Hurst Green

 

Warren Lane

PLUTO (end of line in Tandridge) For the invasion of Europe on D-Day, 6 June 1944 it was necessary to provide the tens of thousands of vehicles landed on the beaches on Normandy in the first few days with large quantities of fuel. In preparation for this, flexible 3 inch diameter pipes were invented which could be fabricated in lengths sufficient to, be laid like submarine cables across the channel in a few hours. The routes across the English Channel are from the Isle of Wight to Cherbourg and from Dungeness to Boulogne. The military code name for the system was PLUTO-PiPe Line Under the Ocean.  The fuel to the English terminals was provided by underground pipelines along which petroleum, from principally Avonmouth in the west of England, could be pumped. The route to Dungeness passes through Tandridge District and some of it is very easy to trace. It is marked with characteristic concrete posts which are generally painted white. To the untutored eye they resemble neglected fence posts. Otherwise they are immediately recog- nisable. In the event PLUTO was not available for D-Day but had to await the fall of Cherbourg. It was not therefore in position until 41 days after D-Day. The lines to Boulogne were not in operation until almost 1945 and played no  part at all in the actual invasion. In 1993 the pipe-lines for PLUTO was still in use but an ESSO underground pipe line had also been laid across Tandridge.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bromley by Bow

Post to the west (north west quarter) Mile End Post to the west (north east quarter) Post to the east Bromley by Bow Post to the north Old Ford Addington Road Addington Arms . Pub dating from the 1860s. It does not appear to be still there. Police stables . From 1938 twenty horses were located here. These stables were built in moderne style white concrete by police surveyor Gilbert Mackenzie Trench. There is a stable at the back as well as tack rooms and a chimney for the forge – there was a full time farrier. Above are two flats for married police officers. The white concrete wall is original.  Alfred Street 1-5 Inland Revenue Office . Sold off 1981. Has been used as a college an as offices Almshouses Way, This was once called Priscilla Street.  1 Drapers' Almshouses . These were built in 1706.  What remains is a brick group of four tenements with central raised and pedimented chapel. They were restored in 1982 but were originally part of a larger group funded by
Read more

South Norwood

Post to the south Woodside Post to the east Birkbeck Post to the north Anerley Albert Road This road is the earliest built here, first listed in 1855, and although the Croydon Canal was no longer in use it influenced the alignment of the road. From the junction with Portland Road looking the curve of the road reflects the line of the old canal which was to the north of the houses. It is named after Albert, the Prince Consort. 74-76 Stanleybury . Very large three-storey semis. Built for William Stanley, who moved to 74 in 1867. William Stanley’s works in South Norwood was complimented by his local philanthropy. His site is now a close of modern flats. Accidentally demolished. 67 small trading estate and MOT centre .  At one time this was home to a theatre transport specialist. St.Mark . This was the first church in the area and is the parish church by G. H. Lewis. The nave was built in 1852 and the church was extended in 1862 and in successive years until 1890. It is in Kentis
Read more

River Lea/Bow Creek Canning Town

River Lea/Bow Creek The Lea winds itself generally southwards towards the Thames TQ 39505 81448 Canning Town on the Essex bank of Lea/Bow Creek. This was, and is, a heavily industrialised area together with a very down market housing area with markets, shops, cinemas, pubs and many charitable and missionary organisations. In the 2000s public transport has been transformed and much housing renewed, and it is an area in a great deal of change. Post to the west Poplar Post to the south Leamouth   and Dome Post to the east Canning Town, Butchers Road Post to the north West Ham Station Appleby Road The road is named after a local ARP warden who was killed during the Blitz. A pre-war suburban ideal is demonstrated in this West Ham estate. Barking Road It was built by the Commercial Road Turnpike Trust from the East India Docks eastwards. Now the A124 it formed part of the original A13 before the building so the East Ham  and Barking Bypass in 1928. It was widened as part o
Read more