Defence Types

The tables below give the frequency of the different types of defence work currently in the database.

Frequency by Defence Type		Total
1	Naval Beach Mine	9373
2	Anti-Tank Mine	7789
3	Cylinders	4850
4	Buoys	4829
5	Cubes	4515
6	Sockets	2701
7	Hairpin Rails	1692
8	Pimples	1688
9	Straight Rails	1169
10	Bren Gun	89
11	Anti-Tank Rifle	74
12	Vickers Gun (M.M.G.)	33

Frequency by Defence Type		Total
13	Lyon Light	25
14	Bren Gun (Fixed Arc)	17
15	Lewis Gun	11
16	Bren Gun (Fixed Line)	6
17	Magdalux Light	6
18	2-inch Mortar	4
19	3-inch Mortar	4
20	Hotchkiss Machine gun	2
21	Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)	1
22	Browning M.G.	1
23	Strand Pageant Light	1

The tables at left comprise the totals recorded so far of small defensive 'components' that have been excluded from the main statistics tables below (and all other statistical calculations) to avoid inflating the numbers out of proportion. The number of cubes is disproportionately low, due to the main stretches along the coast and around nodal points not having been recorded according to individual numbers.

It should be noted that the Defence Type entries are at present entered using natural language, in many cases taken from the original document entry, until the precise nature of the feature is determined. For example, the 'Defended Walled Garden' is very likely to comprise loopholed walls, although this is not specifically expressed. Further research may reveal exactly how the area was defended and the nomenclature amended accordingly. As the project progresses, a controlled vocabulary based on existing entries will be introduced, as the potential for duplication of sites already exists within the database.

Another point to remember is that not all of these defences existed simultaneously; for example, 75mm guns replaced 4-inch guns, gun positions were relocated as longer-range weapons became available, and slit trenches were always being backfilled and new ones dug. Also, small arms such as Bren Guns are listed as 'components' as they were located within the pillboxes and other defence works listed below.

Frequency by Defence Type		Total
1	Roadblock	587
2	Pillbox	443
3	Minefield	118
4	25-pdr Field Gun	110
5	Defended Building	101
6	Defended Post	96
7	Barrel Flame Trap (Fougasse)	88
8	Demolition (Canadian Pipe Mine)	85
9	Strombos Horn	83
10	Gun Position (Anti-Aircraft)	74
11	Observation Post (Artillery)	68
12	40mm Bofors Gun	65
13	Refugee Crossing Point	63
14	Demolition (Accommodation bridge)	60
15	Observation Post (Home Guard)	60
16	Gun Position (Anti-Tank)	52
17	Billet	50
18	Searchlight (Anti-Aircraft)	47
19	Railblock	44
20	Defended Village	42
21	Gun Position (Field Arty.)	41
22	Pre-registered Target (Coast Artillery)	38
23	2-pdr Anti-Tank Gun	36
24	Flame trap firing point	35
25	Headquarters (Troop)	35
26	Nodal Point	35
27	Beach Light	34
28	75mm Anti-Tank Gun	34
29	Battle Disposition (Home Guard)	32
30	Trench	31
31	Platoon Locality	29
32	Weapon pit	26
33	Headquarters (Battery)	24
34	Slit Trench	24
35	3.7-inch Gun	24
36	Pillbox Type 24 (Shell-proof)	23
37	Demolition (Bridge)	22
38	Anti-Tank Cable	19
39	Royal Observer Corps Post	18
40	Shingle Gun	18
41	9.2-inch Howitzer	16
42	Headquarters (Platoon)	15
43	Gun Position (Heavy Arty.)	12
44	Pre-registered Target (Beach Bombing)	12
45	Sub-Section locality (R.E.)	12
46	6-inch Gun	11
47	Gun Emplacement (Coast Arty.)	11
48	Observation Post	11
49	Emergency Coast Defence Battery	10
50	Headquarters (Regimental)	10

Frequency by Defence Type		Total
51	4-inch Gun	10
52	6-pdr Anti-Tank Gun	9
53	Gun Position (Super-Heavy Arty.)	9
54	Mineboard	8
55	Clearance Demolition	8
56	Headquarters (Company)	7
57	Anti-Tank Ditch	6
58	Company Locality	6
59	Defended Coastal Town (Nodal Point)	6
60	Gun Emplacement (Anti-Tank)	6
61	Martello Tower	6
62	Pillbox (dummy)	6
63	12-inch Howitzer	6
64	60-pdr Gun	6
65	Pillbox Type 24 (Thin-walled)	5
66	Pillbox Type 25	5
67	Searchlight (CASL)	5
68	A.A. L.M.G.	4
69	Armoured Truck	4
70	Battery Observation Post	4
71	Demolition (Pier)	4
72	Obstructed Landing Ground	4
73	Ryder Flare	4
74	Loopholed Wall	4
75	Breastwork	4
76	4.5-inch Howitzer	4
77	Anti-tank obstacle	3
78	Coast Defence RDF Station	3
79	Flame Jet	3
80	Gun Emplacement	3
81	Lewis Quad	3
82	Prohibited Area	3
83	Anderson shelter	3
84	Gun position	3
85	12-pdr gun	2
86	3-pdr Gun	2
87	4.7-inch Gun	2
88	6-pdr Hotchkiss Gun	2
89	8-inch Howitzer	2
90	Battle Headquarters (Brigade)	2
91	Battle Headquarters (Company)	2
92	Beach Flame Barrage	2
93	Booby-Trap	2
94	Camouflaged landmark	2
95	Coast Defence Battery	2
96	Demolition (Canal lock)	2
97	Flooded Area	2
98	Gun Position (Medium Arty.)	2
99	Headquarters (S/L Battery)	2
100	Medical: First Aid Post	2

Frequency by Defence Type		Total
101	Observation Post (mobile)	2
102	Pillbox Type 22	2
103	Pillbox Type 28	2
104	Pillbox Type 28a	2
105	Demolition (Building)	2
106	Sniper position	2
107	4-inch Gun (Lorry-mounted)	1
108	Air Raid Shelter	1
109	Barbed Wire	1
110	Battery Plotting Room	1
111	Battle Headquarters (Battalion)	1
112	Bridge Construction	1
113	CORPS STOP LINE	1
114	Defended Locality	1
115	Defended Port	1
116	Defended Walled Garden	1
117	Elephant shelter	1
118	Examination Battery	1
119	GHQ LINE	1
120	Gun Position (Field Arty.) (alt)	1
121	Harbour Immobilisation: Blockship	1
122	Headquarters (Battalion)	1
123	Headquarters (Div arty)	1
124	Headquarters (Naval)	1
125	Headquarters (ROC)	1
126	Magazine	1
127	Maycrete hut	1
128	Medical: ADS	1
129	Medical: RAP	1
130	Minefield (dummy)	1
131	NEWHAVEN FORT	1
132	Nissen Hut	1
133	Obstruction	1
134	PEVENSEY CASTLE	1
135	Pillbox Type 23	1
136	Rangefinder	1
137	RDF Station	1
138	Spigot mortar	1
139	Tank Road	1
140	Target run	1