UK WW2 Defensive Structures

[Mike]

Does anyone know if WW2 period maps exist of the location of defence structures built during WW2? Pill boxes, tank traps etc ?

[badjez]

Mike,

All the known surviving structures were researched and recorded on this website
http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/dob/

Many of the War Diaries in the PRO contain maps showing defensive locations in varying degrees of detail. The problem is that you need to go through all the diaries for every uinit stationed in the area you are researching in the hope one of them kept a map or copy of the defence scheme ie if your interest was Southend it would be no use looking at Essex Regt, but you may end up looking for Scottish or Welsh Battalions that served on the coastal defences. The east and south coast is well represented.

Good hunting. Stephen.

[ORISKANY]

Originally Posted by Mike

Does anyone know if WW2 period maps exist of the location of defence structures built during WW2? Pill boxes, tank traps etc ?

Not a complete map but interesting info at www.pillboxesuk.co.uk. You may already be aware, if so I will go back to sleep!

[rockape560]

hi mike,

dont know if this will help or not but it is interresting

philip

http://www.ww2ni.webs.com/

[ebro]

Philip,
I find that link particularly interesting as it shows my father's AA gun location.
Eddie

[Mike]

Many thanks guys. Very helpful links. That Northern Ireland site is brilliant. A real labour of love.

[David Tremain]

Mike, you might want to check out this link:

http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/s...rt/index.shtml

The one I'm looking at here is for Harwich, Essex which I well remember from my childhood. You'll notice that there's a plan of the entire site. I haven't checked out the rest yet.

David

[David Tremain]

There's also stuff about the Beacon Hill fort at Harwich here:

http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/...Fort-Sept-2011

If you Google Beacon Hill Fort it will lead you to this and doubtless others that might be of interest. Lots of great photos. They held great fascination but I was never able to explore them when I grew up there, although I would pass them almost every day. It was pretty difficult to get into them, even as an inquisitive boy!

Hope all of this helps.

David