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.
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.