Fort Southwick is one of the five Palmerston Forts located atop of Portsdown hill, Portsmouth. Originally constructed in the 1870s, Southwick had a long period of military ownership, finally being sold in 2003. Underneath the Fort a large complex of tunnels was excavated and completed in 1942. The installation of radio communications, operation systems and accommodation led to the site becoming an important Navy UGHQ. Southwick played an important part in the planning and direction of Operation Overlord (or D Day). Furthermore after World War Two, Southwick continued to be used and was refurbished on two occasions, before finally closing in 1966.
After being sold by the MOD in 2003 a private company purchased the whole site. Games of 'air soft' are now run in the old UGHQ tunnels.
Thank you to UCAP airsoft for our visit.
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