Wartime Coastal Defences at Pagham

1940-1944

During the Second World War, Pagham's coastline was fortified against the threat of German invasion. Concrete pillboxes, anti-tank obstacles and barbed wire were installed along the beach and around the harbour. The flat, open terrain of the Manhood Peninsula was considered vulnerable to amphibious assault, and the coastal defences formed part of the wider defensive network along the south coast. Pagham Harbour was mined and obstructed to prevent its use as a landing point. Some of the concrete defence structures survived long after the war and can still be seen along the beach and harbour shore, weathered and partially buried in the shingle.