Godlingston Heath Bunker

Godlingston Heath has 3 uniquely designed pillboxes situated on small knolls. They are semi sunken variant pillboxs with sloping fronts. This example has 3 stepped loopholes cover south, west and north, with a covered entrance. It has a red brick skin with re-enforced concrete fill construction, a re-enforced concrete slab roof, still exhibiting marks indicating position of wooden shuttering on inside and screed on outside. Access is through a covered entrance, there is the No 21 painted in white on entrance wall interior. Concrete loophole fillers incorporating steel handles present, the central loophole is blocked whilst the other 2 are open. On either side of the loopholes, 1 steel retaining hook remains. This pillbox remains are in very good condition, the interior is mainly clean and dry. The exterior is in reasonable condition; there is though a hole in the roof although this causes no problem and evidence of small arms fire on sloping front. One of a series of defenses responsible for denying access to South Haven Point and the beach from airborne (or other) attack from inland. Pillboxes in this area appear to have had different uses through the war, primarily to defend Studland beach from airborne (or other) attack from the rear and later possibly as range observation bunkers or targets. Documentary sources report a large number of military exercises taking place on Godlingston Heath and Studland Heath and this structure no doubt played its part. Interior rear wall shows small arms damage, with projectiles still lodged in wall by very good or lucky shot. Associated with site are extensive trench works, which form a defended hill.