Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
A piece of Taranaki’s Second World War history has recently been uncovered during work on Te Ara Tūtohu: SH3 Waitara to Bell Block.
Two Home Guard rifle pits were found to the north of the intersection of State Highway 3 (SH3) and De Havilland Drive in Bell Block.
It’s likely they were constructed between 1941 and 1942 as a defensive position to protect the Bell Block Aerodrome on Te Arei Road, which was being used as a Royal New Zealand Air Force training base, from a potential invasion by Japanese forces.
The Home Guard was formed in 1940 in response to the potential threat posed by the Empire of Japan during the Second World War. Membership was initially voluntary but became compulsory from 1942 for men aged 35-50.
Home Guard – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand(external link)
“These are textbook Home Guard pits,” says project archaeologist Daniel McCurdy. “These are so textbook, that in fact one of them conforms exactly (within a few inches) to the standard set out for the Home Guard. However, instead of an optional drainage trench at the base, the men chose to place timbers instead, likely reclaimed from the local farm.”
There have been a number of archaeological finds on Te Ara Tūtohu since physical works began in 2023. The project works closely with archaeologists and cultural monitors in these instances. Depending on what is found, the find may be removed or documented and left in place.
“The area we are working in is historically significant. It’s important that whenever we come across a potential archaeological find in the course of our work that we take the time necessary to investigate,” says Te Ara Tūtohu project manager Calvin Rorke.
“I know that I, and many of us working on Te Ara Tūtohu, have learnt a lot about the history of this area through our work on the project.”
