Fan Bay Deep Shelter

Internal structure of the Fan Bay Deep Shelter.
Internal structure of the Fan Bay Deep Shelter.

Fan Bay Deep Shelter is a series of tunnels constructed during World War II as accommodation for Fan Bay Battery artillery battery, 23 metres down in the White Cliffs of Dover at Fan Bay near the Port of Dover.[1][2][3][4] The tunnels and gun battery were built by the Royal Engineers between 20 November 1940 and 28 February 1941. The site is maintained by the National Trust.

The tunnels are lined with corrugated steel arching and the complex originally included five large tunnels with storage space for bunk beds, rifles, a hospital and a secure store, a generator, toilets and washrooms. The gun battery was intended to attack enemy shipping moving through the English Channel.

The tunnels were abandoned in the 1950s and filled in with debris in the 1970s. In 2012 the tunnels were rediscovered by the National Trust after purchasing this section of the cliffs. The restoration work, carried over 18 months, included removal of 100 tonnes of rubble.[5] The tunnels were opened to the public on 20 July 2015.

Near the site are two World War One sound mirrors.

See also

References

  1. ^ Kennedy, Maev (20 July 2015). "Churchill's wartime tunnels under white cliffs of Dover open to the public". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  2. ^ Milmo, Cahal (20 July 2015). "Forgotten World War Two tunnels under White Cliffs of Dover to reopen". The Independent. London. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  3. ^ Hartley-Parkinson, Richard (20 July 2015). "Inside Churchill's secret tunnels: Passages under White Cliffs of Dover opened for first time in 40 years". Metro (British newspaper). London. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  4. ^ "Churchill's Secret WWII Tunnels Open To Public". Sky News. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Britain's frontline WWII tunnels rediscovered". News Limited. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
One of the Sound Mirrors at Fan Bay Deep Shelter.
One of the Sound Mirrors at Fan Bay Deep Shelter.

51°08′10.8″N 1°21′37.55″E / 51.136333°N 1.3604306°E / 51.136333; 1.3604306