THE pill box has been overlooking Crooklets beach for some 70 years, and, after being closed off due to vandalism for a time, it will now be re-opened as part of the commemorations and events for the Bude at War Heritage Weekend.

The Bude at War group of volunteers are busy making preparations for their Heritage Weekend on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17. Part of the plans for the weekend include opening up the pill box so that people can take a look inside.

The pill box is on National Trust land, and the organisation has kindly given permission for this special opening.

Jeff Cherrington, head ranger for the National Trust, said: “Lovely to be involved in this community event and really excited to think that we will be opening a World War Two pill box and be part of the living history of Bude.”

There are different opinions of the design of the pill box. The archaeologist from the National Trust believes it to be built to a German design and the purpose of it was to be used for the troops to practice assaulting the cliffs and an enemy pill box.

Its design would suggest that it would be for enfilade or flanking fire, which is when weapons are directed to fire along its longest axis. There are many questions about the pill box — will opening it uncover some secrets?

Mark Humphries is a member of the Cornwall Military Vehicle Trust and volunteer for the Bude at War team.

He said: “I’m really excited to get the chance to open the pill box up and stand in the footsteps of the men that led the D-Day assaults.”

The Bude at War event uniquely pays tribute to the thousands of young American troops on the 2nd battalion and 29th battalion US Rangers who were stationed in Bude specifically to train for the D-Day landings, and the assault on the cliffs on Ohama beach and Pointe du Hoc, where many then sadly lost their lives.

The free entry heritage event has been put together by a team of local volunteers, who are bringing in military vehicles, British and American encampments, a re-enactment of a D-Day beach assault, speeches from Eisenhower and Churchill look-alikes, code breaking and an enigma machine from Bletchley Park, a GI dance, a heritage trail through the town centre, children’s education packs, exhibitors and stalls, a Blitz shelter experience, vintage body boarding and much more.

Although the main event is free, programmes are available through the Bude & Stratton Post and people will need to purchase tickets for the GI dance and the enigma machine presentation talks.

For more details about the weekend, visit https://budeatwar.yolasite.com or Facebook, Bude at War — the Day the Americans Came