Outer London Defence Ring
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Outer London Defence Ring was a defensive ring built around London during the early part of the Second World War. It was intended as a defence against a German invasion, and would have served as the last line of defence against attacking armoured forces.
The ring used a mixture of natural rivers and artificial ditches up to 20ft wide and 12ft deep, encircling London completely.
North of London the ring followed a path similar to the route now taken by the M25 motorway, from Watford, following the River Colne, through Potters Bar, Cuffley, Nazeing, then running south through Epping Forest, Loughton and Chigwell.
Many pillboxes and anti-tank traps are still visible at points along the ring, but in the majority of places the ditch is no longer visible, covered by the M25 or London suburbs.
[edit] See also
- Fortifications of London
- British anti-invasion preparations of World War II
- GHQ Line
- Taunton Stop Line
- Coquet Stop Line
- London Defence Positions - a Victorian approach to the same problem.
[edit] External links
- Fortress Hertfordshire
- Essex County Council - Unlocking Essex's Past
- UK Pillboxes and Invasion Defence Remains.
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