Holderness Coast military buildings, including Godwin Battery, Green Battery, & gunning emplacements

Описание: The Holderness Coast in the East Riding of Yorkshire is known not only for its dramatic, rapidly eroding cliffs but also for remnants of its military past.

Over the centuries and particularly during periods of heightened coastal threat such as the Napoleonic Wars and World War II. Various military structures were established along the coast. These include coastal artillery batteries, observation posts, and pillboxes designed to protect against potential seaborne invasions.

Some key points about the old military buildings on the Holderness Coast:
• Strategic Importance:
The coastline’s proximity to the North Sea made it a key defensive position. Structures built here were intended to monitor and, if necessary, repel enemy ships.
• Types of Fortifications:
You can find remnants of artillery batteries (positions from which coastal guns were fired), as well as smaller defensive structures like pillboxes and observation posts. These were often designed to blend into the landscape or take advantage of the natural topography.
• Present-Day Remnants:
While many of these buildings have fallen into disrepair or been eroded by the sea over time, they remain as historical markers that reflect the area’s military heritage. Local history groups and enthusiasts often document and preserve what remains, adding to the rich narrative of the Holderness Coast.

In this short film, I touch on the old military buildings between Kilnsea and Spurn Point.

Godwin Battery, often referred to as Fort Godwin, was a coastal artillery installation located near Kilnsea, East Yorkshire, close to Spurn Point.

Constructed in 1915 during World War I, its primary purpose was to defend the Humber Estuary and the vital ports along its shores.

The battery was equipped with two substantial 9.2-inch breech-loading (BL) guns mounted in circular concrete emplacements.

As you can see in the photo. These were designed to counter potential naval threats.

Throughout World War I, Godwin Battery played a crucial role in coastal defence and remained active during the inter-war years.

With the onset of World War II, the battery underwent modifications to address evolving military needs, ensuring its continued strategic importance.

The battery was strategically positioned on low cliffs near Kilnsea and served as the terminus for a military railway that extended to further fortifications at Spurn Point. This railway facilitated the efficient movement of troops and supplies between defensive positions.

In 1960, Godwin Battery was sold and transformed into a caravan site known as Sandy Beaches.

At Spurn Point, you can find other remains of military buildings from both World Wars, including blast walls, which offered an extra layer of protection to buildings at risk from falling bombs.

This is the most intact of the Gun Emplacements. It was used in both World Wars, the guns that were housed here were a formidable defence against potential enemy attack.

At the end of World War Two, the guns were removed and the area was left to grow wild until it became the great wildlife-friendly scrubland you see today.

While some military structures, including gun emplacements and concrete pillboxes, remain, many were demolished in the 1970s due to safety concerns.

Today, the remnants of these old military buildings stand as a testament to the region’s rich military history, offering insight into early 20th-century coastal defence strategies.

Some of these military buildings have been lost to the sea. I’ve been coming here and photographing and filming these structures for many years.

Some are no longer evident, only in this short film.