Llanbedr pillbox

jindivik · Mar 26, 2011

I posted a similar PB on the west side of the airfield which had a similar layout with a short ricochet wall hanging from the ceiling, this one is from the eastern side, with the same profile, this one ive got internal pics

The Archivist · Mar 26, 2011

Very interesting. I believe there are a couple of boxes of a similar pattern on the perimeter of Aberporth Airport. I've not seen one with a gun mounting like that before though.

RichCooper · Mar 26, 2011

Always good to see graffiti free boxes,nice pics

krela · Mar 26, 2011

The Archivist said:
Very interesting. I believe there are a couple of boxes of a similar pattern on the perimeter of Aberporth Airport. I've not seen one with a gun mounting like that before though.

It's a turnbull mount with bren (I think?) cradle. I've seen quite a few with the turnbull mount frame but you don't see them with the actual cradle very often!

night crawler · Mar 26, 2011

I came across a Pillbox near Builth which had a ricochet wall hanging. Nice find the gun mount.

Munchh · Mar 27, 2011

I've done a fair bit of research into Turnbull mounts. The PSG seem to be saying that the mount was designed initially for Vickers with adaptations for other weapons. http://www.pillbox-study-group.org.uk/Turnbullmountspage.htm

The mount is a 3 part assembly. The 'Frame' is bolted to the embrasure. The 'Cradle' is attached to the frame and is designed to be dismounted. A range of 'Gun bars' was produced for - Vickers, Bren, Lewis, Browning and Hotchkiss. I've yet to find a definitive list showing the gun bars with the weapons they were designed to take so I'm not sure which one you've found although Bren is more likely simply because we had more of them. I've seen one to take a Lewis Gun and it's different to the one in your pics.

I believe it's possible that the reason for the shortened anti ricochet wall may be to allow more room at the rear of the gunner. This would be 4' 9" from the embrasure in the case of the Vickers at least according to PSG.

Southern Command appear to have carried out trials on the Turnbull mount and recommended that it should only be used for firing on fixed lines with Bren, Lewis and Browning. Source http://pillboxes-suffolk.webeden.co.uk/#/pillboxes/4536410520

It's certainly rare to find the cradle and gun bar in place. Most interesting post, thanks.