Reigate was an objective on the route toward London, with the surrounding hills and Box Hill forming part of its defended approaches. The area's forts are traced back to Napoleonic times in this account of Britain's long history of fortifying the countryside around the capital. Military canals and fortified lines provided obstacles beyond the city itself. Existing positions were dug in and, in some cases, obscured by vegetation. An invasion plan therefore had to account for these prepared approaches when estimating the speed of an advance on London.
Notable Point · 5:40-6:50
The Reigate objective and London's outer defenses
The advance toward Reigate would encounter defensive terrain and fortifications on London's southern approaches.