No, not a post about me, or any other middle-aged wargamer.
Instead; this evening I was walking along my favourite stretch of coastline here in Blighty. It's on the north Norfolk coast - Nelson country. Out from the village of Burnham Overy Staithe, the sea defences stretch as dykes towards the North Sea (the 'German Sea' as it was called for a while, until 1914), with salt marsh, grazing cattle, and an abundance and variety of birds unlike almost anywhere else in England. Given its geographic position, it will not surprise you to hear that the whole coast is littered with the wrecks and relics of Britain's 1940-41 defences. Pillboxes sink into the shingle and sand, everywhere the concrete and stainless steel of Spigot Mortar mounts, even the occasional Allan-Williams' turret survives, and last winter's storms revealed twisted barbed wire stakes. And, this evening, walking away from the sea and the grey-blue clouds, I came across this:
The tail fins of a mortar bomb.
Can any well-informed chap out there give me name, rank and number on this relic?
3" mortar bomb? Or something else?
One of my favourite places is just along the coast at Old Hunstanton. I have stayed there many times over the years and love it.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Bob
Absolutely - smugglers' coast. Marvellous place. I love the wind off the North Sea, with Norfolk rolling out behind.
DeleteNot a part of the world I know well unfortunately, but on my list of places to visit. Great find by the way, but can't help with identification.
ReplyDeleteAh, you must visit. There is nowhere else in Old England that is like it. Heart's ease place.
DeleteA nice part of the world - truly Nelson country (he must have paddled across the staithe!).
ReplyDeleteI liked the link to the PSG, and had a good rummage about on their site.
Yes, the Norfolk Hero (I see there's a new book out on his exploits entitled 'Sword of Albion') learned his small boat handling there. Our greatest Englishman of modern times.
Delete..on hols in Norfolk then? ..you're not that chap on the news seen throwing a washed-up hand grenade around for his dog are you ?.. . I'm currently a bit further down the coast from you in Southwold..
ReplyDeleteSouthwold is on my must visit soon list - if only for Adnams and the Orwell connection.
DeleteInteresting find. Heavy corrosion makes id a little difficult but from few details I can make out it could well be a 3 incher. Have a look here:
ReplyDeletehttp://visualcollector.com/VisualCollectorLinks/MortarsMines.htm
Cheers, Dave
Cheers, Dave, Yes, I'm fairly sure it is fins from a 3" nortar bomb. Amazing what just works its way to the surface - I suppose the high tides and floods last winter were responsible.
DeleteVery nice blog of yours.Inspirational! I will start follow you.Keep posting! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words - very much appreciated!
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