Life in Newburgh on Ythan

By Talpa

WW2 dereliction

Another echo of war among the sand dunes behind Newburgh beach. This brick and concrete pillbox was built in 1941 to help hinder any landing by the German forces. These days it is normally largely buried in the sand but the recent gales have exposed it again. The pillbox is unusual in that it faces inland rather than, as is usual, towards the beach and out to sea from whence the Germans would arrive. The reason for this is that it was designed to protect a coastal gun battery and to oppose  an attack from the rear by any German troops who had managed to land and to infiltrate behind the beach.

Extra. The interior is normally packed to the roof with sand but currently it is only half full and access is possible. Unusually the interior fittings are still largely intact, including the protective steel shutters and their raising and lowering cables.

Extra, extra. Meanwhile, down at the harbour the lesser black back gull is having an inspirational chat with his young lad; One day, my boy, this will all be yours! 

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