Regulus 1 Posted 1 October , 2006 Share Posted 1 October , 2006 Hi, I'm working on a few books for the moment, one of them being on the remaining pill boxes in West Flanders. Can anyone tell me more on the evolution of the British pill boxes in WW I and especially on the origins of it. What units were responsible for example for the construction of them in the Ypres region ? Any help is most aprreciated ! Thanks and best from Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 1 October , 2006 Share Posted 1 October , 2006 Johan, Have you come across the book Pillboxes on the Western Front (Guide to the Design, Construction and Use of Concrete Pillboxes, 1914-18) by Peter Oldham? It's a fascinating book and would be essential reading for you I guess! It's out of print now but Amazon lists a few used (at silly prices). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 2 October , 2006 Share Posted 2 October , 2006 slightly cheaper on www.abebooks.co.uk but not much. Although I don't think it was cheap when it came out. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Poilu Posted 2 October , 2006 Share Posted 2 October , 2006 Good find Mick, I had no idea very recent books were appreciating so much, glad I got mine when it came out! http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDeta...D0%26sortby%3D3 This might be handy too: http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDeta...D0%26sortby%3D3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regulus 1 Posted 2 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2006 Gentlemen, I did read it in the past and I will purchase indeed a 'new' copy of it. Thank you very much for these links, which make it already a lot easier on me. Peter Oldham's book on the matter is indeed gold ! Thanks and best from Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockney tone Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 Johan, moving slightly 'off thread' if you get a spare moment with nothing to do have a look at www.pillboxesuk.co.uk this is an interesting site about pillboxes and defences in the UK during WW2. regards, Scottie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themonsstar Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 Hi Johan If can get a copy this is a very good book "Studies of German Defences Near Lille" by Capt/Maj B.T. Wilson D.S.O. R.E. the book covers 3 areas: 1. Aubers Ridge. 2. Pont-A-Vendin. 3. Menin-Roulers Road. and the book is full of Photographs, Maps, reports, plates, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mebu Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 I agree that the Wilson book is a very good source, full of info on this topic. I have never seen a copy for sale but the RE library at Brompton Barracks should be able to arrange a photocopy. Many of the structures detailed by Wilson are still standing and can be visited. Regards, Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Brown Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 We had a look at a concrete observation post with No Man's Land at Serre a couple of years ago. There is a report on the project at our website. If you follow the link to Projects and then go to La Signy you will find the report. Martin No Man's Land Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regulus 1 Posted 3 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2006 Gentlemen, Again my sincere thanks for this valuable infomation ! Best from Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petroc Posted 3 October , 2006 Share Posted 3 October , 2006 Johan; as a complete novice and idiot of the subject, I'd be interested to know of the extent to which both the British (in rudimentary or more elaborate schemes) and the Germans and Axis powers (with the infamousy formidable, though incomplete, Atlantic Wall, learned from, adopted and expanded upon their GreaT War theories and experiences........and was there any connection with those earlier artillery-based fortifications so spectacularly evidenced by the work of Vauban and his contemporaries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regulus 1 Posted 9 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 9 October , 2006 Petroc, I'm no specilist at all on WW II bunkers or Atlanticwall. However, it is very clear that the WW I sites which still existed at the Flanders coast were re-used by the Germans for the construction of the Atlantic wall, examples are to be found at Raversijde with the Salzwedel Neu and the Hundius at Oostende. There is a clear line of lessons taken in the construction of the WW I bunkers on the German side. Other examples are the WW I submarine bunkers at Brugge and the later ones at for example Saint Nazaire. On British side, it took a long time before the general staff was convinced of the usefulness of bunkers, and most of them were constructed very late in the war. The soldiers in the trench lines were already convinced of the necessity of the use of bunkers much earlier. However I can not shed much light at all on lessons taken on British side for bunker construction in WW II. Perhaps someone else here has more knowledge on this subject ? A connection with the earlier artillery based fortifications ? I'd say yes, with the German coastal batteries and the construction of these in the dunes... Sorry that I'm not of more help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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