Bembridge Pillbox

Bembridge pillbox was a custom design that was buried into the seawall as the threat of a German invasion increased beginning in 1940. In preparation for and during World War II, the island went into full defensive mode because of its strategic location. If the Germans were planning an invasion, it seemed probable that they would want to seize it as soon as possible to establish a safe beachhead from which to start their lightning-fast blitzkrieg campaign.

The War Office anticipated this possibility, so it developed a number of defence systems and made preparations at key locations to slow down any advance forces in the event of an evasion. The placement of strategically placed pillboxes was one such tactic used on the Island.

This 13-foot square concrete fortification is pretty substantial. The 1.94-meter-long embrasure, which has since been covered with shingle, once included a subterranean entrance on the west side, complete with two stairs going down and a 22-centimeter-wide passageway. Due to the modest size of the doorways, it is likely that only infantrymen armed with light weapons were housed inside. The roof was made of corrugated iron and covered with soil.

The additional two images demonstrate the field of fire across the beach and entrance to the harbour.

• http://www.pillbox-study-group.org.uk/

• https://www.iwhistory.org.uk/HER/0805pillboxes.htm#MIW2794