MMO1371 - World War Two infantry section post at Porlock Beach (Monument)

A Second World War pillbox at SS 8718 4768, probably an infantry section post, visible as a structure, was mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1941. Located on the high water line on the shingle of Porlock Beach about 440 metres northeast of Porlock Vale House in Porlock Weir, the 15 metres long structure consists of two covered linear concrete trenches about 2.5 metres wide forming a very shallow `v' shape, constructed with a substantial flat concrete roof, to form a cross shape. Square embrasures are located along each wing facing northnorthwest out to sea. At the centre rear of the structure, an open square area may have contained a light antiaircraft gun, next to which is the entrance to the structure. In the centre front of the structure is a square roofed extension with a single square embrasure, possibly for use by a machine gun. The structure is located immediately next to a type 24 pillbox, about 1 metre to the west. The structure was still extant in 1958 but was no longer visible in 1979. [1-5] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [6]