Maiden Newton to Poole Harbour Stopline, Dorset – first look – October 2010

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Munchh

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The arsehole of the Cosmos
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.”

CrockwaytoFromeVauchurch.jpg


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!

S0000066.jpg


Shows serious deterioration outside but this is misleading as it’s only the entrance wall suffering badly

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inside isn’t too bad but is flooded;

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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.

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The site of the removed AT obstacles. There is evidence of what looks like at least two mine sockets remaining;

S0000049.jpg


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I could use a second pair of hands exploring this Stopline so anyone remotely interested can PM me. :)

Thanks for looking.
 
Munchh are those the remains of vertical rail sockets under the bridge?

There are 2 well defined but worn concrete bases directly beneath the arch from the side the pic is taken (ie roadside of the bridge). These have what look to be circular mine sockets in them. They're similar to the ones I reported on the TSL rail block. For vertical rails, I would expect to see oblong or square sockets which were not apparent. There are 2 concrete areas further under the bridge. My overall feeling was that this could be a mined block of some description but needs further investigation. I will survey/ photograph it more when I go back and update this thread.
 
The following structures were found and reported to the Defence of Britain Project:
...the extensive defensive structures found around its perimeter suggest that it was an
Anti-Tank Island.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what you find there. I've found what definitely looks like a WW2 building on a farm near to an Anti-Tank Island on the Taunton Stop Line, so it'll be interesting to compare buildings.

Getting to PB’s is harder than some people realize.
Isn't it just! :lol:

Cheers, Munchh. An unusual stretch and sounds like some good stuff on there. Look forward to seeing it as it unfolds. :)
 
Good stuff, Munchh. :)
Are the pillboxes on the clifftops from Highcliffe to Barnton-on-Sea still there?
 
I'm really looking forward to seeing what you find there. I've found what definitely looks like a WW2 building on a farm near to an Anti-Tank Island on the Taunton Stop Line, so it'll be interesting to compare buildings.

Cheers Foxy. :)

Things are certainly hotting up on the Stopline/ ATI front it seems. Collaboration is inevitable at some point I feel.

I'm putting together an update to this report as I write which will be added today. :)
 
Thanks TH and don't know is the short answer, haven't got that far yet :) Stay tuned :mrgreen:

Look forward to it!:mrgreen:
Can't remember if Barnton or Milford on Sea come first, but the pillboxes stretch right along the clifftop common at one of them.
 
Thread update, more PB's added

Cont………


I was able to get back to this section and captured a few more PB’s

Firstly, a revisit to the AT obstacle S0000049 beneath the rail bridge. More pics capn’ what do you reckon, 2 x mine sockets and 2 x mystery concrete lumps?

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Next up and just to the north, S0000075. Type 22 variant PB, protruding corner bricks and entrance porch, overgrown outside and clean inside but inaccessible at present. My thanks to Richard Read, the unofficial custodian, for giving me access and who now may clear the vegetation and unblock the entrance for us, top bloke.

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Realising my obvious interest in things military, Richard was keen to show off his collection of converted ex-Army Scammel recovery vehicles. He’s adapted them for civilian use but a lot of the original parts are re-used particularly the primary winch gear hidden away in the chassis and the cable haul on this one.

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Moving south east from this point along the railway line to S0000074. This is given as Type 23 on the DOB which it isn’t. I think it’s a Type 26 variant with porch. These are uncommon, apparently only 199 are recorded as extant. This one is in good nick. :)

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More soon, thanks for looking. :)
 
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Thread update.. and some more pics

Cont 2………..


Again moving south east, another Type 26 variant. Inaccessible but in general good order under the mass of vegetation. Thanks to the owner of Crockway Farm for both access and assistance in finding the site. Another really accommodating landowner.

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Crossing under the line to reach the PB

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Followed by this half destroyed Type 22. S0000073

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Thanks for looking.
 
Great work Munchh. You are right about the Type 26's. Notch another one up to DoB inaccuracy. I'll change my overlay accordingly. I think what sometimes get taken for mine sockets are actually sockets for rails. The easiest way to tell would be to see how deep they are if possible. The quickest way to shutter a socket hole was to use a piece of concrete piping, which looks like what they've done here. The pads behind may suggest these were for hairpins with the back end of the hairpin resting on the pad? Depends if the vertical side faces the expected direction of attack or not?
 
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Good stuff, Munchh. :)
Are the pillboxes on the clifftops from Highcliffe to Barnton-on-Sea still there?

I am only aware of one, partially submerged at Highcliffe. You can see it here: http://tinyurl.com/33bkc4g

Great stuff near Maiden Newton. I had a look there a couple of years ago. Never spotted the sockets.

There is a lot of the Maiden Newton AT Island left - mainly cubes with at east one pillbox and a spigot mortar mount.

When you get East of Dorchester on the stop line, there is a great pillbox with a dummy chimbney on top - it was disguised as a cottage. It is on private land mind. I can dig up some pictures if anyone is interested.
 
Cheers Andy. Guess the rest have tumbled over the cliffs since the early '80s. :(
Can you answer something for me? I remember some kind of concrete emplacement in the copse on the corner of Christchurch Rd/Ringwood Rd just past the roundabout and on the way to Naish Farm. Last time I saw it was '83, but I now think it was a buried spigot mortar emplacement; it isn't mentioned on the DoB as far as I can see.
 
Excellent report there Munchh - will be watching with keen interest. :)

Cheers alf, I've got the feeling from the research I've done on this line that it's a peach. :mrgreen:

Munchh I love to take you up on the offer to help you on thi sbut your way too far South but a good explore and report. :)

Yes, a logistical nightmare, you'd certainly be welcome though NC.

Great work Munchh. You are right about the Type 26's. Notch another one up to DoB inaccuracy. I'll change my overlay accordingly. I think what sometimes get taken for mine sockets are actually sockets for rails. The easiest way to tell would be to see how deep they are if possible. The quickest way to shutter a socket hole was to use a piece of concrete piping, which looks like what they've done here. The pads behind may suggest these were for hairpins with the back end of the hairpin resting on the pad? Depends if the vertical side faces the expected direction of attack or not?

I think there'll be a few more 26's to come Capn'. The DoB?....... eventually you'll have replaced it mate. :)

Re the sockets, You're right about the piping, and hairpins definitely fits as the vertical side faces the road. The distance between the sockets and the pads is about right too. Nice one. :)

I am only aware of one, partially submerged at Highcliffe. You can see it here: http://tinyurl.com/33bkc4g

...............When you get East of Dorchester on the stop line, there is a great pillbox with a dummy chimbney on top - it was disguised as a cottage. It is on private land mind. I can dig up some pictures if anyone is interested.

Thanks for the info Andy. And please........go dig! :mrgreen:

Cheers Andy. Guess the rest have tumbled over the cliffs since the early '80s. :(

Damn shame, don't suppose you have any photos TH?
 
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'Fraid not, Munch.
Got one of a wrecked and partially buried one on the beach below the Naish Farm caravan site that I took around 1976 though. I'll Try and remember where it is.
 
Hi guys - this link may be of interest - http://maidennewtonatwar.co.uk/about.html I am sure there is much more content on the site but I can't find it now :sweat:

Hope it is of help!

Kind regards,

Jack.

Had a look mate.

It seems to be a re-enactment society, specific to battles that may have been fought were there an invasion.

I like the idea of what they're doing and may go along.

Interesting, thanks. :)
 
Had a look mate.

It seems to be a re-enactment society, specific to battles that may have been fought were there an invasion.

I like the idea of what they're doing and may go along.

Interesting, thanks. :)

Your welcome and actually you are right - they turn the village back to the 1940's every other year as it was a stop line. I was involved with this year with my event Armour and Embakation where we done things like this

[nomedia]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ-frfGh4eY[/nomedia]

[nomedia]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpIsi59OB0w&feature=related[/nomedia]
 

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