Monument record MWX1324 - Avon Run Road, Friars Cliff, Christchurch; coastal artillery battery

The site of Mudeford coastal battery, an emergency battery built during the Second World War as part of Southern Command's coastal defences. The battery was operational by October 1941 and mounted two 6-inch ex-naval guns. It was armed until at least September 1944 and manned by 175 Battery of 554 Coast Regiment. Aerial photography from 1946 shows that the battery had been mostly dismantled.

Coastal battery. Potential BOP at SZ199929. No gun emplacements visible. [information from 1946 aerial photographs]. Mudeford, Christchurch. <1-3>

Mudeford coastal battery located at SZ 191 926. This was an emergency battery built during the Second World War as part of Southern Command's coastal defences. The battery was operational by October 1941 and mounted two 6-inch ex-naval guns. It was armed until at least September 1944 and manned by 175 Battery of 554 Coast Regiment. <4>

Aerial photography from 1946 shows that the battery had been mostly dismantled. A potential battery observation post was located at SZ 199 929 and two further buildings at SZ 1990 9288. They were in poor condition. The gun emplacements had been removed. <5>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0015183 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2003, Defence of Britain Project Database, S0015183 (Machine readable data file). SDO128.

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0015183 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<4> Dobinson, C S, 2000, Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.2. Coast artillery, 1900-1956 (Monograph). SDO17229.

<5> Anderton, M J, 2000, Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two Coastal Batteries, 71 (Unpublished document). SDO17230.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1429257 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 8 2023 4:34PM