Pillboxes and Tank Traps (Paperback)

Bernard Lowry

ISBN 10: 0747813566 / ISBN 13: 9780747813569

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, London, 2014

About this Item

Paperback. A concise, illustrated guide to these Second World War defences scattered across the British landscape.With invasion a very real threat, in 1940 Great Britain began a huge military construction programme designed to stop an invading army in its tracks. Around vulnerable coastlines, and inland, thousands of pillboxes, anti-tank barriers and other obstacles were erected to defend against attacks from sea and sky. Though many of these structures were dismantled in the wake of the Second World War, the coast and even some inland areas still boast a wealth of fascinating remains. In this fully illustrated introduction, fortifications authority Bernard Lowry guides the inquiring reader in identifying these remaining defensive structures and explains their seemingly 'random' placement across the British landscape. With invasion a very real threat, in 1940 Great Britain began a huge military construction programme designed to stop an invading army in its tracks. This book guides the inquiring reader in identifying these remaining defensive structures and explains their seemingly 'random' placement across the British landscape. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780747813569

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Pillboxes and Tank Traps (Paperback)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, London
• Publication Date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0747813566
• ISBN 13: 9780747813569
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

The very real threat of the invasion of Britain in 1940 initiated a huge military construction program. Around the vulnerable coasts of the country, as well as inland, were built thousands of pillboxes, anti-tank barriers and other obstacles to defeat or delay the invader. The end of WWII saw much cleared away but sufficient still remains, and this book guides the curious in identifying the remaining defensive structures and features which once formed part of the military landscape. Although, to our eyes, the survivals might seem randomly placed, there was always a considered plan and the book describes how these plans worked. Previously little appreciated, a national project (The Defence of Britain) has now identified many of the sites and there is a growing movement to protect what remains.

About the Author

Bernard Lowry is a well-known figure in the field of fortifications, and is the Honorary Secretary of the Fortress Study Group. He was also a regional co-ordinator for the Defence of Britain Project, which served to document over 20,000 modern military sites in the United Kingdom. A resident of Shropshire, England, this is his first book for Shire.