Anti-Torpedo Close Protection Pontoons (ATCPP), were experimental devices used for close protection of naval vessels, at anchor in Scapa Flow, from attack by aircraft-launched torpedoes. These pontoons were only used in Scapa Flow for just over a year (March 1941–April 1942) and very few were brought into service. As such […]
Yearly Archives: 2025
26 posts
OS: 203 Land’s End NGR: SW 5145 – 2990 (Centre of island) ‘One-Off’ Design Pillbox Located on the Western side of the Mount Concrete block constructed ‘one-off’ design. From the front and side elevation it appears that the Pillbox is rectangular but from the rear you can see that it […]
Seaplane Pillbox OS118 NGR: SJ926654 On a recent visit to the Peak District National Park I decided to investigate a report of a Pillbox that guarded a local reservoir. If you drive along the A54 from Buxton to Congleton you will find Bosley Reservoir just south of the road. Down […]
The city of La Coruna is situated on the north west coat of Spain, about 45km from Ferrol (north) and 70km from Santiago de Compostela (south). The base was opened in the 1920`s and built by the Spanish Army on top of Monte de San Pedro to defend any possible […]
Playa De Las Americas, Canary Islands I have been aware for sometime of Pillboxes on some of the other Canary Islands but, I have to say that I was particularly pleased to find an example on the sea front in Playa de Las Americas. I spotted this postcard in a local […]
A Photographic Snapshot. by Graham G Matthews
Fort Battice was one of the four ‘modern’ forts built between April 1934 and 1940 as part of the Belgium outer defences of Liege (Luttich). It had a garrison establishment of 22 Officers, 92 NCO`s and 758 men manning four 120mm guns, six 75mm guns, four 60mm anti-tank guns with […]
30/9/2025 ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10159 (Extant) ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10160 (Extant) ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10161 (Extant)
30/9/2025 SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71981 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71980 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71979 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71978 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: S0015414 (Extant) Not convinced this is a spigot mortar base but it’s in amongst the others.
No Pillboxes have been recorded by the Defence of Britain Project. The NGRs are from Isle of Man Government Survey. RAF Jurby RAF Jurby – Existing Pillboxes 22(L)/SC3600297864/RAF Jurby/Site of C Flight Dispersal 22(S)/SC3680198226/RAF Jurby/Site of B Flight Dispersal 22/SC3537798955/RAF Jurby/Site of D Flight Dispersal 22(S)/SC3690698958/RAF Jurby/Site of A Flight […]
Roseisle Beach Defences Burghead, Scotland The beach at Roseisle near Burghead were used by the Americans and Canadians for training exercises for the D Day landings. Just off the coast at Findhorn are 8 amphibious tanks that sank during training exercises. What makes them particularly interesting is that they are […]
Anti Invasion Defences. As an enthusiast for all matters relating to the second world war I was very surprised to find when I moved house to Scotland substantial lengths of coastal defences still in place with only small amounts of it being removed and some buried by the continual shifting […]
Defences at Findhorn Findhorn is located on the Moray Firth and is the next settlement to the west of Roseisle. The sandy beaches and easy access inland from same made this area a potentially attractive invasion area. It was therefore heavily fortified. The whole of the peninsular on which the […]
Archaeology Notes NN15NE 6 174 567 quotes the following: “An archaeological survey has been undertaken to inform the National Trust for Scotland of the range of archaeological features on their Glencoe Estate, with additional information relating to historic sources, management, interpretation and possibilities for future research.” NN 174 567 Three […]
Markinch NGR: NO 295 033. The first pictures are of a pillbox over looking the railway line from Kirkcaldy to Leuchars (Edinburgh to Aberdeen). The Pillbox is in very good condition, though full of rubbish. I didn’t have a torch, so I didn’t venture inside. Whitehill Plantation NGR: NO 301 […]
COAST ARTILLERY BATTERY: S0001800 (Extant) On a recent visit to Kincraig near Earls Ferry in Fife, Alan Tait was able to have a look around the Coastal Gun Battery. Although much of it is in a sorry state, it is a good example of some of the larger defence structures […]
Firth Of Forth, Fife NGR: NT186 838 This battery is located on the Firth of Forth near Dalgety Bay, Fife. The battery and surrounding buildings are in pretty good condition. Not too much graffiti and still signs of camo paint on some of the walls. By Gregg Campbell
Military features. Conwyl elfed area. Next to the old Rock & Fountain pub on the A484 lies this series of WW2 military reminders. Left is a pill box built onto the side of the reservoir pump house and overlooks the river and railway track on the opposite bank. The pill box on the Right is overlooking the road […]
Bridlington Auburn Sands, Bridlington was a very vulnerable, quiet area, perfect for a German landing, with smooth, golden, flat, sandy beaches and flat tank country behind it. Today, it is a perfect example of surviving ‘coastal crust’ defences and most definitely worth a visit. Interestingly, it is still possible to […]
A type CP/6/40/111 pillbox at the Sands of Wright, Orkney. Thought to have been moved from it’s original position.
One of the two 12pdr temporary mountings for Scad battery – there’s no sign of the other. Pictures and video June 2025. Light (for Orkney) rain falling.
Pictures from 04/09/2015 showing damage caused by tree lopping. Pictures from May 2015 Pictures from 2011
Site of roadblock in Alnwick, Northumberland. Latitude / Longitude: 55.40852564, -1.69695953Easting / Northing: 419286, 612774OS Grid Reference: NU 19286 12774What3Words: ///heaven.parsnips.talents
A fine lozenge pillbox now in a new housing estate.
NZ 51474 28639
A section / Infantry post that has recently been discovered in Brenda Road, Hartlepool. It’s not on the EDOB as of 20/4/2025