The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall, Dorset.

ARTICLE · Dorset · England · United Kingdom

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

WW2 started with a devastating defeat for the allied armies in Europe. Once Poland, Czechoslovakia, Denmark & Norway were defeated, the German army then attacked, France, Holland and little Belgium. The size of the British Army in France and the low countries was about 390,000 strong (13 Divisions) plus an air component with a large amount of aircraft and men, many unlike the army, spread all over the North & East of France. A transport section supplying the forces with ports on the north and west coasts of France. Then the retreat from Dunkirk (at least 338,000 men of all countries escaped) and also more from ports around the rest of the French coast.

The German army was then ordered to plan for an attack on the south coast of England. The plan was called 'Operation Seelöwe'.

in Britain plans were drawn up for the whole country to defend its localities. Here to the north of the village of Sturminster Marshall is White Mill and the river bridge over the river Stour. The defence was to stop an enemy being able to cross the bridge coming up from the coast. This was an ideal way to bypass the anti-tank Islands of Blandford Forum and Wimborne Minster and taking an army north to Salisbury.

Wiki & my Archive

Calais area landing exercises with a tank.

Calais area landing exercises. There was also to be a thousands of horses used to draw guns and wagons as the German army were not as mechanised as the British were.

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

In a German bunker in Dieppe.

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

The answer to Operation Seelöwe was to defend Britain. Plans were drawn up for the whole country to defend its localities. Here to the north of the village of Sturminster Marshall is White Mill and the bridge over the river Stour. The defence was to stop an enemy being able to cross the bridge and advance north.

Dorset CC 1947

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

Part of the plan from Sturminster Marshall´s Village Archive.

WHC 1994 Sturminster Marshall Village Archive (Ken Hobbs)

The original Home Guard the LDV.
On 14th May, 1940, the Government broadcast a message asking for volunteers for the LDV (Local Defence Volunteers). — The original Home Guard the LDV. On 14th May, 1940, the Government broadcast a message asking for volunteers for the LDV (Local Defence Volunteers).

Home Guard.
On 23rd August, 1940, Winston Churchill changed the name of the LDV to the Home Guard. — Home Guard. On 23rd August, 1940, Winston Churchill changed the name of the LDV to the Home Guard.

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

The bridge over the Stour with a small pillbox to the left side.

27 March 2022

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

The pill box a Norcon variant with about five embrasures and a very small entrance at the rear.

27 March 2022

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

Norcon variant. Note the very small entrance. I am not at all sure which way this Norcon should face. To me it should face the village as I would presume an attack would come from the south. But we do not know what the thinking behind this defence as the pill box is just outside the defended area??

27 March 2022

The red square is the defended area and the red dot the pill box.

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

About five small embrasures just big enough for a rifle to poke through. Norcon Pill Box CP/6/40/111 from Spotters guide to Pill Boxes (Pillbox Study Group).

27 March 2022

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

The Bridge, a pack bridge with pedestrian refuges both sides. Norman bridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is probably the oldest bridge to cross the River Stour and the oldest bridge in Dorset. In 1341, three shillings were bequeathed for repair of the bridge.

27 March 2022

"Any person wilfully damaging any part of this County Bridge will be guilty of Felony and upon conviction liable to be Transported For Life by the court T Fooks"

The Defence of White Mill Bridge Sturminster Marshall

There was a a road block of two steels set into holes in the road. It seems the first ones were not strong enough and were replaced by bigger ones. there is a piece of concrete running across the road and just pokes out to the right side. This may be war time, it certainly looks it.

27 March 2022