WW2 Anti-Aircraft Fortifications Thames Estuary black & white IMGP4576
taken with a Pentax L60 compact
thanks for the affirmative comments guys
These anti aircraft forts were constructed in 1942 to defend London from air attack as the Luftwaffe bombers would use the Thames to navigate to London. They are sometimes called Maunsell Forts after their designer Guy Maunsell. They are arranged in a group of 7 with access via a ladder from a boat. A system of walkways connected all the towers together: a remnant of which can be seen in this photo. Many enemy aircraft were shot down by them but being small targets they were never hit by bombs. Gunnery crews would live on them for weeks at a time.
With an eye on utility rather than poetry they were first called:
Thames Estuary Special Defence Units No's 1-4 (TESD or TESDU's). Before being given the code name 'Uncle'.
Pirate radio stations operated from them in the 1960s.
Several TV and cinematic sci-fi monsters, aliens and spaceships may have been inspired by them.
WW2 Anti-Aircraft Fortifications Thames Estuary black & white IMGP4576
taken with a Pentax L60 compact
thanks for the affirmative comments guys
These anti aircraft forts were constructed in 1942 to defend London from air attack as the Luftwaffe bombers would use the Thames to navigate to London. They are sometimes called Maunsell Forts after their designer Guy Maunsell. They are arranged in a group of 7 with access via a ladder from a boat. A system of walkways connected all the towers together: a remnant of which can be seen in this photo. Many enemy aircraft were shot down by them but being small targets they were never hit by bombs. Gunnery crews would live on them for weeks at a time.
With an eye on utility rather than poetry they were first called:
Thames Estuary Special Defence Units No's 1-4 (TESD or TESDU's). Before being given the code name 'Uncle'.
Pirate radio stations operated from them in the 1960s.
Several TV and cinematic sci-fi monsters, aliens and spaceships may have been inspired by them.