Monument record MWX1476 - Second World War range observation bunker or pillbox, Studland Heath, Studland

A possible range observation bunker or pillbox located on Studland Heath. If it is a pillbox, it appears to be a variation of a type 24 design with its embrasures facing southwest, north, and northwest. From 1942 Studland Heath was in use as a military training area. Although this structure has been described as a possible pillbox, it is more likely to be a range observation bunker as it faces south and therefore seems very unlikely to have an anti-invasion role. It is possible the structure was built in 1940-41 and is built of brick and reinforced concrete. A field visit in 1995 found it to be in a good condition. The pillbox and an adjacent structure are visible as structures on aerial photographs of 1946.

A brick and concrete pillbox, which appears to be a variation of a type 24 design. Flooded with water. Embrasures face SW, N, and NW.

[With plan, providing measurements, drawn on form]. A brick and concrete pillbox, which appears to be a variation of a type 24 design. Flooded with water. Embrasures face SW, N, and NW. Studland Heath, Corfe Castle Estate, Studland. <2>

The pillbox described above in is visible as a structure on aerial photographs of 1946 <1>. The Type 24 variant design pillbox and a sub-square building of similar size are located adjacent to an area of trackways on the Heath <1>. These features were digitally plotted as part of the Wild Purbeck Mapping Project.

<1> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1821 4394-5 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12806.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0007705 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0007705 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1422086 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 27 2023 1:45PM