WORLD WAR TWO PILLBOXES OF FORDINGBRIDGE (AN EXPLORATION & TOUR!)

A relaxed, light-hearted exploration and tour of what remains of a number of World War Two Pillboxes in and around the town of Fordingbridge in Hampshire.
Immediately after the evacuation of forces at Dunkirk in 1940, the authorities decided to build a static system of defensive lines in & around Britain that were designed to compartmentalise the country and delay any invaders (the Germans) long enough for mobile forces to counter attack. Over 50 of these lines were constructed across the country.

The River Avon between Ringwood & Salisbury became part of one of these "stop lines" - the aim being to deny East - West movement by the Germans. Both Salisbury & Fordingbridge were "fortified" and a number of crossing points over the River Avon were defended to varying degrees.

With the natural barrier of the River Avon and the A338 North / South trunk road passing through the town, Fordingbridge became an "Anti Tank Island".

The Defence of Britain Database actually lists over 30 individual elements of this "Anti Tank Island" which included 15 Pillboxes and 8 road blocks. Of those 15 Pillboxes, 4 were removed after the war but 11 are thought to still exist.

I thought it would be fun to try and see how many of those remaining Pillboxes I could find - hence this video! I finished off with a quick look at a couple of defense structures at the village of Breamore (about a mile North of Fordingbridge).

Although I did a bit of research for this video, I should point out that I am not a Historian or expert so if I have made any mistakes then please accept my apologies!

Information Sources: Wikipedia, Historic England & British History Online.

Aerial pictures courtesy of Google Maps
OS Maps. Media License.
Historic Maps NLS Maps 'Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland'  https://maps.nls.uk/index.html