DEFENDING NORFOLK The Military Landscape from Prehistory to the Present

Norfolk’s status, in mediaeval times, as one of England’s wealthiest and most populous counties, is reflected in the variety of defensible structures crowding its landscape. Vulnerable to invasion across the North Sea, by Romans and Vikings, the Spanish Armada and Napoleon, and in more recent times, Norfolk has always defended its coastline. Features in Norfolk of two world wars, were renewed anti-invasion defences, the evolution of military flight, the Navy’s safeguarding of shipping, air-defence measures, the training of troops and airmen, and the provision of a platform for retaliatory bombing. Through its defensive screen of radar and antiaircraft missiles, and elements of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, Norfolk was placed in the front line of the Cold War.