None of these defences were expected to repel a sustained attack; but the line was reinforced in places by ‘strongholds’ manned by units of the regular army. The second function of the ‘Stop Line’ was to delay yet further any mobile columns once they had broken through the beach defences. To achieve this result Road Blocks and small forts were positioned at key junctions, bridges, etc. So, for example, enemy troops reaching the summit of Borstal Hill would come under fire from the fort still existing at the crossroads adjacent to the ‘Long Reach’. Likewise, enemy troops attempting to break through the barrier created by the railway embankment at Swalecliffe, would be met by fire from the Road Block, which stood by the railway arch.
The Forts or ’Pill Boxes’ in and around Whitstable were of two designs; both based upon a type officially designated FH/24. They were hexagonal with one side, that having the entrance, being longer. The difference between them was in the thickness of walls and roof. One gave protection from light arms fire only, while the other could resist a six inch shell. Both had a garrison of eight men and firing positions for five Bren Guns and two Rifles. Type ‘A’ in the illustration has 15 inches of reinforced concrete in walls and roof. Type ‘B’ has walls of 4ft.3 inches made up of reinforced concrete between a brickwork lining. The roof is 2ft.6 inches of reinforced concrete. Both examples have the ‘Y‘ shaped brick wall in the interior giving added protection from blast.
