Block house at SY 69618 73917 (East Weare Batteries #2)
A block house of c. 1905 date, located at the former D Battery of East Weare Batteries (grid reference: SY 69618 73917). It was one of a number of block houses to be built around the perimeter of the batteries in c. 1905, when an unclimbable steel fence was added around A, B and C Batteries. Built of reinforced concrete, it has a six-sided plan and wide embrasures for rifle fire both front and flank. The block house was to be manned by infantry to defend against a landward attack. During World War II, the block house was utilised as a pillbox as part of British anti-invasion preparations, at a time when the German's invasion plan, Operation Sea Lion, was considered a major threat.
As part of the Defence of Britain Project, the block house was inspected in 1996 and was recorded as being extant. At the time, the site had been tidied up and cleared of undergrowth by the Royal Navy. It survives to date, although the surrounding area has again become obscured by foliage. Due to the structure's position on a raised platform, it is one of the few features at D Battery not to be entirely obscured by undergrowth.
The structure is located on Portland Port Ltd land and is inaccessible to the public. However, it can be viewed from a distance in the grounds of the Jailhouse Cafe at the Verne Citadel.
References
1) Heritage Gateway - Second World War pillbox, East Weare Batteries, Portland - 4 001 206 - website page
2) Pastscape - Monument No. 1427856 - website page
As part of the Defence of Britain Project, the block house was inspected in 1996 and was recorded as being extant. At the time, the site had been tidied up and cleared of undergrowth by the Royal Navy. It survives to date, although the surrounding area has again become obscured by foliage. Due to the structure's position on a raised platform, it is one of the few features at D Battery not to be entirely obscured by undergrowth.
The structure is located on Portland Port Ltd land and is inaccessible to the public. However, it can be viewed from a distance in the grounds of the Jailhouse Cafe at the Verne Citadel.
References
1) Heritage Gateway - Second World War pillbox, East Weare Batteries, Portland - 4 001 206 - website page
2) Pastscape - Monument No. 1427856 - website page
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