Monument record MWX1477 - Second World War slit trench system, Studland Heath, Studland

World War II slit trenches with machine gun or rifle positions identified on Studland Heath, Studland. The trench has an average width of 4 feet and an average depth of 4 feet. It is in a zig-zag design. Its field of fire covers an area of three-five miles. This probably had been constructed by early August 1940 and was situated within the Studland Sub-Sector, defended by the 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment from October 1940, replaced in April 1941 by the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards. The Home Guard unit manning defences within this sector was No.2 (East Purbeck) Company, 7th (Wareham) Battalion. A field visit in 1993 found the earthworks to be extant.

Trench system, with machine gun/rifle positions, in a zig-zag design. Covered in bracken and gorse. Width approx. 4ft, average depth 4ft: sides caving in. Field of fire for 3-5 miles. On the forward slope of a spur, on Studland Heath, Corfe Castle Estate, Studland. <1>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0013748 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0013748 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1427865 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 27 2023 10:41AM