Tank Traps

These tank traps are left over from WW2 when the beach area was fortified against invasion. They now form the surrounding area of the car park. The surf club is seen in the distance.

[Sally Ings]

Quite a dramatic sky, lovely lighting

[AmyJ]

Very interesting history...

[Sam]

How interesting - I thought they were big sand castles heheheh

[Leana Niemand]

Facinating. I also thought the were sand castles.

[sally agnew]

Interesting history Babs, I did not know they existed. Love the lighting :)

[ShirleyB]

Had no idea what they could be so thanks for the explanation, very interesting. Lovely shot of these unusual structures.

[Wylie]

nasty! what a strange find.

[Elaine]

Great shot Babs, nice time of day. Is this Anna Bay?

[Denise Wood]

Fascinating :)

[Poppo Livy]

Don't mention the war Babs

[Babs]

@salza @basqgirl @gigiflower @leananiemand @hermann @shirleybankfarm @pusspup @elaine55 @gilbertwood @terryliv Thanks everyone. Just along the beach from here there are the remains of a plane, in among the sand dunes. http://365project.org/onewing/365/2014-07-03
This beach was used by RAAF Williamtown as a bombing range in the 1950s.
Occasionally bombs turn up too after severe storms when the sand has shifted.
Yes Elaine, this is Anna Bay, at Birubi Beach.
Oops sorry Terry.

[Annie D]

Very atmospheric Babs

[bkb in the city]

Very interesting that they were never removed

[Danny G.]

Very interesting that they are still there and being recycled. Nice shot.

[Chris K]

how interesting. didnt know there were such things still there

[Heather Colgate]

Very dramatic, good shot

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Very interesting, Babs. Wonderful capture.

[Sylvia du Toit]

Thanks for sharing.

[gloria jones]

Great shot, composition

[Lady Magpie (Heather)]

Interesting, I will put my tank back in the garage. Lovely capture.

[Margaret Brown]

A very atmospheric capture, they look as if they could do quite a bit of damage even in this day and age!!

[Hazel]

At first I thought they were giant salt heaps, such as we saw in s.w. France, and then when I read your text I thought of the maginot line.

[Pat Knowles]

Did they think the area would be invaded Babs.....I know north Australia was in danger of invasion by Japan but didn't thing your southern area were worried about invasion....interesting photo.

[Taffy]

Your narrative was helpful to understanding the little castle like sand formations. The whole photo is fascinating with the contrast of sand cones and the structure in the distance.

[M0ments in time]

They look very effective too

[Lois]

Cool shot and history!

[Babs]

@annied @bkbinthecity @soboy5 @cruiser @bugsy @mittens @sdutoit @seattlite @taffy @mbmomentsintime @loweygrace Thanks everyone.

[Babs]

@ladymagpie Wise move Heather. The RAAF Base is close by and they could still bomb this area.

[Babs]

@craftymeg I think you are right. The occasional car still backs into the tank traps.

[Babs]

@quietpurplehaze @happypat This stretch of beach goes from Anna Bay where this is to Newcastle about 32 km away and Newcastle is industrial like the Newcastle in the UK. A Japanese submarine was spotted off Newcastle apparently during the war so this part of Australia had to be defended.
This picture http://365project.org/onewing/365/2015-08-30 is of one of the torpedo launching ramps at Shoal Bay which was also defended. The ramp pointing through The Heads.

[Debbie]

Fabulous Shot Babs, and very interesting history. I've been to Newcastle a couple of times and have never seen these.

[Babs]

@deborah63 These tank traps are at Birubi Beach, Anna Bay, about 50 km from Newcastle.

[Marnie]

Golly Babs, I didn't know anything about these things. Great shot, thanks for sharing the history.

[Valerie Chesney]

So intruiging , a super shot & info...

[Paula W]

Very interesting history. The sky adds drama to the shot.

[Gillian]

So intersting as background to ww2. sometimes one forgets how close it really was.

[Jane Morley]

I was going to ask where, but now I know!