Lower Township near Cape May in Cape May County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The abrupt end of Fort Miles
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2010
1. The abrupt end of Fort Miles Marker
Inscription.
The abrupt end of Fort Miles. . The Army started dismantling Fort Miles before it was even finished – not in the face of enemy invasion but because advances in warfare made it instantly obsolete. In fact, as early as 1943, construction of the entire nationwide Harbor Defense Modernization Plan was suspended when it was only two-thirds completed. By 1943, the tide of war had shifted in our favor, removing the threat to our shores. However, the biggest shift occurred with the huge strides in amphibious warfare. From the Allied landings in North Africa in the Fall of 1942 to the D-Day landing in Normandy in June 1944, we learned how to land large armies on beaches that were far removed from harbor fortifications. These beach landings made all permanent fortifications, like Fort Miles, instantly obsolete.
The Army started dismantling Fort Miles before it was even finished – not in the face of enemy invasion but because advances in warfare made it instantly obsolete. In fact, as early as 1943, construction of the entire nationwide Harbor Defense Modernization Plan was suspended when it was only two-thirds completed. By 1943, the tide of war had shifted in our favor, removing the threat to our shores. However, the biggest shift occurred with the huge strides in amphibious warfare. From the Allied landings in North Africa in the Fall of 1942 to the D-Day landing in Normandy in June 1944, we learned how to land large armies on beaches that were far removed from harbor fortifications. These beach landings made all permanent fortifications, like Fort Miles, instantly obsolete.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1944.
Location. 38° 56.61′ N, 74° 58.017′ W. Marker is near Cape May, New Jersey, in Cape May County. It is in Lower Township. Marker is on Sunset Boulevard (County Route 606), on the left when traveling west. Marker is located near the World War II Lookout Tower. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape May NJ 08204, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The background of the marker contains a silhouette of the area showing Fire Control Tower No. 23 and a World War II soldier. Also present are two photographs of the Army making amphibious landings of troops and equipment.
Also see . . . Fort Miles website.(Submitted on August 27, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2010
2. Markers in Cape May
Several markers are found at this location. The "abrupt end of Fort Miles" marker is seen here on the right.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2010
3. The abrupt end of Fort Miles Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 18, 2010
4. Fire Control Tower No. 23
The marker is located at the base of this World War II lookout tower.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 769 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2010, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
