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View Full Version : Chard anti tank island – Somerset – Dec 2010



Munchh
16-01-2011, 11:44 PM
The Chard anti tank island converges with the Taunton Stopline at several points. The following report is part of a full exploration of the TSL and all the AT islands along it, which is going to take me ages. The area covered forms the south west corner of the ATI.

For anyone wishing to know more about the TSL, a link to a previous report;

http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/showthread.php/9890-Taunton-Stopline-%E2%80%93-Chard-Joint-to-Peasmarsh-%E2%80%93-September-2010

There are twelve ATI’s on the TSL and on a map would resemble beads on a chain. They can be described as designated areas within a town or village with fixed defences such as pillboxes, anti tank ditches and gun emplacements, designed to threaten the flanks of an enemy force, which had broken through a stop line.

What started off as a pretty simple stroll along one hedgerow to capture these pillboxes turned into a bit more than that. I just couldn’t resist having another look at the Forton stretch while I was there and whilst distracted, company showed up. I ended up using a different exit route as my entry route had suddenly become populated with farmers in pick-up trucks with dogs. Quite a comical moment as it turned out, good job I know the area well. To be honest, their presence probably had nothing to do with me, but I was keen to avoid contact just in case.

The headings contain the original 1940 serial numbers for each PB along with its type. The Somerset HER page link is also given for reference and further information.

An overview of the area;

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/GEmapshot.jpg

Working from the top of the map down

T 105 Type 24 pillbox

http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=55232

This was a bit of a bonus for two reasons. Firstly it’s described as being on the enclosed private woodland of Oakland House, it’s not, it’s outside the fence and therefore accessible. Secondly, I wouldn’t have discovered this had I left the area the same way I got in.


http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1377.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1376.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1374.jpg


T rd B 22 Roadblock

Nothing of the roadblock remains that I could see.

T 106 Type 24 pillbox

http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=55224

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1321.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1318.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1317.jpg

MV 8 Vickers MMG emplacement

http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=15963

Completely destroyed except these remains

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1325.jpg

MV 8a Vickers MMG emplacement

http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=55286

Fortunately, this one (it’s partner) survives in very good order

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1338.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1332.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1331.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1330.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1328.jpg

T 107 Type 24 pillbox

http://webapp1.somerset.gov.uk/her/details.asp?prn=55223



http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1353.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1350.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1347.jpg

http://i857.photobucket.com/albums/ab132/Munch099/Chard%20ATI/Chard%20ATI%20640/100_1344.jpg

That’s all I managed in this visit, hope you like them. Thanks for looking.

skeletonkey
17-01-2011, 01:35 AM
Munchh ,great shots there mate & quality intro,
DOB a great bit of kit isnt it.

Ive been trying to look for an opening for a zombie nurse ?
No joy lol
Talk soon mate SK :thumb

beam assisted
17-01-2011, 05:48 PM
Interesting and with a bit of luck :)

Munchh
17-01-2011, 06:41 PM
Munchh ,great shots there mate & quality intro,
DOB a great bit of kit isnt it.

Ive been trying to look for an opening for a zombie nurse ?
No joy lol
Talk soon mate SK :thumb

Cheers bud. The DOB overlay for GE is truly superb, however the extra info I have on the TSL enhances this tremendously and allows me access to a resource that even the great cptpies doesn't have. We have discussed meeting up to look at pooling resources. I won't attempt to take the credit for finding said info, that belongs to another.

You need to keep the zombie nurse out of the public gaze mate, I still wake up screaming in the dead of night! :wflag :lol:


Interesting and with a bit of luck :)

Thanks nij, a bit of luck helps, although now that my new GPS has turned up I'm hoping I won't need quite so much of it.

Only2Eyes
17-01-2011, 08:50 PM
Good stuff this mate :thumb

simonix
18-01-2011, 01:55 PM
Great photos, I like a good Pillbox!