Selsey in the Second World War
Coastal defences, Mulberry harbours and the home front
Selsey's exposed position on the south coast made it a front-line location during the Second World War, and the town's contribution to the war effort, particularly the testing of Mulberry harbour components, gives it a place in the story of D-Day that is not widely known.
The coastal defences were the most visible sign of the war. Concrete pillboxes, anti-tank obstacles and barbed wire were installed along the beaches from Selsey Bill to Pagham Harbour. Observation posts were established on the headland, and the local Home Guard patrolled the shore watching for any sign of German invasion. The beaches, normally the domain of fishermen and holidaymakers, became military zones.
The most significant wartime activity at Selsey was the testing of components for the Mulberry harbours. These prefabricated floating harbours, one of the most ambitious engineering projects of the war, were designed to be towed across the English Channel and assembled off the Normandy beaches to support the D-Day landings. Huge concrete caissons, known as Phoenix units, were constructed at various sites around the south coast and tested in the shallow waters off Selsey.
The waters around Selsey Bill were chosen for testing because of the relatively shallow, sheltered conditions and the distance from major population centres, which reduced the risk of the secret operation being observed. The Phoenix units were enormous structures, up to 60 metres long, which were designed to be sunk in rows to form breakwaters for the temporary harbours. Testing at Selsey assessed the buoyancy, stability and towing characteristics of the units before they were committed to the Channel crossing.
Some of the Phoenix units remain visible at low tide off the Selsey coast, embedded in the seabed where they were left after testing or during transit. These concrete structures are a tangible and poignant reminder of the preparations for the liberation of Europe. They are popular with divers and are occasionally visible from the shore at very low tides.
The town experienced occasional bombing raids during the war, though it was not a primary target. The drone of aircraft heading for and returning from raids across the Channel was a constant background to daily life. The fishing fleet continued to operate where possible, providing essential food for the community and the wider population at a time of strict rationing.
The war memorial in Selsey records the names of those from the town who gave their lives. Remembrance Sunday services at the memorial are well attended by the community, and the sacrifice of the wartime generation is honoured with solemnity and respect.