Second World War Coastal Defences

1939-1945

During the Second World War, the Isle of Wight was heavily fortified as part of the defence of the Solent and the south coast. Anti-aircraft batteries, gun emplacements, pillboxes, radar stations and beach obstacles were installed around the island's coastline. The island's position made it both a defensive barrier and a potential target. German bombing raids hit Newport, Cowes and other towns, and the Saunders-Roe factory in East Cowes, which was building military flying boats, was a particular target. In the lead-up to D-Day, the island was part of the massive military build-up along the south coast, with troops, vehicles and equipment marshalled in the area. PLUTO (Pipe-Lines Under The Ocean), which supplied fuel to the Normandy invasion forces, had pumping stations on the island's south coast.