I have long used old postcards particularly from the late 1940s and 1950s as a way of identifying the exact locations and nature of a number of wartime features and structures in Cornwall. Often it was not the intention of the photographer to record them but the picture provides a valuable record especially where either the 'guardians of our heritage' have removed or buried the feature because they don't look nice for the tourists or they have fallen prey to coastal erosion. The link is to my YouTube video that features a selection of such postcards from around Cornwall. I trust that you will enjoy that and wondered if anyone else has similar cards which show long departed wartime buildings and structures.
Wunderbar Phil. Is Cornwall still one of the favorite places for Brits to retire, or is it one of the Channel Islands? Stefan. Stefan.
No we are not an island. Still joined to England last time I was at the border. Yes it is a favourite retirement spot/flee the pandemic spot/holiday destination. We have an older demographic as the young peple have to leave to find decently paid employment or affordable housing.
Sorry Phil, what I meant was, is e.g. Guernsey or Jersey the preferred place to retire, or is it Cornwall. Stefan.
Of the thousands of postcard in my wife's collections only this one from Cornwall (attached) has any connection to WW2. Several that we know did, have either had the features removed or taken so as not to show WW2 relics. We never realised how sneaky postcard photography was.
I have some photographs of H.M.S. Warspite that were found in a family photograph album. British battleship unusual photographs.
Coincidentally I spent a few days working in Bogen Fjord in the 70s where the locals told me stories about the war. Warspite was in the Fjord for some time firing at a railway gun which emerged from a tunnel to fire. Every time Warspite fired the shockwaves broke all the windows for miles around so they eventually gave up repairing them. This was also the first place that I saw the Northern Lights.
Uncle Target, Thanks for sharing the postcard of HMS Warspite. Brilliant. She was later moved nearer St Michaels Mount where attempts to salvage her failed miserably and she was eventually broken up in situ. There are memorials at Marazion and at Prussia Cove.
Found one! In my wife's collection. Dragons teeth anti tank obstacles bottom of the hill edge of the beach. Northcott Mouth Poughill Bude. Were they for real or for training American troops for D-Day. Long way to go for a German invasion.
Excellent. One I've not seen before. They were for real. There was also a pillbox at Northcott Mouth (behind and to the right of the photographer). All of the north Cornish beaches had anti-invasion measures erected in the summer of 1940. The Americans training for D-Day spent some of their time blowing them up in 1944. Some have survived at Crooklets Beach, Bude, and Widemouth Bay. There was also discussion amongst chiefs of staff and at cabinet about fears of a German invasion of Cornwall coming via the Republic of Ireland.
Hi Phil "There was also discussion amongst chiefs of staff and at cabinet about fears of a German invasion of Cornwall coming via the Republic of Ireland." That was the same for West Wales although the defences erected were few and far between, even compared to Cornwall. In our county (Cardiganshire now Ceredigion) there are about five pillboxes which are positioned to defend a long, long stretch of west-facing coast. That said there are few good landing beaches and many miles of mountainous cliffs. Re: your comment on younger people fleeing the County for a career, prospects, decent money - it was ever thus! Did the same in the late 70s and only ever returned to see my parents. Now living in West Wales which is like Cornwall was in the 70s/80s!!
Hi Skoyen, Yes the world has changed since those halcyon days of the 70s/80s!! As in West Wales same in Cornwall. Miles of 200+ foot cliffs then sandy beaches that needed defending! Have holidayed in west Wales (Manobier/Tenby) and spent 4 years at uni in Swansea exploring west. However, I still remain in awe at the efforts that were made in the summer/autumn of 1940 to "defend our island whatever the cost". It would take 10 years to plan, another 15 to build and then go over time and over budget these days! The sheer number of pillboxes and anti-tank walls and beach scaffolding and gun emplacements and trenches that were created is staggering, knowing it was only a fraction of what they had planned/felt they needed.
You might be forgiven for thinking its the Cornish Riviera but its Gibraltar 1937 what are the Warships called. Being from a seafaring County I thought you might be able to help. The lady who posted it from Tangier was working in the English Tea Rooms overlooking Gibraltar and was employed by Charles Frazer Smith (Ring any bells?) She was posting cards to a British Naval Officer in Spain. Wasn't Graf Spee in the area at the time? She left Tangier the week that war was declared. Charles Frazer Smith lived in North Devon for a while post war (almost Cornwall).
Fascinating card Uncle Target I'm no expert on warship silhouettes - someone else will have to answer that one. Charles Frazer Smith I met once at his home in North Devon when my father called to see him - my father having previously preached at his church. I have his books and the David Porter biography about him. Brilliant chap and a great asset to the British war effort and the inspiration for Ian Fleming's Q.
