This is the other Stopline that I’m looking at.
Info from the PSG website: http://www.pillbox-study-group.org.uk/maidennewtonstoplinepage.htm
“Down in the deepest, darkest depths of Dorset the remains of hundreds of Second
World War structures still lay littered around the countryside. The county of
Dorset, with its extensive coastline, natural harbours and relative proximity to
the shores of northern France made it a primary invasion target. To that end
many of the Defence structures were positioned, quite naturally, along the
coastline and many are still to be found in the well documented areas of Chesil
Beach, Portland and Studland Bay.
But what of the Inland Defence ? After extensive research of the local 1:2500
scale maps and numerous site visits to the Maiden Newton area I concluded that
there was infact a Stop-Line approximately 15km inland from Chesil Beach. The
following structures were found and reported to the Defence of Britain Project:
Maiden Newton itself is a small village situated at the confluence of two river
valleys, the Dorchester to Yeovil Railway Line and the A356 road from Dorchester
to Crewkerne. A pretty important position ! Not unusual in itself but the
extensive defensive structures found around its perimeter suggest that it was an
Anti-Tank Island. More than one hundred anti-tank blocks, a Nissen hut,
Ammunition stores and even a Spiggot Mortar base complete with stainless steel
mounting pin remain.
The Stop-line itself uses the man made railway line from Maiden Newton to the
village of Grimstone, 5km southeastwards towards Dorchester. The numerous
Pillboxes of Type22/23 design are positioned to use the embankment to the best
possible topographical advantage. Almost each has commanding views across the
river valley southwards and of course towards the Sea. Any advancing armour and
troops would have had the difficulty of fording the river before an attempt at
scaling the embankment could begin.”
Getting to PB’s is harder than some people realize. There are 6 on this stretch and although I’ve been planning this for a while I only managed to get a Type 22 and the removed AT obstacle at the bridge. I spent more time reccying approaches than I intended to and had to cut short the trek after falling foul of the whiplash injury I got in a minor prang a week prior to this explore. I’m not normally faint-hearted when it comes to PB hunts but several of my access routes were impassable or downright dangerous (even fully fit) on your own.
Having said that, I’m going back soon and will as usual update as and when.
So now I’ve made my excuses for getting a strike rate of 1 (and a bit) in 6…………………the 22 I did manage!
Shows serious deterioration outside but this is misleading as it’s only the entrance wall suffering badly
inside isn’t too bad but is flooded;
And it has the unfaced corner bricks I’ve seen in someone else’s report recently but can’t for the life of me remember who’s it was. Anyone know? I think this was done simply to save time building the PB.
The site of the removed AT obstacles. There is evidence of what looks like at least two mine sockets remaining;
I could use a second pair of hands exploring this Stopline so anyone remotely interested can PM me.
Thanks for looking.
Info from the PSG website: http://www.pillbox-study-group.org.uk/maidennewtonstoplinepage.htm
“Down in the deepest, darkest depths of Dorset the remains of hundreds of Second
World War structures still lay littered around the countryside. The county of
Dorset, with its extensive coastline, natural harbours and relative proximity to
the shores of northern France made it a primary invasion target. To that end
many of the Defence structures were positioned, quite naturally, along the
coastline and many are still to be found in the well documented areas of Chesil
Beach, Portland and Studland Bay.
But what of the Inland Defence ? After extensive research of the local 1:2500
scale maps and numerous site visits to the Maiden Newton area I concluded that
there was infact a Stop-Line approximately 15km inland from Chesil Beach. The
following structures were found and reported to the Defence of Britain Project:
Maiden Newton itself is a small village situated at the confluence of two river
valleys, the Dorchester to Yeovil Railway Line and the A356 road from Dorchester
to Crewkerne. A pretty important position ! Not unusual in itself but the
extensive defensive structures found around its perimeter suggest that it was an
Anti-Tank Island. More than one hundred anti-tank blocks, a Nissen hut,
Ammunition stores and even a Spiggot Mortar base complete with stainless steel
mounting pin remain.
The Stop-line itself uses the man made railway line from Maiden Newton to the
village of Grimstone, 5km southeastwards towards Dorchester. The numerous
Pillboxes of Type22/23 design are positioned to use the embankment to the best
possible topographical advantage. Almost each has commanding views across the
river valley southwards and of course towards the Sea. Any advancing armour and
troops would have had the difficulty of fording the river before an attempt at
scaling the embankment could begin.”
Getting to PB’s is harder than some people realize. There are 6 on this stretch and although I’ve been planning this for a while I only managed to get a Type 22 and the removed AT obstacle at the bridge. I spent more time reccying approaches than I intended to and had to cut short the trek after falling foul of the whiplash injury I got in a minor prang a week prior to this explore. I’m not normally faint-hearted when it comes to PB hunts but several of my access routes were impassable or downright dangerous (even fully fit) on your own.
Having said that, I’m going back soon and will as usual update as and when.
So now I’ve made my excuses for getting a strike rate of 1 (and a bit) in 6…………………the 22 I did manage!
Shows serious deterioration outside but this is misleading as it’s only the entrance wall suffering badly
inside isn’t too bad but is flooded;
And it has the unfaced corner bricks I’ve seen in someone else’s report recently but can’t for the life of me remember who’s it was. Anyone know? I think this was done simply to save time building the PB.
The site of the removed AT obstacles. There is evidence of what looks like at least two mine sockets remaining;
I could use a second pair of hands exploring this Stopline so anyone remotely interested can PM me.
Thanks for looking.