographing the tank traps. Is it just me who goes all self concious when loitering around in a wooded area. Possibly!
This is a Police Watch area too which added to the 'what are you up to'
PILLBOX (VARIANT): S0010978
Listed as a 22/24 variant offering an round field of fire. It just shows how much the landscape changes over the years as the eastern side of the track is a high bank.
Shots through the embrasures due to the entrance being sealed. Thankfully most on this side of the A34 had been opened up again by someone.
PILLBOX (VARIANT): S0010979
Thankfully no glass was around and i managed to crawl through.
Fixing mounts for the loophole surround for the gun mount.
Continuing down the track - on the right hand side are two tank traps. This is the first time i have seen these and as with the others further into the woods on the left side of the track - the metal is possibly an attempt to foul or rip out the bottom of a tank at speed. Disable it enough to get some disabling charge or fire onto the tank.
ANTI TANK BLOCK: S0010981?
The second trap.
Detail of the base.
PILLBOX (VARIANT): S0010980
Located further into the woods off the track on the right hand side, and dark and dank in its setting, i didn't fancy crawling into this one so took the internals again through the embrasures.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/22): S0012729
Crossing over the A272 and following the path in the woods, you will come across this pillbox sat on the edge of the woods overlooking a field. It had been sealed up at one point in time but broken back open. Set right back from the road, i initially struggled to locate this one.
I made a decision to crawl into this one.
The strange detritus often found in a pillbox can be tyres,rubbish,stolen goods, knickers and bra!!, etc....it's a real healthy occupational hazard,
The remnants of the firing shelf overlooking the entrance porch.
Again a loophole showing the bracket mounts. Nicked as a souvenir or for scrap metal scroungers. Either way a real shame.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/22): S0012728
Back over the A272 and at the southern end of the wooded area.
I'm in love with a bracket mount. Not many can say that!!
Heading back up to the edge of the same wooded area and located just off a main track is this hut which looks to be for ablutions. There are two separate cubicles at the rear so this could possibly be correct.
Entrance to the toilets.
Pimms and Lemonade anyone?
The view from the hut to the tank obstacles.
Again thanks for viewing. I shall post up the remainder of what i got to on the first visit later.
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