Monument record MWX1345 - Second World War pillbox, Chesil Beach, Portland

A hexagonal shaped structure is visible on aerial photographs of Chesil Beach taken in the 1940s. It is considered likely to be the remains of a Type 22 pillbox associated with Second World War activity in this area. The pillbox is situated on the on the Fleet side of Chesil Beach between the Chesil Beach Centre and the old rifle range butts. Construction took place sometime between 1940-41. A field visit in 1996 recorded a hexagonal base with walls 18 inches thick.

What appear to be the remains of a hexagonal pillbox buried in the pebbles of the beach. 18ins wall thickness.On the Fleet side between the Chesil Beach Centre and the old rifle range butts. <1-3>

A hexagonal shaped structure is visible on aerial photographs of Chesil Beach taken in the 1940s <4-5>, located at NGR SY 66586 75631. It is considered likely to be the remains of a Type 22 pillbox associated with Second World War activity in this area. This feature was digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0005845 (Digital archive). SWX5.

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

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0005845 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<4> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 F36 3428-29 (Aerial Photograph). SDO13109.

<5> Royal Air Force, 30-AUG-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/2273 5232-33 (Aerial Photograph). SDO13115.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1420360 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2024 4:37PM