A Second World War artillery battery at Capel was built between 1941 and 1942 on the cliff tops of Capel-Le_Ferne between Dover and Folkestone.
Manned by 520 Coast Regiment Royal Artillery. Aerial photographs taken in 1942 and 1945 show that this was an extensive site, with probable barracks indicated by Nissen huts, roads, hard standings and around 19 military buildings.
The domestic side of the site is sheltered by a large berm (defensive bank) extending along the seaward side, and the whole site is surrounded by barbed wire obstructions. The battery mounted three eight-inch coastal guns. The eastern side of the battery site was redeveloped into the Battle of Britain Memorial (see NMR Monument Record 1394858) in 1993.
With THE COLLAPSE OF FRANCE in June 1940 Britain found herself facing possible invasion. Accordingly there was an urgent need for guns to defend the coast, particularly in the area around Dover, only twenty-two miles from German occupied France.
In July 1940, amongst many other measures, Winston Churchill ordered the Admiralty to release six fifteen-inch and six eight-inch high performance guns to boost coastal defence and to improve cross channel artillery capability from Dover.
From this vantage point the three 8" guns that formed the battery were able to provide anti-shipping defensive fire into the English Channel from 1942 onwards.
The plotting room, shelter and dressing station for the battery were all kept underground. On the surface were an observation post (OP) and two engine blocks - one to take over if the other was rendered useless. Capel's anti-aircraft defence provided by two 40mm Bofors guns, the AA gun of choice for most batteries of this type and age.
Manned by 520 Coast Regiment Royal Artillery. Aerial photographs taken in 1942 and 1945 show that this was an extensive site, with probable barracks indicated by Nissen huts, roads, hard standings and around 19 military buildings.
The domestic side of the site is sheltered by a large berm (defensive bank) extending along the seaward side, and the whole site is surrounded by barbed wire obstructions. The battery mounted three eight-inch coastal guns. The eastern side of the battery site was redeveloped into the Battle of Britain Memorial (see NMR Monument Record 1394858) in 1993.
With THE COLLAPSE OF FRANCE in June 1940 Britain found herself facing possible invasion. Accordingly there was an urgent need for guns to defend the coast, particularly in the area around Dover, only twenty-two miles from German occupied France.
In July 1940, amongst many other measures, Winston Churchill ordered the Admiralty to release six fifteen-inch and six eight-inch high performance guns to boost coastal defence and to improve cross channel artillery capability from Dover.
From this vantage point the three 8" guns that formed the battery were able to provide anti-shipping defensive fire into the English Channel from 1942 onwards.
The plotting room, shelter and dressing station for the battery were all kept underground. On the surface were an observation post (OP) and two engine blocks - one to take over if the other was rendered useless. Capel's anti-aircraft defence provided by two 40mm Bofors guns, the AA gun of choice for most batteries of this type and age.
The land is now owned by Mr J Button who has exposed the crew shelter, gun store and compressor house to No.1 gun, unearthed the 'Gun' foundations.
We gained access to the underground plotting room all of which are intact.
We have uncovered the foundations of the many buildings on site.
We creating museum and access to the No.3 gun and the underground plotting room and underground dressing station.
Our ‘Open Days’ start from April for Visitors visit the site:-
22 April 2023
20 May 2023
17 June 2023
22 July 2023
19 August 2023
16 September 2023
21 October 2023
We gained access to the underground plotting room all of which are intact.
We have uncovered the foundations of the many buildings on site.
We creating museum and access to the No.3 gun and the underground plotting room and underground dressing station.
Our ‘Open Days’ start from April for Visitors visit the site:-
22 April 2023
20 May 2023
17 June 2023
22 July 2023
19 August 2023
16 September 2023
21 October 2023