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Somerset Historic Environment Record

15450

Public access:

(Please see the indivudual components for any details of public access). [Information last updated on 09 October 2003]

Details:

Following the German invasion of France in May/June 1940 and the evacuation of Dunkirk a massive scheme of anti-invasion defences was constructed. It was decided that the coasts were too long to defend and an inland position was devised (the GHQ Line) behind which the limited mobile forces could prepare to meet an invasion. The line consisted of a combination of natural and artificial obstacles and ran from Highbridge eastwards to London and then north towards Edinburgh - a planned distance of over 800 miles. This was soon scaled-down and only those parts south of the Wash were completed. At the west end the line joined the Taunton Stop Line (PRN 15410) which protected against a landing in Devon or Cornwall. Other lines were built forward of the GHQ line to try to contain an attack. The only other one in Somerset is part of the Salisbury West Line near Frome (PRN 15460).

By August 1940 the line was considered strategically obsolete and plans switched to defending the beaches and a network of strongpoints based around towns and road crossings. The GHQ line was totally abandoned early in 1941 but several places along it were designated strong points and their all-round defences improved.

A general reconnaissance of the line was undertaken on 14-15 June 1940 which formed the basis of instructions issued on the 18th June to Southern Command to build the line between Bristol and London. The line (Green Line) from Highbridge to Bradford-on Avon formed part of the outer defences of Bristol and continued back to the River Severn south of Gloucester although this section was not completed. Two lines ran from the Green Line to Reading: the Blue Line along the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Red Line along the River Thames.

The first tactical and engineering reconnaissance took the week beginning 1July 1940. Using the River Brue as the tank barrier, the line ran east to Meare and then up the Whitelake Stream to Godney where an anti-tank ditch was dug past Fenny Castle (PRN 24455) to the River Sheppey. The line followed the River past Coxley when a longer stretch of ditch was dug to the S of Wells. The line then ran along Dinder Hill to the railway (PRN 24131) near Maesbury Station. From there it followed the railway to the county boundary. {1}

References:

Record created on 16 May 2002

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