An aerial photograph taken in 1946 shows large formations of anti-tank blocks both N and S (SMR 20002/MCC5130) of the road which passes under Chappel Viaduct. Although indistinct on the 1946 aerial photograph, an aerial photograph taken in 1960 shows the blocks on the N side more clearly. It appears that there were, and still are, 12 anti-tank blocks in a line immediately alongside the E of the viaduct stretching from the N side of the infantry pillbox (SMR 20004/MCC4800) up the steep embankment to a position at TL 8969 2851 which is near the top. They are arranged in four groups of three blocks, each trio blocking one of the arches, the lowest arch being between Piers 5 and 6 and the highest between Piers 2 and 3. Each group of three blocks is arranged in a chevron pattern with the middle block positioned to the E of the other two. They are generally 5’ square although the higher blocks are taller to allow for the steeper slope.<1><2>

Two photos of site.<3>

SITE ASSESSMENT:
The quantity, diversity and survival of the WWII defences in the Chappel Viaduct area form a rare, interdependent, compound site. These include the four major types of pillbox on the Eastern Command Line (SMR 20000/MCC4798, 20001/MCC4799, 20004/MCC4800 and 20008/MCC4801), 28 concrete anti-tank cubes (SMR 20002/MCC5130 and 20005/MCC5132), three concrete anti-tank cylinders (SMR 20002/MCC5130) and two spigot mortar pedestals (SMR 10997/MCC5127 and 10998/MCC5128).

OCTOBER 2002: Site designated Scheduled Monument NHLE No. 1020687. This scheduled site is in seven parts. See also SMR's 10996 (MCC4797), 10997 (MCC5127), 10998 (MCC5128), 20000 (MCC4798), 20001 (MCC4799), 20002 (MCC5130), 20004 (MCC4800) and 20008 (MCC4801).

See also <4> & <5>.