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British Bunker
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=3218		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Jimbo [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Out and about on Saturday on the West Somerset Railway, Joshua my two year old is really into trains at the moment.

I was taking a picture of Dunster castle when this appeared in my view...



I was quite lucky to catch a picture of this... I stuck the camera out of the window and snapped a shot as the train passed Dunster Castle.

This (I presume) Second World War bunker (or pillbox) was very likely built to defend the railway from German attack. From what I could see it was in pretty good condition.

Just thought somebody might be interested...
Author:  stormseer [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Nice photo Jimbo- there are a few of these around in my area; mostly of the square sort though; scattered around in fields and at the top of railway cuttings.
Author:  iblisdrax [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Cool!  Too bad you couldnt hop out and walk around it a bit.

my 2cents,

iblisdrax
Author:  Justiniel [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 2:27 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Don't you think it's a bit bizarre the way these things pop up when you least expect them, usually in the countryside, in the middle of nowhere and absolutely nothing in sight to guard.
Great pic though, especially from a train.
Author:  iblisdrax [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 2:29 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Hmm...I wonder how much it would cost to build one o those today?

my 2cents,

iblisdrax
Author:  Xavi [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
I suppose that communications rutes have changed a little bit in 60 years, so the intersection or vital point they were guarding might have changed substantially. Add the fact that a lot of them are likely to be forming a perimeter with others of their kind arund an important objective (they are not side by side with the objective, but several hundreds of meters from it, so to intercept an attack on the location) and there you go :)

Really nice picture in any case.

Xavi

Xavi
Author:  Legion 4 [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 3:06 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Neat !!! ?Yes, with the thought that the 3rd Reich could invade the UK or send in saboteurs, that's not surprising ... but it's cool to see them still around. ?We here in the US have some abandoned Coastal Battery sites along some of our coastline. ?An interesting reminder of the not so distant past ...
Author:  primarch [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 3:26 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Hi!

Thats pretty neat!

I wasn't aware that the UK built some of these along their railroads.

Primarch
Author:  netepic [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 3:45 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Well, with our weather we need a hobby to replace sun bathing... building bunkers is as good as any! :p
Author:  Jimbo [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Quote (Legion 4 @ 06 2004 Sep.,15:06)
?Yes, with the thought that the 3rd Reich could invade the UK or send in saboteurs, that's not surprising ... but it's cool to see them still around. ?

The interersting thing about the location of this is that it is close the north Somerset coast, location.

This is no where near the English Channel and what was the immediate threat from Nazi Germany. Though I do remember reading that if Ireland had sided with Germany then the Somerset area could have been a target.

Having said that close by is a Napoleonic Fort which was built to repel a possible French invasion.

Brean Down Fort

Brean Down (with info on the fort).
Author:  primarch [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Hi!

Interesting stuff.

I love "what if" scenarios, anyone seen, or read the german's projected "Sealion" Order of Battle.

Primarch
Author:  Jimbo [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
I have quite a few books on Sealion.

The overall conclusion of most historians (and what if experts) is that Sealion could never have succeeded... having said that the whole what if of Sealion makes for interesting games.

In the past I had quite a few games with Home Guard versus German paratroopers, great fun.

I once wrote an alternative Sealion, Otaire de Vigneur, the French invasion of England circa 1940. Though the french strategy of eclair was never taken seriously by British officers in the field.

:D
Author:  primarch [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:37 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Hi!

I suppose the main stumbling block for the germans was supply?

The german army of 1940 has high quality. Assuming the germans could have gained air superiority was Sealion really improbable?

Primarch
Author:  Jimbo [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:52 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
The major problems were not just supply which was a real issue but the Royal Navy, even with German air superiority, it is unlikely that the Royal Navy would not have intervened...

If you consider the logistics of D-Day, the allies built two ports (Mulberry), the Germans would have had to capture an English port.

BBC webpages on Sealion

http://www.wargamesdirectory.com/html/a ... ealowe.asp

Why Sealion is not an option for Hitler to win the war

Another site I found

http://www.pillboxesuk.co.uk/
Author:  Legion 4 [ Mon Sep 06, 2004 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  British Bunker
Yes, even with possible anti-Brit feelings with Ireland, the key would be the Royal Navy. ?The RN would have never let a landing force arrive intact, let alone secure a port. ?Even if German Paras dropped in, they would be of no strategic use if they couldn't link up with ground forces as the Allies did at Sicily, Normany, etc. ?Plus the Luftwaffe would have had quite a battle keeping the sea lanes open across the Channel, even if the Germans had secured a port. ?Hitler's fancy turned to the East and kept the facade of Sealion to keep the Allies busy. The Germans understood the Blitzkrieg, but they were neophytes when it came to amphibious ops. It was days before they realized that the Allies were not going to land at Calais, in '44 ! ? ? :;):         P.S. Very interesting sites, Jimbo !  Thanks  :D
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