Fortified Positions
Notes
Thickness of Concrete
All casemates for 12in, 9.2in and 6in guns: 2.5m of concrete on roofs and walls, armour plate 9.5 inches. Protection from 20in shells and 3,000lb bombs.
All main bunkers for artillery and fire-control and command positions: 1.5m of concrete on roofs and walls, armour plate 8 inches. Cloches 8in armour plate Protection from 6in shells and 1,000lb bombs.
Two-level and other major MG bunkers: 1m of concrete on roofs and walls, armour plate 4 inches. Cloches 8in armour plate. Protection from 4in shells and 500lb bombs.
Small MG bunkers and platoon shelters and other small works: 60 cm of concrete on roofs and walls, armour plate 3 inches. Protection from machine-gun and light automatic cannon fire.
Pillboxes: 30 cm of concrete on roofs and walls. Protection from splinters.
MTB Bunkers: 2.5m of concrete on roof and 3m on outer walls. All internal walls 2m thick. Each pen is 50m long and 10m wide and behind them are storage rooms and a diesel generator and in some cases crew ready rooms. Protection from 20in shells and 3,000lb bombs.
Home Stations
Portsmouth and the Solent : Cliff End Fort and Fort Victoria on the Isle of Wight protecting the western entrance to the Solent will be rebuilt. Each will comprise one new twin 16.5in turret linked by tunnels to a 300-shell magazine, diesel generators, a fire-control bunker with one 15-foot and one 8-foot rangefinder and four casemated 9.2in guns each with two Vickers MGs in cloches. Fort Warden further south will have its 6in guns mounted in newer casemates and will have six 3in QF guns in shielded mounts for close-range defence. On the southeast coast near the town of Sandown two old forts and two batteries will be modernised. The fort atop the highest hill will be rebuilt to accommodate a rangefinder tower with one 15-foot rangefinder and two smaller 8-foot rangefinders linked to an underground command position. Two 9.2in guns in casemates will be retained. The other three positions will mount three 9.2in guns or 6in guns in shielded mounts with underground magazines and also six bunkers each armed with one 3in QF and two Vickers MGs. Portsmouth harbour will also be modernised. Gomer Fort has six 12pdr QF guns and two 6in guns in open mounts. Fort Monkton and the neighbouring Gilkicker Fort will retain the two 9.2in and two 6in guns with an added rangefinder tower at Monkton with an underground fire-control centre and crew accommodations. Further east the Eastney Batteries will have four 6in casemates each and underground magazines. Cumberland Fort just to the east of Eastney Batteries will site a 16.5in twin turret with underground magazines and power generation facilities and two 9.2in guns in casemates and several small MG bunkers.
Plymouth and Devonport : The breakwater fort will only have two 12pdr and four 6pdr QF guns. The battery on the eastern side of the breakwater has six 6in guns in shielded mounts with an underground magazine. The Citadel is now disarmed except for two 3in AA guns. At Rame Head one 16.5in twin turret and four 9.2in casemates (built into the hillside) and six bunkers, armed with a 12pdr QF in an embrasure and two Vickers MGs in a cloche each, will be built as one strongpoint with underground tunnels and magazines and the town itself will have two large surface magazines and a caserne for 80 troops. Two towers for 15-foot rangefinder and two smaller 8-foot rangefinders each will be linked to an underground command position. This position will command arcs over Whitsand Bay and Wembury Bay.
Portland : Vern Fort has four 9.2in guns in casemates and four 3in QF guns in concrete positions on the breakwater in the harbour. A battery of 3.7in AA guns will be added to the area.
Dover : The Citadel is recently renovated and extended with some 500 feet of new tunnels for a command centre, communications centre, hospital and accommodation for 120 troops. No change to the guns but all six 9.2in guns will be mounted into new concrete casemates with MG cloches for self-defence. A battery of 6pdr anti-MTB guns have been added to the mole. On the hills to the east two 16.5in twin turrets will be mounted with extensive 500-shell underground magazines (for each turret) and a tunnel system linked to several pillboxes and bunkers armed with .661in HMGs and 3.7in QF howitzers and two fire-control bunkers with one 15-foot and one 8-foot rangefinder each. Two fortified MTB bunkers with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection are under construction.
Chatham : Fort Grain is being rebuilt to accommodate a 16.5in twin turret with an extensive 500-shell underground magazine and linked by a tunnel system to five bunkers armed with .661in HMGs and 3.7in QF howitzers, eight revetments for 6in guns and positions for two mobile 18pdr batteries. A fire-control bunker with one 15-foot and one 8-foot rangefinder has already been built. Seven small single MG bunkers and two with a 12pdr QF gun form another defence line to the east of Sheerness.
Harwich : One mobile 18pdr battery. One fortified MTB bunker with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection is being built here by 1939.
Rosyth : Inchkeith Island in the Firth of Forth has three casemates for 9.2in guns, three open mounts for 6in guns and four 3in AA guns. Six five-man bunkers each have a Vickers MG. Three armoured bunkers also contain retractable 44in searchlights.
European Defensive Positions
Gibraltar : Modernisation will include two twin turrets for 16.5/45 guns and six 6in guns in new casemates with a .661in Vickers HMG each for self-defence. There are still four 12in guns, fourteen 9.2in guns, twelve 6in guns and sixteen 12pdr QF guns in a variety of open, shielded and casemate mounts. The 12in will be removed when the 16.5in battery is fully operational. The two turrets are linked to a system of tunnels inside the rock for magazines and crew quarters. Each turret has its own 15 foot rangefinder mounted atop a concrete bunker. Inland three new bunkers each with one 2pdr anti-tank gun and two .303in Vickers will be built to cover the main entrance over the Iberian border. An extensive four-layer HQ and communications centre is being built inside the Rock alongside a hospital and extensive water and fuel storage tanks. Around ten small MG bunkers will cover the various entrances and gas-proof air vents. The airfield will have its runway extended and two new light AA batteries equipped with Cannon 20mm Mark I added to the defences. The new 6pdr AA gun when it enters service will be mounted in concrete firing positions with two AA concrete director towers each mounting a destroyer-type DCT. A new semi-submerged two-level fire-control bunker with roof-mounted armoured 15 foot rangefinder and extensive communications equipment will be built near the main harbour.
Malta : Modernisation will include two twin turrets for 16.5/45 guns linked to an underground magazine system and eight 4.7in guns four new bunkers with four .661in Vickers HMGs each for self-defence. Four range-finder towers will each have one 15-foot and one 8-foot rangefinder and a two-level bunker below for fire-control. There are still four 12in, eight 9.2in, sixteen 6in and twenty 12pdr QF guns in various mounts. Four new bunkers each with one 2pdr anti-tank gun and four .303in Vickers will be built to cover likely landing spots. The airfields will have four twin .661in HMG bunkers for self-defence and five new light AA batteries equipped with Cannon 20mm Mark I will be added to the defences. The new 6pdr AA gun when it enters service will be mounted in concrete firing positions with four AA concrete director towers each mounting a destroyer-type DCT.
Middle East Defensive Positions
Matruh (Egypt): One fortified line which covers the western and northern sides of the town. The line consists of twenty bunkers with single .303in Vickers MGs and extensive barbed wire obstacles. Several pre-prepared artillery positions exist. Future additions will be nine 2pdr anti-tank bunkers with two Vickers in a cloche and ten new bunkers with three .661in HMGs and holding twenty soldiers. Around ten infantry bunkers will be built, each holding up to a hundred soldiers and armed with three three-gun cloches. The few 4in and 6in guns for coastal defence will be given casemate fronts and roofs but no rear protection. The railway station basement will be strengthened and two MG casemates added for self-protection.
Alexandria (Egypt): The old four-gun battery of 9.2in guns will have new casemates built around them with several MGs in cloches for self-defence and .661in HMGs on the roofs for AA defence. The ten 12pdr QF guns will have new shields fitted and thicker concrete walls around them. A new semi-submerged two-level fire-control bunker with two roof-mounted armoured 15 foot rangefinders and extensive communications equipment will be built near the main harbour. The rest of the town has nine small MG bunkers with one Vickers MG and manned by five men and three seven-men twin MG two-level bunkers for all-round defence. The main roads and railway into the town all pass through fortified strong points. Three fortified MTB bunkers with four pens each for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection will be built here.
Dumyat (Egypt): One battery of six 3in guns in open mounts, protected by three bunkers with a single MG each.
Port Said, Suez and the Suez Canal Zone : Port Said has two 9.2in guns, four 6in guns and four 12pdr guns covering the coast and entrance into the Suez Canal. Currently two twin turrets for 16.5/45 guns are being added which are linked to an underground network of tunnels for magazines and electric powerplants. A network of ten two-level bunkers along the coast all linked by tunnels are armed with Vickers MGs and 3.7in QF guns. An underground HQ bunker with an infirmary is also located in the town. The entire length of the eastern bank of the canal is defended by small open MG positions and fortified telegraph stations with a ten small bunkers armed with two .303in Vickers in a cloche and manned by twelve men. The western bank largely protected by marshes t the north also has several open positions and pre-prepared artillery firing spots protected by earth banks and concrete. Around thirty concrete tunnel shelters for 8in howitzers have been built along the canal. Only six bunkers are on this side of the canal but all are armed with a 2pdr anti-tank gun and three MGs. The town of Ismailiya on the western bank is fortified by seven four-man bunkers and three casernes can house a company for up to ten days. The town of Suez at the southern end is protected by four 6in guns and four 12pdr QF guns and features an eastern defensive position with eleven small MG bunkers and three larger bunkers each armed with a 8in howitzer in a casemate and three Vickers MG in ports and a cloche. All are linked by tunnel and feature extensive underground magazines.
Red Sea Defences : The towns of Hurghada, Quseir, Halaib and Port Sudan all have a battery of old 6in guns in open mounts and a few MG posts for self-defence. Port Sudan has five small MG bunkers and two 9.2in guns in shields. The island of Res Muhammed just south of the Gulf of Suez is armed with four 9.2in guns and four 6in guns in casemates. The entire island is connected by tunnels with some ten fortified retractable searchlight positions and ten MG bunkers. A small port has one fortified MTB bunker with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection.
Socotra (Red Sea): This strategically vital island in the southern Red Sea has a fortified harbour. The northern mole has six interlocked concrete pillboxes on it each armed with four .50in Vickers HMGs. The harbour is overlooked by six small bunkers each with two .303in Vickers linked by tunnels to three bigger bunkers armed with three Vickers in a cloche and two embrasures with 3.7in QF howitzers. Also linked to this tunnel system are an underground hospital, command post, radio bunker, two diesel generators, two magazines, water caserns and six surface shelters each capable of holding three platoons of infantry. The northern battery on the North Shore has two 9.2in guns in shields and four 6in in open mounts; work currently underway is to place the 6in in casemates with four MGs each for self-protection while the 9.2in guns will be renovated and new underground magazines built. The southern battery has three 18pdr field guns. Work here will include two 6in casemates and four 3in QF bunkers all linked by tunnels to the harbour network. The Eastern Battery now under construction will comprise one twin turret for 16.5/45 guns and two range-finder towers, each with one 15-foot and one 8-foot rangefinder and a two-level bunker below for fire-control, and four single .661in Vickers HMG bunkers. Some 3in QF bunkers may be built here later. The harbour will have one fortified MTB bunker with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection by 1940. Future work beyond 1940 may include another twenty MG bunkers and sixteen 3.7in QF bunkers all over the island and a small landing strip.
RAF Hinaidi (Iraq): Protected by earthworks and seven pillboxes armed with two/ three Vickers K LMGs each. Concrete trenches and three 18pdr firing positions.
Aden and the Arabian Peninsula
Aden : Fortified with three 12in guns, four 9.2in guns, and ten 12pdr QF guns. One 16.5in twin turret will be built here with semi-submerged two-level magazine and diesel generator bunker which will also feature embrasures for three Vickers MGs. The town will be encircled with concrete infantry trenches with firing positions and forty pre-prepared artillery positions and concrete garages for field guns. A small seaplane base is being augmented by an airstrip protected by three small bunkers with two LMGs each. One heavy and one light AA battery each have concrete positions.
Muscat (Oman): Fortified port with six 6in guns in shielded mounts and five MG bunkers protecting these positions and the beaches. Four 12pdr guns will be added in open mounts.
Homuz Position (Oman): This vital strategic chokepoint near the town of Al Khasab is covered by a battery of 6in guns. New works now underway include one twin turret for 16.5in guns, six casemated 9.2in guns each with two MGs linked by tunnels to underground magazines, living quarters and hospital. There will be three concrete fire-control director towers with 15 foot rangefinders, one communications bunker linked to six MG bunkers (two Vickers MG each) and each manned by nine men. There will be another ten such bunkers to the flanks and rear (all linked by tunnels) with six bunkers mounting a 3.7in QF howitzer and three .661in Vickers HMGs. There is a rough airstrip nearby with a single hangar and control tower with a barracks on site.
Kuwait: A basic battery of four 3in QF guns with a concrete fire-control director tower with a 10 foot rangefinder. The offshore island of Faylakah has another similar position also armed with seven bunkers with a MG in each. Four casemated 9.2in guns with an underground magazine will be added to the south shore and four 6in guns to the north shore with six two-level bunkers with five MGs in each. Two new concrete fire-control director towers with 15 foot rangefinders will be built.
Far East Defensive Positions
Rangoon (Burma): A line of seven MG bunkers with two Vickers MG each and manned by nine men form the inland defence along with one Regiment of Field Artillery with three eight-gun batteries of 18pdr field guns with thirty-seven concrete and earth firing positions. The aerodrome with facilities for four squadrons including two concrete runways, six hangars and twenty earth revetments. Five small bunkers with one LMG each protect the airfield, each manned by four men. Coastal defence is provided by four 4in guns in open concrete emplacements and another ten 3in guns along the inlet in a mixture of open or casemate mounts.
Moulmein (Burma): One fortified MTB bunker with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection, one battery of mobile 18pdr guns with ten pre-prepared firing positions both inland and on the coast, the harbour is protected by four surplus 12pdr QF guns and two small bunkers with one LMG each manned by four men. Inland are three bunkers each with three Vickers in a cloche.
Island of Penang (plus town of Georgetown): One Regiment of Field Artillery with three eight-gun batteries of 18pdr field guns with thirty-seven concrete and earth firing positions covering all four coasts. Three concrete fire-control director towers with 10 foot rangefinders, one communications bunker, six MG bunkers with two Vickers MG each and manned by nine men. One airstrip near Georgetown with facilities for two squadrons including two concrete runways, three hangars and twenty earth revetments. Additional three small bunkers with one LMG protecting the airfield, each manned by four men.
Port Weld (Malaya): One light AA battery with Cannon 20mm Mark I and one mobile battery of 18pdr field guns. One fortified MTB bunker with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection.
Kelang and Pelabohan Kelang (Malaya): One Regiment of Field Artillery with three eight-gun batteries of 18pdr field guns with forty concrete and earth firing positions. One concrete fire-control director tower with 10 foot rangefinder, one communications bunker, ten MG bunkers with two Vickers MG each and manned by nine men.
Port Dickson (Malaya): One fortified MTB bunker with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection, one battery of 18pdr guns in fixed concrete bunkers, small harbour and mole protected by three surplus 12pdr QF guns and two small bunkers with one LMG each manned by four men.
Malacca (Malaya): One fortified MTB bunker with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection, one battery of 18pdr guns in fixed concrete bunkers, small harbour and mole protected by three surplus 12pdr QF guns and two small bunkers with one LMG each protecting the airfield manned by four men.
Muar (Malaya): Two fortified MTB bunkers with four pens for sixteen MTBS each with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection, two batteries of 18pdr guns in fixed concrete bunkers and mobile revetments. The harbour and mole are protected by two surplus 12pdr QF guns and four small bunkers with one LMG each manned by four men. One small seaplane base with two hangars and slipways. Three fortified buildings for two LMG and manned by ten men.
Batu Pahat (Malaya): Two fortified MTB bunkers with four pens for sixteen MTBS each with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection. One Regiment of Field Artillery with three eight-gun batteries of 18pdr field guns with forty concrete and earth firing positions. The harbour is protected by five surplus 12pdr QF guns in casemates and six MG bunkers with two Vickers MG each, and manned by nine men. One small seaplane base with two hangars and slipways and protected by two fortified buildings for two LMG and manned by ten men each and three small bunkers with one LMG each and manned by four men. Two communications bunkers also in this area linked by tunnels to four large bunkers (4 Vickers .661in HMG in casemates and cloches). The latter form part of the Outer Singapore Line which stretches from Batu Pahat on the west coast to the east coast.
Outer Singapore Line: (Excluding the forts mentioned at Batu Pahat) Consists of six fortified sluice gates for flooding several low-ling areas inland from the marshes around Batu Pahat, these are covered by seven small bunkers with one LMG each. Several strongpoints inland consist of six large bunkers (4 Vickers .661in HMG in casemates and cloches) linked by tunnels to ten MG bunkers with two Vickers MG each and manned by nine men with moats around the bigger forts. Eight 18pdr guns mounted in individual bunkers with two Vickers each (mounted in cloches) also form part of the western network. Around Keluang inland (roughly the centre of the line) are seven large bunkers (4 Vickers .661in HMG in casemates and cloches) linked by tunnels to eight MG bunkers with two Vickers MG each and manned by nine men and one communications bunker. Eight 18pdr guns are mounted in individual bunkers with two Vickers each (mounted in cloches) and another mobile battery has the use of twenty pre-prepared firing positions. The eastern section covers the main southern west-east road and consists of mainly light MG bunkers with some 3.7in QF guns mounted in larger bunkers for support. At the eastern coast there is an extensive moat and flooding system with two large bunkers (4 Vickers .661in HMG in casemates and cloches) linked by tunnels to eleven MG bunkers with two Vickers MG each and manned by nine men and one communications bunker. An underground hospital is also placed near here close to a battery of casemated 6in guns for coastal defence.
Singapore : Extensive coastal fortifications are being upgraded with four 16.5/45 twin turrets and ten new 6in casemates (in five new large bunkers which also mount six 0.661in HMGs in casemates and cloches). The 16.5in turrets each have a 600 shell magazine and diesel generators and crew accommodations. Two rangefinder towers will mount a 15 foot rangefinder in an armoured turret. Up to three MTB bunkers may be built at the Naval Dockyards. Three extra mobile 18pdr batteries will be moved to cover the landward approached and a line of sixteen light MG bunkers built inland. Two large two-level bunkers for the Navy and Army HQs will be built near the city.
Mersing, Pekan, Kuantan, Kuala Dungun, Kuala Trengganu and Kota Bharu (Malaya): These eastern coast towns will be standardised with one fortified MTB bunker with four pens for sixteen MTBS with several Vickers .661in HMG on the roof for AA protection (not at Pekan), two batteries of 18pdr guns with around twenty pre-prepared revetments. The harbours are protected by two-four surplus 12pdr QF guns and four small bunkers with one LMG each manned by four men. Kuantan and Kuala Trengganu have small seaplane base with three hangars and slipways. These will be protected by three small bunkers with one LMG each and manned by four men. Each town straddles the main eastern north-south road and so inland anti-tank ditches will be dug and covered by six MG bunkers (two .303in Vickers each) and three 3.7in QF bunkers at each town. All will be linked by tunnels and each town will have one large bunker (6 Vickers .661in HMG in casemates and cloches) overlooking the road which will have extensive communications equipment and a hospital. Kota Bharu will have three such bunkers along the border with eleven smaller twin MG bunkers linked to them. Pekan has extensive moats and floodable areas inland for all-round protection.
Kangar, Alor Setar, Butterworth, Taiping, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and Seremban (Malaya): All these towns are along the main western north-south road and feature some field works to impede any enemy advance along this road. Each town will have anti-tank ditches o either side of the road and covered by six MG bunkers (two .303in Vickers each) and four 3.7in QF bunkers at each town. All will be linked by tunnels to each other and one large bunker (6 Vickers .661in HMG in casemates and cloches) which will have extensive communications equipment and a hospital. A line of seven small MG bunkers and two large bunkers will be built on either flank for protection. Alor Setar will have another line behind the town for additional protection. The village of Kangar on the border has three bunkers each with one 3.7in QF in a casemate and two Vickers in a cloche. The important aerodrome at Butterworth is protected on all sides by seven MG bunkers with two MGs each and a battery of mobile 18pdr guns. Batteries of eight 18pdr guns in casemates are restricted to Butterworth and Kuala Lumpur. An even larger fort with six 4.5in guns in turrets and no less than eight 2pdr anti-tank guns with twenty .661in Vickers HMGs may be built at both towns by 1939.
Hong Kong : Twenty MG bunkers (two .303in Vickers each) and six 3.7in QF bunkers connected by tunnels to six 18pdr casemates (both facing inland and out to sea) and four large bunkers (6 Vickers .661in HMG in casemates and cloches) which have extensive communications equipment and a hospital. An even larger fort with six 4.5in guns in turrets and four 2pdr anti-tank guns in casemates with ten .661in Vickers HMGs may be built by 1939. Ten artillery positions are to be used for coastal defence with three concrete fire-control director towers with 15 foot rangefinders, one communications bunker, six MG bunkers with two Vickers MG each and manned by nine men.
Kuching (Sarawak): Protected by three bunkers (three Vickers MG each) and three 4in guns with shields in open concrete emplacements. The airfield has basic field works for defence and some concrete trenches. One heavy and one light AA battery.
Miri: (Sarawak): Protected by two bunkers (two Vickers MG each) and three 3in guns with shields in open concrete emplacements.
Kota Kinabalu (Sarawak): Protected by six bunkers (two Vickers MG each) and four 4in guns with shields in open concrete emplacements. The airfield has basic field works for defence and some concrete trenches and two single MG bunkers. One heavy and two light AA batteries.
Kundat (Sarawak): A temporary base at Kundat is to be operational by the end of the year. Eventually a permanent flying boat base with slipways, three hangars, extensive workshops and underground fuel tanks will be erected by the end of 1936. It will be protected by two heavy and two light AA batteries and six single MG bunkers. Six 4.7in guns in casemates (with two MGs each) will cover the inlet along with four bunkers with four .661in Vickers HMG in cloches.
Caribbean
Jamaica : Mainly obsolete 9.2in and 6in guns in old forts and open mounts. Limited modernisation will be concentrated around Kingstown with two concrete fire-control director towers with 15 foot rangefinders and six new 6in guns in shielded mounts. Two heavy 3.7in AA and three light 20mm AA batteries will be based in Jamaica near the port and airbases. Montego Bay and Port Antonio will each receive six basic hexagonal concrete bunkers holding ten men each will be built around the town and port with slots for rifles and LMGs and two 4in guns in open mounts.
Falklands
Port Stanley : Basic open positions for eight 18pdr guns and two open MG positions. A line of seven basic hexagonal concrete bunkers holding ten men each will be built around the town and port with slots for rifles and LMGs. Two buried MG bunkers will be built at the port armed with three MGs in a cloche.
Wednesday, April 24th 2024, 9:14pm
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