Dear All,
I am working on a light anti-aircraft machine gun emplacement/pit which
formed part of the defences for a World War II aerodrome in Northern NSW,
Australia. The pit is one of 2 surviving pits for the aerodrome – there
were originally 9 for the aerodrome’s defence.
The pit is suffering from weather damage and we are seeking to stabilise
against any further deterioration and protect the pit from the weather
until further restoration take place in the (very far off!) future. Any
weather protection works would need to be temporary and reversible.
The pit is built into a small man-made earthen bank. It is circular,
c.1900mm wide and c.2000mm deep. The pit has galvanised iron walls and a
concrete base. The walls extend c.300m above the ground level. The centre
pivot which the machine-gun sat in is still in place (which would have
allowed the gunner to fire from a standing position and pivot 360
degrees). The collapsed remains of an iron roof cover one side of the
pit. The roof is severely rusted and corroded and appears to have been
umbrella shaped.
I am wondering if anyone has come across similar WWII machine-gun pits and
how people have dealt with weather damage. I am trying to ascertain the
rarity of the pit and the best method of stabilising the pit and
protecting it from the weather.
With kind regards,
Jane Ainsworth
Ainsworth Heritage Consulting
Jane Ainsworth – Heritage Consultant
14 Kiyung Court,
Ocean Shores. NSW. Australia. 2483
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Mobile: 0427 454 037
Office: (02) 6680 5604
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