Two Second World War embarkation hards located near Stade Court and the Imperial Hotel in Hythe (TR 168 342). They were 4-berth hards that were built between 1942 and 1943 for landing craft carrying troops (LCT). They were controlled by Dover Command. Further embarkation hards for Dover Command were located in Deal near South Street, Granville Street and the Swimming Baths (TR 377 544), with a further one near Cambridge Road (TR 381 485), and a one at the Lifeboat Station in Hythe (TR 157 339). A further five sites at Dover, two sites at Hastings and one at Folkestone have not been traced. Embarkation hards were built by the Admiralty as part of Operation Overlord to load landing vessels in preparation for D-Day and the invasion of occupied Europe. A total of 68 individual hards were constructed between 1942 and 1944 across the southern coast of England in every county between Suffolk and Cornwall. There were two types of embarkation hards: LCT hards for landing crafts for troops and LST hards for landing ships carrying tanks. A standard hard consisted of a rectangular concrete apron that sloped down into the water, which was equipped with steel framed mooring points (known as dolphins) to moor the vessels during loading. Hard sites included access roads to link the hards to public highways, approach roads to accommodate the concentrated heavy traffic and transit areas for marshalling troops, vehicles and equipment. Accommodation and ancillary buildings at hard sites would include offices for embarkation staff; a central control room; a workshop for maintenance crew; stores; a watch hut and a latrine. Sites were also fitted with fuel, lighting and utilities. (1) The embarkation hard near Stade Court (NR1) referred to in Source 1, has now been described separately in record Monument Number 1535881 and was located at TR 16288 34120. (2) The embarkation hard described above (Source 1) at the Imperial Hotel, is visible on aerial photographs and has been mapped as part of the South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey NMP. The embarkation hard was located near the Imperial Hotel at the west end of Princess Parade, Hythe and centred at TR 116794 34302. The embarkation pier extended from TR 16797 34293 inland to TR 16815 34242 seawards. The concrete platform behind it measured 57meters by 34meters. The embarkation hard was subsequently removed on aerial photographs taken in 1959. (3-4)

<1> Twentieth century fortifications in England, volume 5. Operation Overlord : embarkation works for the invasion of occupied Europe, 1942-44, pp 6,9,11,14,16,32 (Unspecified Type). SWX23708.

<2> RCHME/EH Aerial Photographers Comment (Unspecified Type). SWX23671.

<3> Vertical aerial photograph reference number (Unspecified Type). SWX23955.

<4> Vertical aerial photograph reference number (Unspecified Type). SWX23873.