Hastings Pier in Wartime–Second World War

Taken, with permission, from http://www.pillbox.org.uk/pillblogs/detail.asp?ID=370

Demolition preparations, May 1940
It wasn't until 10th May, 1940 that the Sussex coastline found itself potentially on the front line as the Germans launched their offensive in France and the Low Countries.

The earliest mention of the piers is in reference to their partial demolition on 13th May, when a report on Eastbourne, St. Leonards and Hastings Piers was compiled by a Royal Engineers field company based at Robertsbridge.

The reason for the proposed demolition was simple; in the event of invasion, it was feared that the Germans might try and use the piers to disembark troops and supplies from their ships.

The Germans, of course, were well aware of the piers;

Belts of Dannert wire were erected at the pier heads as the work in placing explosive charges theoretically proceeded; Eastern Command stipulated that one bay below low tide level and one above high tide should be removed.  The plan at this time was not to blow the charges immediately, but within three hours of the invasion warning being received.

Then, on 22nd May, the preparations were thrown into confusion as the Admiralty got involved.  As the Royal Navy was responsible for all defensive matters below high water mark, it was held that the demolitions were under its control.  Having been given orders by the Senior Naval Officer at Newhaven, the RE Company Commander reported his concerns to his Divisional superior, who promptly countermanded the Navy's orders.  The RE were not to undertake the demolitions on the Navy's orders, but, when required, the work was to be done by civilian contractors under RE supervision.

The following day the situation changed again, and the engineers were instructed to begin preparations; the orders for demolition were written out; the army would be responsible for ordering the ultimate blowing of the charges.

Explosives were collected and the RE finally set to work; at 18:30 on 24th May, the Brighton pier demolition charges were reported as completed.  At 06:00 the following day, the piers at Eastbourne, St. Leonards and Hastings were also ready for "hasty demolition."

Then on 27th May, the situation changed yet again; the detonators and explosives were to be removed from the piers!  This was because it was expected that the British Expeditionary Force would use the piers to disembark troops from the evacuation of Dunkirk.

The Dunkirk evacuation ended on 4th June without the Sussex piers being used.