Monument record MDO44662 - World War Two gun emplacement, Gardiners Farm, Thorncombe

Possible site of a World War II gun emplacement recorded to the north of Gardners Farm, Holditch Lane in Holditch near Axminster. The emplacement was constructed in 1940-41 forming part of the Taunton Stop Line.

Artillery supporting the Taunton Stop Line was sited in this area to the N of Gardners Farm. [Information from Mr. Harris of Gardners Farm whose father told him].Fields N of Gardners Farm, Holditch Lane, Holditch, nr. Axminster.<1> <2> Possible site of a World War II gun emplacement recorded to the north of Gardners Farm, Holditch Lane in Holditch near Axminster. The emplacement was constructed in 1940-41 forming part of the Taunton Stop Line. The anti invasion defence works at Wadbrook formed part of the Taunton Stop Line which ran from Seaton on the Devon coast to Highbridge on the Bristol Channel. The Line which primarily followed natural waterways such as the River Axe and River Parrett was put in place to stop enemy advance from the west and the Devon, Somerset or Cornish coasts. The line was constructed by 551st and 552nd Army Troops Company Royal Engineers and manned in 1940 and 1941 by the 48th Division of VIII Corps. Later the Wadbrook sector of the Line was manned by the Axminster Company of the Seaton Battalion Home Guard.The main anti tank obstacle at Wadbrook was the River Axe, the banks of which were cut and steepened. This line was strengthened with a variety of concrete man made obstacles, pillboxes and artificial ditches. <4>

Record last edited

Nov 11 2022 3:06PM