Monument record MDO46190 - World War Two Emergency Coastal Battery, Abbotsbury

An emergency battery built during the Second World War as part of Southern Command's coastal defences. The battery was commissioned in July 1940 and mounted two 4-inch guns. By 1943 the guns had been replaced with two 6-inch naval guns and reduced to care and maintenance status. Aerial photography from 1963 shows that the battery has been removed and the site given over to agricultural use.

Abbotsbury coastal battery located at SY 562 846. This was an emergency battery built during the Second World War as part of Southern Command's coastal defences. The battery was commissioned in July 1940 and mounted two 4-inch OBL guns. By 1943 the guns had been replaced with two 6-inch naval guns and reduced to care and maintenance. The battery was manned by 387 Battery of Special Coast Regiment, later 522 Coast Regiment. <1-2>

Aerial photography from 1963 shows that the battery has been removed and the site given over to agricultural use. <3>

<1> Dobinson, C S, 2000, Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.1. Coast Artillery, 1900-1956, 61 (Monograph). SDO17228.

<2> Dobinson, C S, 2000, Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.2. Coast artillery, 1900-1956, 316, 319 (Monograph). SDO17229.

<3> Anderton, M J, 2000, Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two Coastal Batteries, 68 (Unpublished document). SDO17230.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1486241 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 25 2023 3:42PM