The Fortifications of Gibraltar 1068–1945

by Fa, Darren; Finlayson, Clive; Hook, Adam

• ISBN13: 9781846030161
• ISBN10: 1846030161
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-31
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

The military history of Gibraltar is complex and varied, lying as it does at the gateway to the Mediterranean and the meeting points of the continents of Europe and Africa. From the Islamic invasions of Spain in the 8th Century to the base for Mediterranean Task force H in World War II, 'the Rock' has played a significant part in the military history of Europe over hundreds of years. Yet, Gibraltar is not only a prime example of a fortress, but it also contains a unique record of the evolution of fortifications and associated defences spanning over six hundred years. This book covers the fascinating history of the fortifications on Gibraltar and the development of the sites into what they are today.

Author Biography

Darren Fa was born in Gibraltar 1966. Darren is a member of the Fortress Study Group, The Ordnance Society and the Coast Defence Study Group. Deputy Director of the Gibraltar museum, he has also prepared numerous papers, articles and talks on Gibraltar's local and natural history, and is co-editor of Gibraltar Heritage, a bi-annual magazine.
Clive Finlayson was born in Gibraltar in 1955. Educated at Gibraltar Grammar School, he completed a BSc at the University of Liverpool, UK, and went on to obtain a DPhil from the University of Oxford. A former managing director of the Gibraltar Tourism Agency, in 1991 Clive became Director of the Gibraltar Museum. The author lives in Gibraltar.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Gibraltar's defences	p. 4
Chronology	p. 9
Islamic Gibraltar	p. 11
The Spanish defences	p. 17
The 18th-century British fortifications and the Great Siege	p. 23
'Strong as the Rock': Gibraltar and the British Empire	p. 31
The 100-ton gun
The 9.2in. guns
The development of the Naval Yard
The construction of the Dockyard
Construction of the moles
The 20th century and the two World Wars	p. 45
Force H and Operation Pedestal
The tunnels and the airfield
Aftermath	p. 53
The sites today: Information for the visitor	p. 54
Bibliography	p. 60
Glossary	p. 61
Index	p. 64
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