Monument record MDO46982 - World War Two anti-tank trap, Stratton

A World War II type 26 pillbox with an iron door, located on the landward side of Chesil Beach by the anti-tank blocks at Reeds End. The pillbox was one of four pillboxes associated with the double row of anti tank blocks which crosses the beach (NMR HOB UID 1426263). It is square on plan and built of concrete. The pillbox was constructed in 1940 and was situated within the Abbotsbury Defence area, which at this time, was manned by the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. A field visit in 1995 found it half buried in the beach and tilted at an angle.

Anti-tank block located under the southern of three railway arches at the Grimstone to Sydling St. Nicholas railway line: centre arch has roadway and northern arch has river and deep ditch and therefore impassable to vehicles. Anti-tank block is constructed of concrete built in situ, using corrugated iron sheeting placed in a vertical pattern (apex on top). Dimensions, 4ft square, 3ft high with 14ins apex on top. Positioned 3ft from each side of railway arch.Under Grimstone Railway Bridge. <1-3>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0000060 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2003, Defence of Britain Project Database, S0000060 (Machine readable data file). SDO128.

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0000060 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1416278 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

May 22 2024 7:35PM