WW2 Pillbox on the 'red' GHQ Line of the River Thames, Oxfordshire.
The GHQ Line (General Headquarters Line) was a 300 mile defence line hurriedly built in the United Kingdom during World War II to contain an expected German invasion after the defeat of Dunkirk in May 1940. There were up to 50 other defence lines along the coast or using natural features such as rivers where possible or trenches and embankments. This pillbox stands on the Oxfordshire bank of the Thames between Whitchurch (Pangbourne) and Goring and was intended to stop, or at least slow down a German invasion moving north from the south coast. The River Cherwell running north from Oxford was another, its defences meant to impede any east/west invasion.
About 28,000 pillboxes and other hardened field fortifications were constructed in England in 1940, about 6,500 of these structures still survive.
Viewed from the Thames Path at Hartslock Wood between Whitchurch-on-Thames and Goring.
WW2 Pillbox on the 'red' GHQ Line of the River Thames, Oxfordshire.
The GHQ Line (General Headquarters Line) was a 300 mile defence line hurriedly built in the United Kingdom during World War II to contain an expected German invasion after the defeat of Dunkirk in May 1940. There were up to 50 other defence lines along the coast or using natural features such as rivers where possible or trenches and embankments. This pillbox stands on the Oxfordshire bank of the Thames between Whitchurch (Pangbourne) and Goring and was intended to stop, or at least slow down a German invasion moving north from the south coast. The River Cherwell running north from Oxford was another, its defences meant to impede any east/west invasion.
About 28,000 pillboxes and other hardened field fortifications were constructed in England in 1940, about 6,500 of these structures still survive.
Viewed from the Thames Path at Hartslock Wood between Whitchurch-on-Thames and Goring.