HYTHE - THE HOME OF THE FLYING BOAT ON SOUTHAMPTON WATER

Today Hythe appears to be a sleepy backwater but this hides a proud history during World War 2 which is almost lost in the narrative of the day and has drawn criticism from some local residents. The most obvious omission is the British Power Boat Company located a stone's throw from the Hythe Pier owned by Hubert Scott-Paine. He did much to promote the role of the Motor Torpedo Boat MTB before moving to the United States where he is credited as the father of the PT (Patrol Torpedo) Boat. His company was instrumental in employing women to construct his fast patrol boats and he started an academy for training women boatbuilders at Marcwood Park now a hospital. Nearby is the present day Mounting Centre for the British Army called Marchwood Military Port. This was started during World War Two when Southampton was designated the Invasion Port and planners realised the scale of the naval armada needed for Operation Overlord. Marchwood Military Port has a tradition stretching from the assembly and construction of the Mulberry Harbour during World War Two to supporting troops in the Falklands War. Another location seemingly excluded from the historical narrative is the World War Two Vickers Supermarine Hangar adjacent to the old British Power Boat Company yard. Today it is the home of marine development specialising in racing yachts but the story goes back to the First World War when the so called 'Admiralty Shed', now a grade two listed building, was constructed to accommodate the wingspan of sea planes. Before World War Two it was used as the maintenance depot for Imperial Airways flying boats and during the conflict for secret flying operations behind enemy lines. This playlist seeks to balance the historical narrative by including locations around the Hythr area that otherwise might be forgotten.
#WWII #DDay #WorldWarTwo #Southampton #DDay77 #History #WWII #overlord #CoastalForces