Letter: Pier group and the enemy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE IDEA that invading Germans might tunnel their way to Kent ('The threat of Hitler's tunnel vision', 31 July) was preceded in 1940 by the suggestion that they could land at the various seaside piers around our coastlines, especially those on the east and south coasts. Thus the order went out for them to be sectioned, rendering them immobilised in the event of an attack.
Piers on the west coast fared better, despite a recommendation from Admiral Sir Frederick C Dreyer that most should also be breached. There's an interesting story to explain why the Blackpool piers escaped sectioning. Apparently it was proposed, and someone said in reply that he wouldn't mind the Germans landing on their piers. All they'd have to do would be to place guns at the entrances and shoot the enemy when he arrived]
Apocryphal or not, Blackpool piers thrive today, unlike some that gradually decayed.
Tim Mickleburgh
National Piers Society
Slade Green, Kent
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments