Battle over Portsmouth

During the tumultuous months of 1940, Portsmouth was mutilated by some of the fiercest air raids experienced outside London and, at the same time, was subjected to the threat of invasion and uncertainties of the Battle of Britain. The effects of these events on the city made an important chapter in its history. Amongst the many lesser known controversial stories of those perilous times is the scheme to illuminate Hayling Island at night as a decoy for Portsmouth.