Series: Dr Philip R Rowe unpublished report series

Summer 1940 saw the construction of a countrywide anti-invasion network to repel the expected 'blitzkrieg', consisting of a series of defensive layers, starting with the Royal Navy and ending inland with Stop Lines. However, the following question 'Would the Stop Line linear defences have halted an invasion force? has never been addressed. With success or failure purely speculative and one that cannot be answered for certain as no invasion took place, conclusions drawn from documentary / archaeological evidence suggest the strategic positioning of the Stop Line Green around Bristol, would have had limited success in stopping an invasion force. Aerial photographic (AP), cartographic and GIS visual analysis demonstrate the defences were adequately camouflaged from aerial reconnaissance and ground forces, with pillboxes utilizing the Wellow Brook valley, suggesting good strategic use of topography. AP comparisons emphasize changes in land usage, with many hedge lines disappearing. These topographic features when reviewing defensive tactics were important in 1940, channelling enemy armour along predicted fortified routes, rather than across open fields. 3D cartographic evidence substantiates the notion that good use of the local landscape was made, providing concealment for strongpoints and protection from aerial / artillery bombardment. Using a raster based line-of-sight map (viewshed) of the given defences, visibility analysis demonstrates that the fields of view / fire afforded to the defences were good, verifying the notion of a strategic use of topographical features. Calculated distances between pillboxes and viewshed coverage support this, with crucial roads / river crossings within effective small arms range.

In order to enhance the SMR entry, the site was surveyed in October 2004 as part of the MA course in Landscape Archaeology.

A RM15 Resistance Survey was undertaken to establish the whereabouts of two believed previously destroyed gatehouses.

Two Resistance Surveys were undertaken late February 2015 in the vicinity of Royal Fort House, Clifton, Bristol (ST 582 733) ahead of a proposed installation of a garden feature, total area 20m x 40m (one x two 20m² grids) per survey, on behalf of the External Estates Department, University of Bristol.

Commissioned to survey areas within / around Berkeley Castle, a total of four locations - Nelmes Paddock, Jenner Museum and Gardens, Little Park / Castle Worthy (Longbridge) and Quarf Mead /Home Ground, were subsequently surveyed over a three week period, late May /early June 2006.

A RM15 Resistance Survey ahead of planned excavations in June 2015 on Brandon Hill.

Detailed to survey an area in the vicinity of Warmley (Tower) Grotto, Warmley near Bristol, a grid area totalling 20m x 20m (1 x 20m²) was surveyed in July 2009.

Commissioned by External Estates Dept, University of Bristol, a RM15 resistance survey, total area 30m x 60m (2 x 30m² grids), was completed July 2014 providing constructive geophysical raw data that can assist the archaeological knowledge of the site.