Hougham Battery facts for kids
Hougham Battery is an old military site from World War II. It was built in 1941 to help protect the coast of southeast England. You can find it on the cliffs between the towns of Dover and Folkestone.
This battery was a "coastal defence" site. This means it was designed to stop enemy ships from getting close to the shore. It played an important role in protecting England during the war.
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What is Hougham Battery?
Hougham Battery was a special place with big guns. It had three powerful Mark VIII naval guns. These guns were 8 inches (203 mm) wide. They could fire large shells far out to sea.
Who Used the Battery?
Soldiers from the 520 Coastal Regiment Royal Artillery operated the battery. They were part of the British Army. Their job was to watch the sea and fire the guns if enemy ships appeared. The battery was built very quickly in 1941.
Inside the Battery
The battery was more than just guns. It was a whole complex of buildings. This included places for the soldiers to live and work. There was also a special underground room. This room was called the "plotting room."
The Plotting Room
The plotting room was like the brain of the battery. Here, soldiers used maps and calculations. They figured out exactly where enemy ships were. Then, they told the gun crews where to aim. This helped the big guns hit their targets accurately.
The area around Dover had several batteries like Hougham. Each one was called a "fortress." Each fortress had its own underground plotting room. At Hougham, there were three main gun positions. These were called No.1, No.2, and No.3 Gun emplacements.
Hougham Battery Today
Today, much of Hougham Battery is hidden. A new road, the A20, was built in the 1970s. This construction covered most of the battery with earth. So, you can't see much of it from the surface.
However, you can still visit some parts. It is possible to get into the underground plotting room. Some of the old observation posts are also still visible. These posts are on the very edge of the cliff. They offer great views of the coast.
Exploring the Area
The North Downs Way is a long walking path. It goes right over Round Down, which is part of the Dover Cliffs. This path runs between Folkestone and Dover. As you walk along this path, you will pass by several of the old observation posts from Hougham Battery. It's a great way to see a piece of history.
