Lydden Spout Battery facts for kids
Lydden Spout Battery was a special fort built near Dover during World War II. Its main job was to protect the coast from enemy attacks. It was built in 1941, on the cliffs west of Dover, in a place called Lydden Spout.
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What Was Lydden Spout Battery?
Lydden Spout Battery was a coastal defence battery. This means it was a military site with big guns placed along the coast. Its purpose was to defend the land from attacks coming from the sea.
Protecting the Coastline
During World War II, Britain needed strong defences along its coast. Lydden Spout Battery was one of these important places. It was designed to stop enemy ships or landing craft from reaching the shore. The battery was built on high ground, giving its guns a clear view of the sea. Another similar battery, Fan Bay Battery, was built to the east of Dover.
Powerful Guns of the Battery
When it was first built, Lydden Spout Battery had three large guns. These were called 6-inch Mark VII naval guns. They were mounted on special stands called Mark V mountings. Later, these guns were upgraded to even more powerful ones. The new guns were known as Mark XXIV guns, but they still used the same Mark V mountings. These powerful guns could fire shells far out into the English Channel.
What Remains Today?
Today, most of Lydden Spout Battery has been taken down. Many of the original buildings have been demolished. The places where the big guns once stood have been filled with concrete. However, some parts of the battery still remain above ground. These include the buildings that were used for food and living. You can still see the Warrant Officer's Mess, the Sergeants Mess, the dining room, and the cook house. These buildings show us a small part of what the battery was like during the war. The battery is located south of the modern A20 highway.
