Second World War Type 23 'Lincolnshire-Type' pillbox East of Alberta in the Rimac Defended Locality.

Record update (28/11/2019) C. Kolonko- Field survey undertaken on 10 October 2019 by C. Kolonko & S. Griffiths with L. & J. Havell & C. Sanderson (CITiZAN volunteers). With thanks to D. Suty of Natural England.

Second World War infantry pillbox built to bullet-proof standard. This pillbox design is often referred to as a 'Lincolnshire-Type' or 'Lincolnshire three-bay', though the origins of this term are unclear and it is not currently possible to confirm that this was a term used during the Second World War to describe this pillbox design. This pillbox design is also sometimes referred to as a 'FW3/23 variant'. Again, there has been no documentary research conducted to confirm whether this pillbox was considered a variant of the FW3/23 drawing at the time, or whether it was assigned its own specific drawing number; which would make it a unique, localised ‘type’ in its own right. Archive research is required to confirm an accurate term for this pillbox design.

The overall form of this pillbox is rectangular in plan, with two square, enclosed fighting positions at each extent, joined by a central open bay which incorporates the entrance to the position and a concrete platform. Dimensions for the structure are 6.57m in length and 2.60m in width. Walls are 0.38m thick (bullet-proof standard), though it was noted that the East facing wall in this example was 0.39m thick at the central enclosure. A measurement for the thickness of the roof was not possible at the time of survey but is estimated to be 0.25m thick. The structure is constructed from reinforced concrete with wooden shuttering used as a formwork.

The central 'well' is often interpreted as a 'light anti-aircraft gun' position, as is indicated on the FW/3 23 drawing. The gun in question could have been a Bren Light Machine Gun, Lewis Light Machine Gun, or Hotchkiss Mk I* M1909 employed in the LAA role and operated by a crew of two. Observation during the field survey indicated that this open position would have been relatively cramped, possibly limiting the operation of the LAA gun to an arc from the North-East to South-East. This position is also highly exposed, leaving the crew unprotected by the enclosure from the waist upwards. The practicalities of operating within this position need to be investigated further using experimental archaeology techniques. The central well of this example featured an upright concrete post measuring 0.15m by 0.15m. The post featured three circular holes approximately 0.02m in diameter. These were located in the top of the post, and also 0.30m below the top of the post on the North and South faces. The function of these holes is likely to relate to the mounting used on this post, presumably for a LAA gun if that is the function of this post.

This pillbox faces to the East, with the entrance facing West, indicating that the expected avenue of approach for enemy troops was from the East. The pillbox’s embrasures can be found in the North, East, South and West faces, with two embrasures in the East and West faces and a single embrasure in the North and South faces (See images for locations). The embrasures would have provided an approximate arc of fire of 60 degrees.

The pillbox features embrasures for Light Machine Guns (likely to be the Bren LMG) which would have also allowed the firing of rifles from within the pillbox. The embrasures sit flush with the outer surfaces of the structure, with no stepping to prevent projectiles from being funnelled into the structure. On first appearance, the lack of stepped embrasures seems logical as the embrasure is flush with the outer surface. However, measurements taken during survey reveal the sides of the embrasure taper inwards very slightly, creating a slight funnel into which incoming projectiles may be directed into the interior of the structure. Each embrasure also features a recess on the bottom surface. This would have been used to contain the folded bipod of the LMG. It is possible that a partially filled sandbag would be placed within the embrasures used to prevent damage to the bipod. This embrasure design is similar to that used in the lozenge shaped pillboxes found in Yorkshire. However, the embrasure employed in the lozenge shaped pillboxes allows the bipod to be deployed in the extended state. Whether this is evidence for the evolution of this embrasure design is unclear. This feature contrasts with the example to the south (Pillbox CITiZAN Ref: 26005), which lacks this recess. This could be an indicator of the evolution of the design and the identification for the need for the bipod recess during construction.

The South facing embrasure has been modified post-construction with a significant section of the outer surface chipped away on the left and right extents of surface chipped away. This modification has been noted on other Second World War era pillboxes and was carried out by soldiers garrisoning the position to increase the available arcs of fire. In this case, the modification increases the arc of fire by approximately 10 degrees to the South-West and 15 degrees towards the South-East. This modification has also exposed the metal rebar on the right-hand side of the loophole. The effectiveness of this modification is more apparent from the interior of the pillbox (see images).

Access to the interior of the pillbox was possible at time of survey and an assessment of the interior of the Southern chamber carried out. Survey of all exterior faces was restricted due to heavy vegetation growth. As this pillbox sits within a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest any cropping of this vegetation is not advised without prior consent and coordination with the landowner, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England.

The interior of the Southern chamber is accessed during the survey, while the North chamber was inaccessible due to sand accretion. The chambers are entered via a small entrance just 0.45m wide, originally approximately 1m in height. The interior is dry and in good condition, with the interior surfaces retaining their application of whitewash; a common feature of wartime pillboxes. Space within the chamber is limited. Internally, the loopholes are widely splayed with flat sides to facilitate the 60 degree arc of fire. A pair of cut off L-shaped bars sits flush against the wall below each loophole. These would have originally been provided to hold a wooden shelf, but appear to have been removed; possibly by soldiers occupying the position to aid movement within the pillbox.

In practice, access would have been very difficult in combat conditions, especially when considering that a soldier would be wearing 37 pattern webbing in Musketry or Light Fighting Order, a respirator haversack, gas cape in the ready position and a helmet. Bringing a weapon such as the Bren LMG into the chamber would also be a delicate task and very difficult in a hurry. This suggests that the pillbox was to be occupied only in the event of an invasion being imminent and during the times of stand-to each day. The interior of the pillbox would have been further restricted by the required ammunition and supplies that would be stored within the structure. The limited space within the pillbox also suggests that each chamber could only be occupied by two or three soldiers at the very most. These soldiers were likely the two-person Bren gun team and Section Second in Command.

To consider the original landscape and defensive context of this pillbox, we must first understand that the surrounding landscape has changed considerably since the 1940s. Much of the surrounding landscape from the North to South is now established salt-marsh. In 1940, at the time of construction, the pillbox would have been sited on the coast edge, approximately 500m (measurement determined from period OS map) above the high water mark of an extensive beach. The current low water mark is similar to that of the 1940s. The salt-marsh that covers much of the surrounding landscape was created following major coastal flooding in 1953.

The surrounding landscape is relatively flat from the North to South, with good viewsheds across the flanks and forward arcs. From this location the pillbox was been sited to cover the flood defence bank to the rear of the position and the expanse of beach to the flanks and front of the pillbox. There was no discernible attempt to camouflage the pillbox noted during the field survey and a general lack of camouflage appears to be relatively common for Coastal Crust pillboxes constructed within Northern Command.

Visibility and arcs of fire between the North-West to South-West arc would have been limited by vegetation and the flood bank. Fire could be brought to bear in enfilade to the North and South, with frontal fire possible on an arc from the North-East and South-East. The arcs of fire would have interlocked with adjacent pillboxes and would have been further bolstered by supporting trenches and weapon slits. The main vulnerable point would have been the beach itself, where the pillbox could bring fire to bear on any infantry landing on the beach. It is worth noting that infantry landed on the beach at very low tide would have been outside of the effective range of LMGs (if fired from the bipod) which were housed within the pillbox. Any infantry landing on the beach would be exposed with little available cover. Effective fire and manoeuvre would be required to supress the defending positions and advance across the beach towards the West.

Although the pillbox appears to be relatively isolated in the landscape, it is likely that it would be supported by trenches and weapon slits, as well as extensive barbed wire obstacles which have since been in-filled or removed. No such features were visible at the time of survey. Further field investigation and aerial photograph analysis is required to identify supporting positions.

A detailed field survey and GIS interpretation of this structure, and other pillboxes in the area, will aid our understanding of this structure and the wider defensive landscape of this section of the Lincolnshire coast.

Pillbox survives in Good condition (Fully or almost-fully intact and clear at time of survey).

Sources- Small Arms Training, Volume 1, Pamphlet No.4 Light Machine Gun (1939)

Period

Modern (1901 and later)

Period comments

World War II

The earliest date of the feature, as a year, if known

1940

The latest date of the feature, as a year, if known

1942

Monument Type - Broad

PILLBOX (VARIANT)|PILLBOX|PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/23)

Monument Type - Narrow

Monument Description

Evidence Type - Broad

Evidence Type - Narrow

Evidence Description

Object Type - Broad

Object Type - Narrow

Object Description

Other records:

NRHE Number

1443431

NT HBSMR Number

Unknown

HER Event Number

Unknown

External Link

None

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