When invasion panic ensued in 1940 road blocks were thrown up everywhere, mainly to the detriment of the public, who walked into them at night or simply drove into them in their cars; individuals were even shot at occasionally – hardly surprising given the tense situation after Dunkirk. Blocks at […]
Daily Archives: December 20, 2012
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The Stanton air-raid shelter was manufactured by the Stanton Ironworks Co Ltd near Nottingham (the iron connection is in the mould pattern). They could be built in any length but usually consisted of 18 precast concrete arched-shaped units (each one in two parts), bolted together to form a standard (after […]
The reason for their construction on or very near Airfields is to provide the ‘Station Commander’ with a secure location from which he could direct the defence of ‘his’ property via landlines and runners in the event of being attacked by hostile ground forces. Officially known as the Type 11008/41 […]
Whilst rummaging through files recently at the Public Record Office I came across substantial material on the Spigot Mortar, a weapon which was, as will be seen, controversial at least, certainly in Southern Command on which this article generally concentrates. Although not available to counteract a German invasion in 1940 […]
It is probably not appreciated what an interesting and diverse subject it can be-literally a study in itself. It has much in common with Army-based defences, as you can never be sure what you are going to find! I’ve divided the subject into two sections: a short history, followed by […]
After Dunkirk (4/6/40) there was an obvious and urgent requirement to put the country into a state of defence as quickly as possible, and the result was the construction of stoplines. Stoplines are usually broken down into three categories: a. Coastal fortifications, b. The G.H.Q. Line, and c. Secondary stoplines […]
The basis of this article is Camouflage Military Training Pamphlet No 46: Field Defences 1941 It is intended to show the official line and from personal experience in the South West contrast this with the actual methods used by the military `on the spot` as it were. The ‘positive’ knowledge […]
Loopholes is the Magazine of the Pillbox Study Group and UK Fortifications Club. Published Quarterly, it usually has articles about Pillboxes, Book Reviews, Readers feedback and snippets. Some issues include full colour pages. We are always looking for articles, from PSG members, to include in Loopholes, either big or small. […]
Pillboxes During May 1940 the branch of the Directorate of Fortifications and Works (FW3) at the War Office was set up under the Directorship of Major-General G.B.O. Taylor. It’s purpose was to provide specific pillbox designs to be constructed throughout the countryside at defensive locations. During June and July 1940 […]