During World War II, the position of Rye was on the front line. With Britain expecting a possible invasion by the Germans in this area, defenses were installed to be prepared for this possibility, using Camber Castle as an observation point.

James Standing

May 28, 2018

Rye's position in the English channel placed it on the front line during the second World War. Following the evacuation from Dunkirk, Britain expected an invasion by the Germans in 1940. In fact, this area had been earmarked by the German 16th army as a beachhead for operation sea lion - the German plan for the invasion of England.

The flat landscape was an ideal landing place - troops could land using gliders or parachutes, cross over the Military Canal then secure airfeidls further inland. Troops arriving by boat could land on the gently sloping beaches then advance across the flat landscape the seize important ports such as Dover.

James Standing

May 28, 2018

With the threat of German invasion, defences were installed to counter this possibility. Camber Castle (visible from this point) was an observation point. A radar station was set up to the north at Brooklands to detect incoming aircraft. Beaches were mined.

The area was fortified with concrete pill boxes which would hold machine gun positions. A system of decoy lights was setup to encourage German bombers to drop their load on this open area rather than Rye.

Concrete bunkers were built for the control staff to shelter in during raids. Today, the rare remains of a concrete Standen Sector shelter can still be seen. Meanwhile, many of Rye's residents were evacuated, including 85,000 sheep that were relocated to Yorkshire by train.

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Location: Rye, Rother, East Sussex, South East England, England, United Kingdom

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