The east coast of Scotland was lined with coastal defences and stop lines during World War II, in response to the German occupation of Norway and the threat of invasion from the east. Tentsmuir Coastal Defences extended from Tayport in the north, and along Tentsmuir Sands to Leuchars in the south, defending the airfield at RAF Leuchars. Other defences can still be found nearby, including concrete blocks, dragon's teeth, and anti-glider poles, however many of the concrete blocks that were originally placed as tank traps have been moved, and placed on the beach to serve as sea defences.
In 2010, the rusting remains of a narrow gauge raliway wagon were revealed as a result of erosion of the dunes at Tentsmuir, and is generally seen following very high tides and storms.
A Drem Q type airfield decoy has been recorded to the north of RAF Leuchars. The Q type power generator bunker was one of two for Leuchars Airfield, and was named Eden Mouth in the official list.
Pillboxes at NO467278 Map jump near a World War II RAF meteorological station .
Defences at NO467278 near Lundin Bridge Map jump
Beach defences placed in 1940 lie in NO5027 Map jump The dunes are reported to move seaward at a rate of five metres per year, leaving the defences behind, now distant from the water's edge.
Defences lying in NO504265 Map jump undermined by the sea.
Looking across the mouth of the River Eden in NO4921 Map jump towards Guardbridge with the landing lights for RAF Leuchars just visible in the water.
Three lines of defence at NO493214 Map jump adjacent to RAF Leuchars.
References
External links
| RCAHMS reference | Map markers |
|---|
| 73 Anti-tank blocks | From 73 Anti-tank blocks NO4646828542 Map jump to 73 Anti-tank blocks NO47312772 Map jump |
| 71 Pillbox Type 24 | 71 Pillbox Type 24 NO49962782 Map jump |
| 72 Pillboxes | 72 Pillbox NO49862795 Map jump and 72 Pillbox NO49912795 Map jump |
| 1 Observation post, quadrant tower for bombing range | 1 Observation post, quadrant tower NO50402668 Map jump plus a 1 concrete aiming arrow NO504263 Map jump and a 1 circular target area NO505268 Map jump |
| 7 Anti-tank blocks | From 7 Anti-tank blocks NO50452700 Map jump to 7 Anti-tank blocks NO50002778 Map jump |
| 117 Gun emplacement | 117 Gun emplacement NO499272 Map jump |
| 127 Pillbox | 127 Pillbox NO47212772 Map jump |
| 164 Anti-glider posts | 164 Anti-glider posts NO480265 Map jump |
| 14 Anti-glider posts | 14 Anti-glider posts NO50552758 Map jump |
| 1 Observation post, bombing range quadrant tower | 1 Observation post, bombing range quadrant tower NO50072485 Map jump |
| 1 Observation post, bombing range quadrant tower | 1 Observation post, bombing range quadrant tower NO50402668 Map jump |
| 2 Observation post, bombing range quadrant tower | 2 Observation post, bombing range quadrant tower NO50332571 Map jump |
| 3 Pillbox Type 24 | 3 Pillbox Type 24 NO504258 Map jump |
| 4 Command post, observation post | 4 Command-post, observation post NO50332580 Map jump |
| 5 Pillbox | 5 Pillbox NO50362585 Map jump |
| 6 Pillbox | 6 Pillbox NO50362602 Map jump |
| 7 Anti-tank blocks | From 7 Anti-tank blocks NO50452700 Map jump to 7 Anti-tank blocks NO50002778 Map jump |
| 8 Railway | 8 Railway NO50422647 Map jump |
| 10 Anti-tank blocks | From 10 Anti-tank blocks NO50172500 Map jump to 10 Anti-tank blocks NO50452699 Map jump Map jump |
| 9 Anti-glider posts | 9 Anti-glider posts NO50302523 Map jump |
| 16 Bombing target | 16 Bombing target NO504262 Map jump |
| 17 Firing range | 17 Firing range NO50252576 Map jump |
| 56 Pillbox | 56 Pillbox NO49822281 Map jump |
| 57 Command post, observation post | 57 Command-post, observation postNO49862302 Map jump |
| 1 Observation post, quadrant tower | 1 Observation post, quadrant towerNO50072485 |
| 77 Military camp, trench | 77 Military camp, trench NO48172385 Map jump |
| 78 Gun emplacement | 78 Gun emplacementNO49872402 Map jump |
| 9 Anti-glider posts | 9 Anti-glider posts NO50302523 Map jump |
| 2 Anti-tanks blocks | From 2 Anti-tanks blocks NO50012400 Map jump to 2 Anti-tanks blocks NO50172499 Map jump |
| 100 Decoy site Q | 100 Decoy site Q NO49722281 Map jump |
| 56 Pillbox | 56 Pillbox NO49822281 Map jump |
| 57 Command post, observation post | 57 Command-post, observation post NO49862302 Map jump |
| 79 Gun emplacement | 79 Gun emplacement NO492215 Map jump |
| 81 Anti-tank blocks | From 81 Anti-tank blocks NO50012400 Map jump to 81 Anti-tank blocks NO50172499 Map jump |
| 92 Pillbox | 92 Pillbox NO49192127 Map jump |
| 101 Anti-tank blocks | From 101 Anti-tank blocks NO49942322 Map jump to 101 Anti-tank blocks NO49362177 Map jump |
| 102 Military installation, command post | 102 Military installation, command-post NO49382221 Map jump |
| 103 Military installation, enclosure | 103 Military installation, enclosure NO49362215 Map jump |
| 113 Anti-glider posts | 113 Anti-glider posts NO47841997 Map jump |
Aerial views
Map
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