Aerial photographs of Sussex taken by the US air force during the Second World War have been opened to the public for the first time.

Some 3,600 images were taken by the photographic reconnaissance units of the US Army Air Forces, stationed at bases across England in 1943 and 1944.

The photos captured anti-tank defences surrounding the ancient Cissbury Ring Iron Age hillfort in Worthing, where ditches and concrete cubes were seen laid out to impede an enemy advance.

Another photograph of Worthing Pier, taken in April 1944, also showed part of its decking removed to make an enemy landing by German forces more difficult.

The Argus: Decking from Worthing Pier was removed during the war to make an enemy landing more difficultDecking from Worthing Pier was removed during the war to make an enemy landing more difficult (Image: Historic England Archive (USAAF photography))

Images from across Sussex also show in extraordinary detail vast swathes of Sussex, including Littlehampton, Chichester, Haywards Heath, Crowborough and Seaford.

In one image from April 1944, planes can be spotted around Shoreham Airport to the west of Brighton.

Squadrons from the Free French forces gathered at the airport that month, along with British Spitfires, to support preparations for the Normandy invasion two months later.

The selection of photographs provide a unique birds-eye view of the nation as it changed during the war, including bomb damage towns and cities, such as Old Trafford football stadium in Greater Manchester.

The collection, which capture locations in an “astonishing level of detail”, has been made available to the public for the first time in an online searchable map on the Historic England Archive.

The Argus: Anti-tank defences surrounded Cissbury Ring Iron Age hillfort in Worthing to impede an enemy advanceAnti-tank defences surrounded Cissbury Ring Iron Age hillfort in Worthing to impede an enemy advance (Image: Historic England Archive (USAAF Photography))

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “Our USAAF Collection records changes taking place in England as a result of the Second World War, as well as capturing fascinating incidental detail, like American troops playing baseball.

“Our collection of USAAF wartime photographs were taken in England by the pilots and aircraft of squadrons that provided intelligence for the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.

“This came at a cost, with many pilots killed in the line of duty.

“We are making these images available to the public for the first time online, giving people access to this remarkable collection of historic photographs.

“They help to highlight the vital role aerial reconnaissance played in the Second World War.”