Defence of Britain Archive
Council for British Archaeology, 2002. (updated 2006) https://doi.org/10.5284/1000327. How to cite using this DOI
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- ADS Collection: 324
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000327
- How to cite using this DOI
Only nine cubes remain in situ after cliff erosion destruction 13/14 February 2005.
(Source: Report 2005/02)
A double line of anti-tank cubes, 5ft x 5ft, running SE to NW parallel to the shore but on the landward side of the dunes. Working from the SE end after 4 cubes there is a gap providing access to the beach. Then there is a continuing double row which finally disappears into the dunes. The dunes are subject to movement and may have covered further blocks at this end. At the gap for beach access next to the most northern of the double row of 4 cubes is a large rectangular concrete block with two large steel girders projecting out. At about cube number 18 towards the northern end of the long double row is a single row of cubes running at a right angle to the W: there are nine cubes in this line.
[Henry Wills lists 80 anti-tank blocks in the area of TG 498197].
(Source: Field Visit 1999/10/16)
Recorder revisits site to note the names appearing in the main on the landward row of the two rows of cubes, with one from the seaward row. The dates suggest that there was over a year's gap in the construction of the two rows. On all the cubes are the remains of wires for camouflage netting to be attached [?].
Pte Vickers 1941
Jack Hindle
A. Claptian [or Ciaptian] 15th Sept. 1941
Pte F. Howell 18.9.41
Pte Russell 1941
Pte. D. Wells 18.9.41
G E 31 [?]
(Source: Field Visit 2000/06/15)
Lines of anti-tank cubes that were developed in 1940 and 1941. In August 1940 there was a single line of cubes (about 20 in all) with a pillbox at the N end [see UORN]. By September 1940 the lines had been lengthened, so that they appeared as two distinct, but joined, lines. By 1944 (and probably much earlier, 1941?) the principal line had become a double row of cubes, crossing Beach Road for which a gap was left. [Bird in 'Silent Sentinels' states that the second line of cubes to make the double line was because the first had sunk into the sands]. The cubes were placed point to point. What appear to be fences (of barbed wire?) were constructed on the beach, joining at one point with the lines of cubes. The rows of cubes were still there complete until 1973 when a car park was made in front of them. From 1979 the seawards rows were being lost to erosion, and by 1981 almost all the N blocks had disappeared.
(Source: Air Photograph 1940/12/17)
Anti-tank cubes, now forming the edges of a beach carpark. These are set edge to edge, and are some 5ft x 5ft x 5ft in size. The coastguard lookout post has its feet set on four of the cubes. Owing to cliff erosion the northernmost end of the principal double line of cubes has tumbled onto the beach below, and others are buried by sand. The westernmost cubes of the joining single line also appear to have been removed. Some 68 cubes survive in a visible state today (including the fallen ones) out of an original 98 (approx.).
(Source: Field Visit 2002/08/02)
A twin line of anti-tank cubes running parallel to the coast to the rear of the dunes for about 100m before turning almost due E towards the sea at which point they previously disappeared into the sand. Recently, many more cubes have been exposed by erosion and fallen onto the beach. Some inscriptions on the cubes indicate construction in 1941. The number '575' can be seen stencilled on some of the cubes. This is either a beach sector number, or just possibly the company number of the Royal Engineers unit doing the construction work.
(Source: Field Visit 2001/10)
94 x concrete blocks detailed on map of post-war coastal survey of defences.
(Source: Document 1950)
This is probably the same site as listed in a documentary source in the 'Winterton Gap' as a roadblock - 56 x 5ft cubes, 7 rails bent.
(Source: Document 1941/07/15)
Double row of anti tank cubes plotted from OS 1:2500 sheet. A further single side row runs from TG 4984519802 to TG 4988019811.
(Source: Map 1977)
| Type of site | CUBE |
|---|---|
| Location | Area of carpark for the beach, N and S of the Coast Guard lookout post (which is built on top of the cubes), Winterton-on-Sea. |
| Area |
Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk, England |
| Grid reference |
TG 49881 19816
TG 49890 19850 (Scale: 1:2500 , 1977) TG 49845 19802 TG 49910 19725 (Scale: 1:2500 , 1977) |
| Period | WW2 |
| Condition | Good |
| Materials | Concrete, Steel |
| Threats |
Type: Coastal erosion (Immediate) Detail: The coastal erosion will destroy more of the in situ blocks before long. |
| Recorder | Dennett, David |
| Defence grouping |
Norfolk coast defences - Coastal crust defences |
| Attached Sheets | (2) - plan of site and list of names appearing on graffiti. |
| Photographs |
Norfolkcubes.jpg)
(7) - site views and close-ups of graffiti and numbering (2 DIGITISED). |
| DOB site reference: | S0009102 |
| Reference |
1999/11 Silent Sentinels: The story of Norfolk's fixed defences during the twentieth century 1985 Pillboxes: A Study of UK Defences 1950 Survey of Coastal Defence Works, Winterton to Caister (?1947-1950) 1941/07/15 9 Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment Defence Scheme 1940/12/17 268A/BR183 (fr A18) 1945/09/23 106G/UK/832 (fr 3195) 1949/06/02 541/264 (fr 3046) 1944/05/28 106G/LA/17 (fr 3005) 1940/08/16 TG4919/52 (fr 3612) 1940/09/19 TG4919/54 (fr 4809) |
| Event |
Field Visit, On 2002/08/02 Construction, In the period 1940 1941 Field Visit, On 1999/10/16 Field Visit, On 2000/06/15 Field Visit, During 2001/10 |
