Downsforce Project - Background

Purpose and composition

Although references to Bren Carrier patrols roaming the Downs date back to 1940, the name "Downsforce" does not appear in the documents until mid-1941. The following extract comes from an Operation Instruction of May of that year:

Downsforce is a special force organized for the defence of the Downs.

Downsforce will locate and destroy any enemy on the Downs between the River Ouse and Cuckmere River and by occupation of static positions will hold the high ground...thus securing the bridgehead...

THERE WILL BE NO WITHDRAWAL FROM STATIC POSITIONS

The map at right shows the general areas occupied by Downsforce and some related neighbouring units; these are just to give an overview, and are not precise locations. Indeed, not all of these areas were occupied simultaneously, as the plans changed and developed throughout 1941-42.

[Reproduced from the 1941 1-inch sheet 134 with the kind permission of the Ordnance Survey]

Although Downsforce was mainly static, it did have a mobile element comprising Bren carriers, whose task was to prevent German forces advancing towards the high ground. If they were unsucessful in this, they were to fight a delaying action before withdrawing back up to their starting position to the north. All forces were to engage German paratroops, who were seen as a key threat to the security on the Downs.

Downsforce also had artillery support comprising field artillery in the 18/25-pounder range tasked with bringing down fire on likely strategic areas through which German forces might move.

Further support was provided by various sections of Vickers guns and a detachment from the Field Ambulance unit brigaded in the area.

The static positions

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this project has been the discovery of over 100 slit trenches (or evidence of them) on the Downs.

While the area held by Downsforce later became Blocks 1 & 2 of the South Downs Training Area and probably saw further defences dug, documentary evidence suggests that the overwhelming majority, if not all, were dug by men under the command of Downsforce.

The Landscape evidence page describes my fieldwork and what I've discovered so far.