Landguard Fort facts for kids
Landguard Fort is an old military fort located at the mouth of the River Orwell. It stands near Felixstowe in Suffolk, England. Its main job was to protect the river entrance from invaders. Today, a charity called English Heritage looks after the fort, and you can visit it to explore its history.
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Building Landguard Fort
The very first defenses at this spot were built around 1540. They were simple earthworks and a small blockhouse. Later, in 1621, King James I ordered a stronger fort to be built. This new fort was square-shaped with strong corners called bulwarks.
The Dutch Attack of 1667
In 1667, something exciting happened! The Dutch, led by Michiel de Ruyter, tried to invade. They landed about 2,000 soldiers on Felixstowe beach. These soldiers marched towards Landguard Fort.
But the fort was ready! Nathaniel Darrel and his small group of 400 musketeers (early Royal Marines) and 100 artillerymen fought back. They had 54 cannons. The Dutch attack was stopped, and they had to retreat. This battle is known as the Battle of Landguard Fort.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, Landguard Fort was updated many times.
- In 1717, a new battery (a place for cannons) was added.
- A completely new fort was started in 1745. It had a five-sided shape with strong bastions.
- More batteries were built in the 1750s and 1780s.
The biggest changes happened in the 1870s. The buildings inside the fort where soldiers lived were rebuilt. New defenses were added along the river, including a special covered passage called a caponier.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the fort was even considered part of Essex. Records show that births and deaths there were listed under 'Landguard Fort, Essex'.
Landguard Fort in Wartime
During the Napoleonic Wars (early 1800s), the fort was very important. Its strength helped protect the area. Supplies and ammunition were moved to nearby Harwich for safety.
In the Second World War, Landguard Fort played a unique role. It was one of the places where Operation Outward was launched. This project involved sending thousands of free-flying hydrogen balloons towards Germany. These balloons carried either fire-starting devices or long steel wires to damage power lines. This happened between 1942 and 1944.
The fort and nearby areas were used for several important tasks:
- It was the main control center for the big guns protecting Harwich Harbour. By 1941, several powerful guns were ready on the Landguard Peninsula.
- It served as a control room for anti-aircraft guns defending the Harwich-Ipswich area.
- It was a naval signal station, controlling ships moving in and out of Harwich Harbour.
- It was a remote control station for defensive minefields in the harbor entrance.
People watching from the top of Landguard Fort saw many air raids, German ships laying mines, shipwrecks, and plane crashes. In 1944, the fort's guns even fired at what they thought were German mini-submarines in the harbor. Later that year, Allied landing ships loaded up nearby for important missions.
The Army finally left Landguard Fort in 1957.
Visiting Landguard Fort Today
Today, Landguard Fort has been repaired and made safe. It is now looked after by English Heritage and is open for everyone to visit. You can explore its old walls and learn about its long history.
See also
- Governor of Landguard Fort
- Walton Castle, Suffolk
