Share this page!

Enter URL or ID to Unroll

You can paste full URL like: https://x.com/threadreaderapp/status/1644127596119195649
or just the ID like: 1644127596119195649

How to get URL link on X (Twitter) App

  1. On the Twitter thread, click on or icon on the bottom
  2. Click again on or Share Via icon
  3. Click on Copy Link to Tweet
  4. Paste it above and click "Unroll Thread"!
  5. More info at Twitter Help
Peter Hibbs Profile picture
Peter Hibbs
@sussexPillbox
The Defence of East Sussex Project is the most comprehensive post-war survey of military activity in the county 1939-45.
Oct 23, 2021 • 17 tweets • 15 min read
When I tweeted yesterday, I never dreamed that today would turn out to be such an epic voyage of discovery! My brain is still frazzled, so I'll add to this thread over the coming days as I untangle today's findings. #swwSussex 1/ ImageImageImageImage This pillbox is one of many still extant as part of the defence of Rye and Winchelsea. It stands on private land; we had permission to visit. The tables are designed for the Vickers machine gun and are similar to those at Rye Harbour: 2/ ImageImageImageImage
Oct 18, 2021 • 7 tweets • 7 min read
In 1940 Bishopstone Station had a pillbox built on its roof, cleverly camouflaged into the Art Deco architecture. In December 2020 I was granted access; read my blog for more detail! pillbox.org.uk/blog/251798/ #swwSussex @MrTimDunn 1/6 ImageImageImageImage Opened in 1938, the station building stands above a railway cutting. It's not immediately obvious that the pillbox actually has four embrasures. I build a 3D model a few years ago to help interpret the layout and siting. 2/6 ImageImageImageImage
Nov 17, 2019 • 8 tweets • 7 min read
THREAD: clearing a heavily-overgrown pillbox somewhere in #swwSussex. An amazing day organised by @suspol_heritage with @UnseenSussex. A professional tree surgeon undertook the tree removal and minor landscaping. 1/7 One tree stump was removed to prevent further growth that would affect the pillbox. The Bobcat also scraped back the ground surface to help open up the embrasures again. 2/7
Aug 17, 2019 • 8 tweets • 7 min read
THREAD: Big thanks to our team of volunteers who did an amazing job cleaning the exterior of a pillbox today! It stands on private property and had not previously been recorded. #swwSussex 1/7 Prior archive research gave us some good leads. A 1940 document told us this was pillbox GL6 on the WX-WZ Stop Line, with 6 Home Guards & 6 rifles. We also had a blank copy of orders, a copy of which would've been in this pillbox in 1940. "THIS POST WILL BE HELD TO THE LAST" 2/7
Nov 10, 2018 • 5 tweets • 5 min read
THREAD: 1. Fantastic day @ryeharbour_NR cleaning out one of the pillboxes. Despite heavy rain, our amazing team of volunteers from Sussex Military History Society and the nature reserve shovelled several tons of shingle and sand 6 inches deep from the interior. #ww2Sussex 2. Each bucket of spoil was carefully sifted for finds. We found a large spanner (probably not military) and what may prove to be a handle from an ammo box.
Oct 5, 2018 • 6 tweets • 6 min read
1. THREAD: an amazing day @ryeharbour_NR doing archaeological reconstruction with a Vickers gun in one of the pillboxes! #ww2Sussexe 2. The 6 concrete tables were designed for the Vickers gun. Shallow sockets in the concrete were probably to prevent the tripod sliding due to recoil. However, we found only 3 sets of sockets fitted the legs correctly - essential for making the tripod level!
Sep 17, 2018 • 9 tweets • 9 min read
THREAD: Spent 3 days @shorehamfort excavating a keyhole-shaped structure outlined in brick. We thought this might have been an emplacement for a WW2 anti-aircraft light machine gun (AA LMG). Stage 1 was to brush off and expose the remains breaking the surface. #ww2Sussex 1/8 Compacted shingle was trowelled off to reveal cinders beneath. Below this was a concrete floor, yet the rear of the structure suggested a sunken entrance. We also had what seemed to be a holdfast with a ring of 1-inch bolts - far too substantial for our AA LMG theory. 2/8