WWII CONCRETE INFANTRY SECTION POST

WWII CONCRETE INFANTRY SECTION POST, B3191

Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places

Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1393633
Date first listed:: 12-Jan-2010
List Entry Name:: WWII CONCRETE INFANTRY SECTION POST
Statutory Address:: WWII CONCRETE INFANTRY SECTION POST, B3191

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1393633
Date first listed:: 12-Jan-2010
List Entry Name:: WWII CONCRETE INFANTRY SECTION POST
Statutory Address 1:: WWII CONCRETE INFANTRY SECTION POST, B3191

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: WWII CONCRETE INFANTRY SECTION POST, B3191

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Somerset (Unitary Authority)
Parish:: Carhampton
National Grid Reference:: ST 02131 43496

Reasons for Designation

The Second World War infantry section post on the beach at Blue Anchor, Carhampton has been designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * The structure represents a unique survival of a rare form of pillbox * The structure is an integral part of a nationally important defensive landscape * The structure is closely associated with a contemporary gun position * The structure provides an insight into anti-glider tactics

Details

CARHAMPTON

444/0/10010 B3191 12-JAN-10 Blue Anchor (North of) WWII Concrete Infantry Section Post

II A rectangular pillbox of bunker-like appearance with two wings, known as an infantry section post, built in the summer of 1940. The structure includes a substantial three sided concrete wall protecting a covered gallery to the rear. The concrete is of a very rough character, including large beach pebbles to the roof, possibly for camouflage. There are four embrasures in each of the side walls and three in the front. One of the embrasures in each of the side walls is much larger and was designed to accommodate a heavy machine gun. The gallery was accessed via a pair of (now blocked) entrances facing to the rear. To the rear of the central pillbox is a horse-shoe shaped hollow defined by a concrete revetment. This represents the site of a gun position.

HISTORY: After the defeat at Dunkirk in May 1940, Britain was faced with the prospect of imminent invasion. To counter this danger, an anti-invasion plan was developed by General Sir Edmund Ironside, Commander-in-Chief Home Forces who created a series of static defence lines which were largely in place by the end of the year. The coastal defences included a series of closely spaced pillboxes and other obstacles manned by the Home Guard. The Somerset coast was protected by a series of defences including coastal batteries, anti-tank blocks and girders, gun emplacements, cones, infantry section posts, slit trenches and large numbers of pillboxes. The infantry section posts were constructed in the period between June and September 1940 and the ad hoc K1 Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry from the Infantry Training Centre in Taunton was responsible for most of the work. The defended locality known as Blue Anchor Bay included at least 12 pillboxes, an infantry section post, an anti-tank girder and obstacles. This infantry section post was built to protect a length of beach which it was believed was susceptible to glider attack, and to defend the nearby railway station.

SOURCES: Somerset Historic Environment Record 35367 National Monument Record No. ST 04 SW 95 Defence of Britain Database S0001569 Foot, W., 2004, Defence Areas: a national study of Second World War anti-invasion landscapes in England. English Heritage and the Council for British Archaeology.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION The Second World War infantry section post on the beach at Blue Anchor, Carhampton is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * The structure represents a unique survival of a rare form of pillbox * The structure is an integral part of a nationally important defensive landscape * The structure is closely associated with a contemporary gun position * The structure provides an insight into anti-glider tactics

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 506925
Legacy System:: LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.