Monument record 4058/0/2 - RAF Woodford Defences Pillbox at Mill Lane

A Woodford type pillbox South of Woodford Airfield off Mill Lane. Pillboxes were heavily constructed buildings, in this case squat, square and built with local stone and concrete. They had small rectangular openings in walls called embrasures that were used to allow soldiers defended in the pillbox to shoot out at, or observe the enemy. The embrasures on this type of pillbox are set almost at ground level and are unusually wide. The pillbox overlooks the road and river facing the bridge and is in a small wood. It probably housed soldiers with light weaponry such as rifles. It is one of a group of pillboxes that surround the airfield, covering the main areas where any attackers might come from, especially critical points such as bridges. It was built during World War Two, a time when most other pillboxes around Britain were constructed.