paul connor

Unfortunatly I have to correct you there. Pillboxes were constructed on stop lines to stop advances of enermy forces. You may have just noticed three, they would span in lines following rivers and railways inland. Some were just constructed in strategic areas to cover bridges and areas of importance. This is why when you enter a stop line pillbox it has a number for exmple "A274" and they would run in sequence. From memory this is because of the old scale 1" maps could have multiples in close proxy of each other,to enable troops to man the correct one(locating at night etc) Coastal pillboxes do complement each other with arcs of line of sight as they have one common frontage, but inland it was to stop advances and slow incoming forces. But no link to groupings of three hope that helps Paul

oh, I can smell the history.. sorry could not resist that one

I do commend them for their restoration works on structures! job well done!

there is another one near the dicker roundabout.. head towards eastbourne and its on the field on left hand side of the carraigeway just past the river.. cant miss it

again its amazing how many people acctually take notice! if you read my other post "pillbox walk" we walked from newhaven to uckfield on the same defence line but weeks before.. nice to know people remember these structures.. shame they get vandalised

There are also some interesting power buildings to the north in the woodland of this battery.. there was an underground shelter as well, but it been filled.

Does it Detect Trojan Horses or Trojan Rabbits approaching>

Submarine parking bollard

Yos should, just seach for Public rights of way or Byways on a Ordnance survey map.. Will rattle your fillings a touch with a leaf springer..

Here is the report from a Wet and very windy day.. Meeting this morning on the A27. As you can see. a touch damp! entering the first lane.. Convoy haults on the second Lane so I can try and do an 'arty' picture.. but fail ChrisG, A brave man! no side on the canvas! normally a small pond! Champ taking it all in its stride A touch damp under foot even my friends Vitara came for a splash, he did have off road tyres.. or I think he would still be stuck in the carpark going... going... gone... daves 110 takes a splash back on the safe road.. we had more planned .. but the weather was not the best and the marsh lands I wanted to conquer would have been a bad idea! Excuse the poor photography! I think I was shaking and being fast due to the rain! thats my excuse and im sticking to it

If its just us going we can meet on route to Rotherfield.. If not in the high street is fine

Thats a shame Rambo~! I wanted some of your legendary cake! Ok, so its just Me in the 110 ( + 2 passengers) ChirsG in the champ ( lee Enfield ) DaveIves in the 109 Oilly in the thing any more takers> or is that us all?

Ok Ladies and Germs. Sunday is closing in.. A meeting point for the trip would be in Rotherfield East Sussex. Except for those on the southcoast, we can convoy to the RV. We shall be doing 4-5 lanes in the area before moving on to a further south location of Laughton to do another few. Then on to the lovely marshes of Pevensey. At some point we shall find a nice Local pub ( for local people) and partake in lunch. I would suggest bringing wellies and warm clothing. anything else you might need for recovery should not be needed but I would carry. If your all good and behave well I might even slip in a Pillbox or Bunker on the way! I look forwards to seeing you all, should be fun! And bring cameras and Videocameras as the HMVF people will want to see!! we need to do a nice little report.. Paul

WOW! Great Pictures! I miss my Pig

Spoken to the Civil Engineers today, Very nice man with a passion for Bunkers as well! So it seems that we have one saved pillbox. Or at least a section of the front wall. As to remove the whole thing is not possible. Now Its just a waiting game till the project starts and I can arrange removal and relocation.. Thats when My HMVF appeal will begin.. I will be needing help from you Kind HMVF types:) Bodies to help load and unload the structure. And a vehicle to transport the approx 4-5Tonne wall. And a Hiab? or something crane like to move from its old home to its new... Any volunteers on the project?

Excellent.. So this list is Me + GF Defender 110 Chris G Champ Rambo Defender 110 oily LSV (AKA the Thing ) DaveIves 109 Landi Paulob1 landrover or Gaz Does anyone have spare seats? As I have 2 friends that would like to come, and being in a hardtop 110 is not much fun offroad! If not, its no problem.. they should buy an MV anyhow! please let me know numbers.. as I might have to split us into two groups.. as greenlane code advises smaller than 5 in convoy.. but im sure we can just leave a 1/4 mile gap... If my water pump goes again could be a bigger gap:)

Yeah its all good, so its a date:) I have penciled in my diary.. can you all confirm numbers asap as well as if you have spare seats etc.. so we can make sure all have company

Monday is my meeting with the Developer/demolition MD. Seems like a nice chap and as its a touch of good luck they are interested in history as well! and WW2 Emplacements! So I shall find out if its plausable to cut the box away.. or at least the front wall.. Fingers crossed

Ok, so its ChrisG in the champ Dave Ives in the 109 Me in the 110 Rambo in the 110 Who else? groups of 4 would be ideal in vehicles.. anyone worried about scratches on paint? or muddy vehicles? just to get an idea of my route plan no one has to do anything they dont feel comfortable doing

This will be a little picture dump of all the odd things I have found on my travels... starting today with this... Looks quite normal from the front. A touch overgrown Loophole has more reinforce and a different construction method,first clue to it being special From the rear its a different shape and not covered in the construction types? Inside again is very different, the walls are thicker and the ground floor only has 2 loopholes Metal on the floor? looks like a broken hatch? odd Thats because it has 2 floors! odd construction? for what I do not know? there are 2 of these on the 1st floor Enjoy

I have spoken to the Trust again and It seems they will help as much as they can.. It seems from more research that the pillbox was built first and the second room/structure was built joining as an Anti-Aircraft battery ammunition store. The battery was located the other side of the Pier(demolished in 1946) I have also been in talks with Newhaven Fort who seem very interested in taking ownership of the Pillbox or worse case the front wall with the loop hole in.. so this monument is not lost forever. So now I have to speak with the Trust some more and make plans and mul over the logistics of movement of the structure

Are you bringing the champ? I shall have to tailor lanes to suit.. as im sure brambles and hedges are not high on your list with no roof!

sunday the 1st is good with me, how about the rest of you?

I would say it has to weight around 40-50 tonnes

Oh yes, I dont think its a "record" as you say, defence stop lines span all over the country and areas of importance have higher yealds of defence. I have seen around 15 in a one mile stretch which is the highest i have observed..