Recording Kent’s 20th century Defences

After CBAs and the Defence of Britain Project’s epic studies of Britain’s 20th century defences and earlier site-logging by the Kent Defence Research Group, you might think that there is little more to learn about this subject. But discovery is far from over.

Kent County Council’s strategic study of Kent’s defences, ‘Kent’s Defence Heritage’ (2001), suggested that much more needed to be done to gain a complete geographical distribution and understanding of such sites within the county. Through a project called the Historic Fortifications Network, an alliance of fortified sites, towns and regions in Kent, Nord-Pas de Calais (France) and West Flanders (Belgium), KCC have commissioned me to design a methodology for recording 20th century military and civil defence sites. An application for European Union funding for a new phase of the Network has been submitted, and, in the event of its success, KCC will now be able to begin to survey the entire county over a period of years on a ‘district by district’ basis. If the application is unsuccessful then the process will still be pursued, although it will inevitably take a much longer time. This could highlight sites for conservation and inform heritage tourism and promotion initiatives; there may also be linked educational publications.

Our 20th century defences are not beautiful, but they are historically important as symbols of a determination to safeguard our freedom. It is in this context, as well as in consideration of the effects of new weapon systems, tactics and strategy, that the 20th century defences of Kent deserve to be adequately studied, better understood, and valued.

The 20th century marked separation from the past, introducing new technologies in warfare, including attack from the air, whether by airships, aeroplanes or ballistic missiles, as well as the enmeshing of the general population in the war-effort.

Anti-invasion defences of WWI drew on a late-19th century frame of reference, with massive (still little-known), trench systems inland of the coastal batteries. Bombing attack from the air, however, led to profound innovation: fighter planes to intercept, anti-aircraft guns, visual and acoustic detection, and electronic and telephonic coordination systems. Even civil defence was introduced.

During WWII, fearfed ‘Blitzkrieg’ attack by dive bombers and tanks in an invasion was to be countered first by onlines of pillboxes and ditches, and subsequently by anti-tank islands and fortresses, mobile infantry, armoured forces and fighter bombers. Whereas stoplines are well known, the sites from the second method have been little studied. Current research demonstrates that anti-invasion defences embraced more points of resistance than had been supposed. Air defence elaborated the methodologies begun with the injection of radar, automation and information technology. Civil defence was embedded in the community but has been little archaeologically studied in Kent: similarly, the industrial infrastructure. Defence sites show astonishingly wide jars, including road, rail and beach obstacles, anti-landing devices for planes, minefields, fougasses, radar and intelligence-gathering stations, airfield, searchlights, sound mirrors, air raid shelters, wardens’ posts, barracks and naval bases – the list is too long to complete here. Indeed, the structures of war were part of the land and townscape and imposed themselves on the daily experience of everyone. The ensuing Cold War, with computers and bunkers, saw fundamental changes – again, insufficiently studied.

Defence sites continue to be threatened by deterioration and development-led demolition, so comprehensive recording is imperative. After press appeals for further information, fieldwork will hopefully start this year. This will involve following up documentary sources by visiting the countryside, towns and coast. Vanished sites will be logged too, to paint a complete picture. They may also be opportunities for historical and archaeological groups to become involved, as local knowledge can be invaluable.

Discoveries are ahead, so watch this space!

Victor Smith

Anti-tank obstacle at Chartham