Pillbox Type 22 at Grid Ref. SK61883 36695

Building This is a second world war Type 22 (FW3/22) pillbox of 1941 which forms part of the airfield defences of Tollerton Airfield. This pillbox is situated at OS grid reference SK 61883 36695 and is one of 18 pillboxes which survive around the periphery of the airfield.

Materials and Exterior Constructed of red brick with concrete lintels and a flat concrete roof, this shell-proof pillbox is hexagonal in plan with an entrance to the north west. Embrasures face south, on to the airfield and each has a stepped, concrete surface which would have functioned as bullet stops. Some bricks have eroded from the surface revealing the concrete core of the wall structure. A slight mounding of soil around the pillbox is evident and would have, presumably, helped to camouflage the structure.

Interior A concrete, anti-ricochet wall is central to the interior. Turnbull mounts, initially for Lewis machine guns, but later adapted for different gun types, are fitted within the embrasures. Concrete shelves protrude into the interior from each embrasure and would have aided the movement of the guns, providing a wide arc of fire.