Pillboxes - Images of an Unfought Battle.

A new publication by the author of this website.

This large format photo book shows a wide range of the remaining Anti-invasion defences in England.

Utilising a large number of photos from the authors own collection, the book shows many varied pillboxes as well as other defence sites, such as road blocks, fortified buildings and Q Sites throughout England. Accompanying map references allow the reader to visit the sites themselves.

All are well illustrated with the final sections listing the main pillbox types, detailing the planned German Invasion, and the Home Guard.
 

Beaches, Fields, Streets, and Hills: The Anti-Invasion Landscapes of England, 1940 (CBA Research Reports)
 

This book presents the results of a two-year project to examine the 1940/41 anti-invasion landscapes of England. Combining extensive documentary research with fieldwork, sixty-seven defence areas were examined in detail,  Attention has been given to dispelling various misconceptions that are still prevalent concerning the nature of these defences and their purpose. The defence works are presented within their historic background, explaining, for example, why some defence works have survived while the great majority have been destroyed. The book identifies the need today not only for the preservation of individual examples but of complete landscapes of defence where different types of structures have survived in good condition and are publicly accessible. An important component of the book are the maps which have been created to show the defence works for each of the 67 areas, using a system of symbols that was specially developed for the project.

Click here for more information.

Defending Britain

An excellent new publication and dare I say it a worthy successor to the Henry Wills classic "Pillboxes".

The book details both the form and purpose of a wide range of structures from pillboxes to naval installations and barracks. Detailed descriptions of the strategies and reasoning behind the defences accompany the many illustrations (120) including some very rare structures.

All are very well illustrated and the final section contains a comprehensive gazeteer of surviving examples to visit throughout Britain.
 

British Anti-Invasion Defences 1940-45.

This book is intended to provide a brief and concise insight into the history of `pillboxes` and other defences, their design and the reasons for their existence. This book is packed full of useful information. This is also the official handbook of the Pillbox Study Group. (see links page).

British Home Defences 1940-45

This title provides a concise assessment of Britain's defensive systems, and presents a vivid picture of war on the home front. It covers pillboxes, anti-tank stop-lines and islands, coastal defences, heavy-gun emplacements and anti-aircraft batteries, as well as the formation of the Home Guard and covert groups.

Ironside’s Line

This unique publication is the result of 15 years of fieldwork research  by Colin Alexander as well as an additional period of 2 years research from official War Office and 1940-45 Home Army Records held by the Public Record Office in London. Other research included tracing Home Guard maps, examining aerial photographs and interviewing people associated with the GHQ Line. Without doubt this book will interest anyone whether professional military historians or merely persons regularly observing wartime defences whilst out travelling.

Warwalks - Stop Line Green

Stop Line Green (SLG) was a continuous linear defensive position some 100 mile long running in rough semi circle east of Bristol from Highbridge on the Bristol Channel in the south to Upper Framilode on the River Severn in the north. This book gives a guide to the walk of SLG .

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