Defend East Lothian

Theses are the concrete WW2 defences at Longniddry, blipped on today’s exercise.

After defeats in Northern France in early World War Two, Britain readied itself for a coastal invasion. East Lothian had an important strategic role in both wars and there are reminders all the way along the coast of a dark time in the East Coast's history. 

General Edmund Ironside decided that 'Stop Lines' and beach defences should be built. Soldiers from around the UK and Polish servicemen worked on building the 'coastal crust' at weak points all along the East Coast of Scotland to defend against a sea-landing and to prevent tanks from getting any further than the beach. They were designed to delay any invading army until the British Army could be mobilised.

Thankfully, they were not needed.

I hope you are having a good midweek.