Hi all For any pillbox fans, came across this one at Wilford Bridge, Suffolk. Not only does it never seem to have been 'officially' recorded before (not on Defence of Britain data base or Suffolk County Council HER - both now informed), but also its of a design never recorded before. Its basically an irregular hexagon which housed a six pounder anti-tank gun.It has four standard bren gun embrasures and a rifle embrasure in the shortest side. It has a low level protected entrance with a second low level entrance, presumably an access point for the six pounder. Plan and photo attached - you can see further details and photos in my blog pillboxesinsuffolk.blogspot.com. If your interested in WW2 anti-invasion defences in Suffolk I'm aslo working on a website: pillboxes-suffolk.webedn.co.uk but please note its still very much a work in progress! Dave
Hi Dave, Cheers for the post...How did you come across it and any ideas what it was defending? Regards Andy
That looks a beauty! But, how in blazes could such a whopper as that have been over looked? Methinks you might be recovering previously not so carefully charted ground there, Dave! Good luck with making a proper job of it
impressive structure there Something like that needs recording and protecting - especially if it turns out to be unique.
It's amazing how many structures are uncovered so long after being built. The history would be worth finding out as a structure like that must have been serving a useful purpose. Well posted. Regards Tom
Hi all Sorry, should have stated what it was defending. It was part of a military strong point defending Wilford Bridge. Any German forces landing on the Suffolk Coast between Bawdsey and Orford would,if heading inland have hit the River Deben. Wilford Bridge was and still is the main crossing point. Structures already recorded include five pillboxes (four type 22's and a Suffolk Square) of which three still remain. All are on the south side of the river, the one I found is on the north side and is the only reason I can think of as to why it has been overlooked to date. The importance of this site can be gauged by a training exercise held in Sept 1940 (Exercise Force Donnerwetter) - which envisaged a combined enemy land and air landing; in the exercise, the 'German' force made an 'air' landing at Sutton Walks in order to seize the bridge for the use of the main force. Hope to do some posts on the blog with more details of this exercise soon.
