Bolingbroke Bridge, as a very obvious diversion from the major roadblock at Sarre Bridge on Island Road, was prepared for demolition in the event of an invasion, by the Royal Engineers early in 1940. This was a small bridge on Old Road, north of Sarre Ferry Cottage. It was one of numerous bridges ‘known collectively as the ‘Thanet Bridges’ - along a defensive Grid Line based on the Rivers Wantsum and Stour. Unlike other bridges along this grid line, this bridge was actually demolished - by a charge laid in its western abutment - perhaps early in 1941. By mid August 1941 the bridge defences had been augmented by a string of pipe mines, probably flanking the bridge on its north-east side. These comprised pipes filled with explosive and driven into the ground at an angle to the horizontal. They were connected together in series and, on detonation in the event of an invasion, would cause a series of craters forming a continuous anti-tank obstacle.
Owner : Public
Publicly accessible : Yes
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : Destroyed
Date of visit :

43 Division General Staff, 01/01/41, War Diary 43 Division General Staff (Unpublished document). SKE15352.

43 Division General Staff, 01/01/41, War Diary 43 Division General Staff (Unpublished document). Ske15352.

49 Battalion Royal Tanks Regiment, 01/01/41, War Diary 49 Battalion Royal Tanks Regiment 1941 (Unpublished document). SKE15353.

49 Battalion Royal Tanks Regiment, 01/01/41, War Diary 49 Battalion Royal Tanks Regiment 1941 (Unpublished document). Ske15353.

Corps Royal Engineers 44 Division, 01/01/41, War Diary Corps Royal Engineers 44 Division 1941 (Unpublished document). SKE15351.

Corps Royal Engineers 44 Division, 01/01/41, War Diary Corps Royal Engineers 44 Division 1941 (Unpublished document). Ske15351.