CROOKHAM SHELLPROOF PILLBOX MAKEOVER, PILLBOX STUDY GROUP

CROOKHAM SHELLPROOF

PILLBOX `MAKEOVER`

TIM DENTON

NGR: SU790520

NOTE: THIS PILLBOX IS ON PRIVATE LAND!

STUDY & `MAKEOVER` OF A SHELLPROOF PILLBOX

I was lucky to be allowed to give an unusual pillbox a well deserved `makeover` during January 2006.

The pillbox which is on private land at SU790520, is sited near to the GHQ line at Crookham in Hampshire.

Very kindly the landowner had allowed me to remove all of the undergrowth from this previously hidden example for a survey I wished to carry out.

This rare example is one of two of this particular design variant; being dug in with a step down protected porch entrance on its north east corner.

The pillbox is constructed to shellproof design with massive thick walls.

Access to the inside is via a protected porch entrance on its north east corner.

The pillbox was constructed with four huge cast embrasures which would have given excellent all round covering fire.
Inside the cramped interior is divided by an X shaped central wall, with the inside flooded to nearly a foot deep in murky water.

Since I have carried out the work I have found the pillbox as being described incorrectly in two recently published books.

I had been told by the owner of the other surviving example that the weapon used in the defence was a Lewis Gun. He had manned that example during the war.

A full report with much more detail will appear in the next Loopholes magazine.