maxell Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 ' Close to the mouth of the Cuckmere River are concrete constructions which were built during the Second World War. A system of lights mimicked Newhaven harbour at night which, it was hoped, would attract enemy aircraft away from the real harbour and so bomb the haven instead. Other constructions built there were tank traps and block houses 'pill-boxes' used as gun emplacementsand look-out posts often manned by the Home Guard (Dad's Army). ' And from the other side of the river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Lots to find I see. Did the Germans bomb the site? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 The area is rich in history, having been used by the military since the napolionic era; not much now remain's of the barracks erected during this period, one being on the western side (coastguard cottages), whilst the other was sited between cliff end and foxhole farm, - this comprised of officers quarters, soldiers huts,and a pair of magazines. In 1816, once the threat of Napolion was removed, (after the battle of waterloo in 1815) they were auctioned off and removed. Today, there are 'humps' in the ground giving a brief 'footprint'. The site was indeed a 'Starfish or QL' decoy site, between 1942 and 43, using lighting to mimic the local port of newhaven The area really from cuckmere haven through to seaford is well worth walking, as there are various reminders of defensive positions, etc. Good pic's. ( for an all too short while, I was park ranger, at the park living at Foxholes, so tended to take a lot of interest in said fortifications and history. ) Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 The outer detail looks intresting, never seen corugatted iron formers used before. A thought, is tghe inside the same corrigations? Wonder if the were hollow lattice then filled with concrete? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeEnfield Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Wasn't that long ago that circular one in top pic, was in danger of falling away from its supporting earth bank, due to erosion; Glad to see last time I was down there, it's surroundings had been stabilised. Pillbox in question is a type 25, made up of corrugated iron-shuttered concrete. *It was constructed in 1940, by 4 members of R/E helped by 2 civilians; Structure was totally built on site, with no pre fabricated parts and took between 4 and 5 days to complete;......it should have been completed sooner, but shortages of cement and other materials led to delays. The extra materials were requisitioned from louis g ford of eastbourne. As an aside, when it was found that the correct corrugated iron shuttering was missing, roof sheets from an anderson shelter were used instead. *This is based upon recollections of Mr Norman MacKenzie, who was involved in its construction. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Thanks for that. I'm more used to seeing the wooden shutter marks used on German fortifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Very interesting. thanks Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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