Plymouth's Military Heritage

Plymouth's history has been shaped by its strategic position on a natural harbour, with forts and naval docks built to defend the English fleet. It was a major embarkation point for British forces in both World Wars and was heavily targeted by the Luftwaffe. Devonport is still a major naval dockyard and home to the Royal Marines, Royal Artillery, and the Royal Navy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2024
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Plymouth's history has been shaped by its strategic location on England's south coast, with a natural harbor that has been a trading port since ancient times. Before the Romans arrived, forts were built on the shoreline and inland to protect the town. During the Hundred Years War, French raiders attacked Plymouth, leading to the construction of Plymouth Castle to defend the English fleet in Sutton Pool. Sir Francis Drake famously played bowls on Plymouth Hoe, waiting for the opportunity to attack the Spanish Armada. In the English Civil War, Plymouth was under siege and suffered significant destruction. In the seventeenth century, naval docks began to be built at Devonport, protected by the Breakwater, and inland, a ring of Palmerston forts was constructed. During the First and Second World Wars, Plymouth was a major embarkation point for British forces, with flying boats from Mount Batten. However, the city was heavily targeted by the Luftwaffe, resulting in significant destruction. Despite no longer being in the front line of war, Devonport remains a major naval dockyard, and the Royal Marines, Royal Artillery, and the Royal Navy are still stationed at HMS Drake and HMS Raleigh. Plymouth's Military Heritage is a fascinating aspect of the city's history that should be explored by anyone interested in military history.

Weight: 306g
Dimension: 234 x 165 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398120327