Anti-tank blocks at the end of Holy Island causeway, Northumberland [1]

WWII anti-tank obstacles (blocks / cubes) at the Beal end of the Holy Island causeway, Northumberland.

 

In May and June of 1940 the German army advanced quickly through northern Europe. In the United Kingdom considerable effort was put into constructing anti-invasion defences and stop lines. One of the methods used to prevent the ease of movement of tanks and armoured vehicles was lines of reinforced concrete blocks. There was some variation in the size and shape of these blocks, here they are cube shaped and measure 5 feet (1.52 metres).

 

After the end of the war much effort was put into removing theses defences and obstacles, however they still remain in some areas. Here at the western end of the Holy Island causeway there are 392 blocks remaining and most of these are still in their original positions.

 

In photograph [4] there are two low brick walls built between the blocks to provide firing positions to the defenders.

 

Site OS Grid Reference: NU 0800 4245

 

Kite Aerial Photograph

 

19 April 2014

 

 

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