World War II Weymouth

Weymouth in World War II, like the rest of the south coast of England was within easy striking distance of the Nazi forces across the channel. The channel islands having already been occupied, Weymouth during WW2 along with the rest of the South coast was on high alert. The Weymouth of WW2 was therefore very different to the holiday resort we see today. WW2 Weymouth lost that happy, jolly holiday atmosphere it enjoyed of the earlier decades. During the war, popular Weymouth holiday favourites such as the sandy beach would be fortified with barbed wire placed along it to protect against a potential Nazi invasion. Traditional seaside arcades would be closed due to the lack of tourist activity, anti aircraft guns would be placed in strategic positions throughout the town and hotels and guesthouses closed their doors to guests 'for the duration'. The happy Weymouth holiday resort became a town prepared for invasion.

The Nothe Fort in World War II

The Nothe fort being the most heavily fortified building in the town and in such a strategic position was an important defence for Weymouth in WW2. During world war II, the Nothe Fort was adapted to be used for anti aircraft activities and a huge anti aircraft gun was placed upon the ramparts. A restored anti aircraft gun from the period can be found on the Nothe Fort ramparts to this day and from this point you can take in some of the fantastic panoramic views across Weymouth, Portland and the coasts towards Lulworth.

WW2 Weymouth Bombing

With both Weymouth harbour and the larger Portland harbour being used by the military during the war, Weymouth was a regular target of Luftwaffe bombs throughout the war. Particularly heavy bombing through 1940, 1941 and 1942 destroyed many Weymouth houses and killed many residents. The area of Weymouth known as Chapelhay was especially heavily hit during the war and a number of houses were destroyed and demolished. the Nothe Fort tells the story of the Chapelhay bombing with a recreated scene of one of the bombed out houses and rescue taking you back to one of the darkest days of Weymouth WW2 history through sight and sound.

Weymouth Billeting, evacuees and D-Day Weymouth harbour activities

Despite the bombings, WW2 Weymouth was still considerably safer than London and other big cities and WW2 Weymouth therefore took in a number of evacuees as well as becoming a billeting town for American soldiers during the build-up to D-Day. Boats from both Weymouth harbour and Portland sailed to Normandy for the invasion.

Weymouth Home Guard

Weymouth in World War II, like many towns in England developed a force of Local Defence Volunteers, later to become the Home Guard. Being on the south coast and likely to be on the front line should the Nazi's invade, the Weymouth Home Guard would have been expected to defend Weymouth beach and harbour against the invading troops as best they could with the weapons and training provided giving the regular troops some time to organise a counter attack. Apart from this, Weymouth Home Guard forces would have guarded munition factories and taken part in training exercises aimed at defending the town should the need occur. Fortunately, the Home Guard was never called upon as Hitler opened up the Eastern Front rather than attempting an invasion across the channel. If however an invasion had occurred, the Weymouth Home Guard, along with Home Guard forces up and down the country would have been ready and alert to defend Weymouth in World War II.

More Weymouth WW2 History

For more Weymouth WW2 history, visit the fantastic Nothe Fort in Weymouth where you can find out all about the history of Weymouth in World War II from torpedos, the D-Day landings and Dunkirk during which many local Weymouth small ships helped in the rescue. Anti aircraft guns on the ramparts protected Weymouth from bombing in WW2.