Building record MAB26928 - BALGOWNIE BEACH NORTH

Remains of World War II anti-tank blocks north of Balgownie Beach North Pillbox (NJ91SE0045), part of a longer line of coastal defences (NJ91SE0003).

Remains of World War II anti-tank blocks north of Balgownie Beach North Pillbox (NJ91SE0045), part of a longer line of coastal defences (NJ91SE0003). During World War Two defensive lines were created on vulnerable coasts, consisting of concrete blocks set in lines over miles linking pillboxes and other defences. The main purpose of anti tank obstacles and obstructions was to slow a tank's progress. As the tank climbed the obstruction the vulnerable underside was exposed to anti tank guns. These examples have large jagged rocks embedded in the concrete. This would have the effect of tearing the tracks of a tank that attempted to cross them. The original position of these anti tank blocks has been altered heavily by coastal erosion in recent years. Some no longer stand upright, but lie on their sides, exposing the concrete rafts that they were placed on for stability. On-site construction involved pouring concrete into wooden shuttering, leaving the imprints of the wooden planks on the surface of the concrete. On a few of the blocks, where the concrete has eroded, an iron latticework has been exposed embedded in the concrete. Site visit in November 2022 as part of the SCAPE Coastal Zone Assessment Survey noted that the blocks were tumbled but still in their original alignment, close to the coast edge.

SCAPE, 2023, COASTAL ZONE ASSESSMENT SURVEY ABERDEENSHIRE AND CITY OF ABERDEEN: CULLEN TO MILTON NESS, ID 15079 (Bibliographic reference). SAB4866.

Record last edited

Jan 5 2024 12:26PM