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Cheshire

Although Cheshire was not directly threatened with invasion a number of defence lines were built in the county along rivers and canals as well as locations of military importance such as airfields.

 

At Bollington in Cheshire, a loopholed wall covers a the railway line and road under the Macclesfield Canal. SJ 92957737

This shows a close up.

At the site of former RAF Cranage is 11008/41 type Battle Headquarters. These were designed to be only occupied if the airfield was under attack. This example is at SJ732694

The HQ consists of a complex of 5 underground rooms entered by steps at one end. The command post was built 3 feet higher than the other rooms to allow the Local Defence Officer a 360 degree view through the slit in the observation cupola.

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At the site of former RAF Cranage a number of very thick walled type 22 pillboxes still stand. This example is at SJ731693

Showing entrance tunnel.

Another stands on a lane close to the M6 motorway. SJ738693

A third stands further north and can be visible from the M6 northbound on the left hand side between junctions 18 and 19, but only if you are a passenger! SJ735701

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Internal view

Type 24 pillbox defending River Dane crossings on the A54 Between Congleton and Macclesfield. SJ903662.

Closeup showing some shell damage, probably from weapons trials.

Another type 24 pillbox, this time defending the Macclesfield Canal and main rail line to London. SJ911709

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Overhjead view from a nearby footbridge.

Rear View showing twin pistol loopholes each side of the door.

The slots for an iron girder road block can still been seen

This concrete block on east side of canal bridge 24 on the Macclesfield canal formed a road block made of rails placed upright in slots in bridge or sideways in block. SJ 927 791

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Slightly further north bridge 23 has similar defences, however to the right of the ivy covered block are two narrow gauge railway tracks, probably the original rails, which are now part of a fence. These defences formed part of Western Command Stop Line N

In order to make the invaders' navigation as difficult as possible signposts and milestones were removed. This was ordered on 31st May 1940 along with removal of station nameboards and place names on war memorials. However, British military drivers got ro

This shows the reverse side.

This is the site of a Home Guard Observation post. Only the concrete floor remains. SJ 953 737

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This shows the view from the post. The paper on the base is a OS Map to give the idea of scale. The post formed part of Western Command Stop Line No 6 - Tamworth via Trent Valley, E side of Stoke-on-Trent, to Macclesfield and Stockport, then to the SE of

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