This black and white photograph shows three workmen dismantilng a pill box. Two of the workmen are using pneumatic drills. These appear to be powered by the large generator visible to the right of the men. The image is a view northeast towards the Black Rock slopes beneath Marine Drive. During the early years of the Second World War, Britain was faced with the threat of German invasion. The British retreat from Dunkirk and the French surrender of June 1940 left the south coast dangerously exposed. Brighton's beaches were closed at 5pm on 2 July 1940, and defence measures were erected along the seafront. Mines were placed along the beach and barbed wire barricades protected the front. Following the success of the D-Day landings in June 1944, the threat of invasion was lifted. Work soon began to remove many of the beach defences. The Borough Surveyor's department oversaw this work, and took several photographs of the defences prior to their removal.
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