Ashley Walk Range info needed

Do not trundle down to the local police station with it in your car boot – they will not thank you.

Go to them or ring them and tell them you have it – they will notify the appropriate people who will come and collect it in a suitable container.

In the meantime keep it as far as possible away from your (or anyone elses ) house.

After the war vast quantities of the surplus ordnance that was deemed unstable for storage or surplus to requirements, were destroyed on bombing ranges, incendiaries are one example. White phos and thermite bombs were piled up and detonated using a booster charge to initiate the explosion.( Just as they still do in Iraq and in Stan) This method was used all over Europe to destroy ammunition stocks. Although the incendiary you have is corroded and looks harmless, it is possible it still contains a live detonator and these are capable of blowing a hand clean off, that wouldnt be good!

Hi all, first i must say thanks to you all for the info and replys! great forum!!
So is it dead? its done its bit? or still dangerous???
Thanks guy,s
LW

ALWAYS assume it is still live. you don’t want it going of in your hands! Best way is to bring it to the police or bomb squad or something in your area. Old munitions become unstable over time and can be VERY dangerous.

So is it a deaden or still dangerous??

Hi all, first i must say thanks to you all for the info and replys! great forum!!
So is it dead? its done its bit? or still dangerous???
Thanks guy,s
LW

I believe that the black and white footage of a Mosquito dropping a “Highball” bomb on land which appears early on in the film “Mosquito Squadron” was shot at this bombing range and is genuine archive footage from WW2.

Colin

4lb incendiary

Hi LW1959

There isn’t a thinner end to the bomb; it is the same diameter throughout. I think you must be referring to the striker housing (which is screwed into the bomb), this is normally covered by the tail, which is not show. The tail would add another 30cm to the overall height of the bomb. This bomb has a two minute delay and would burn for around 10 minutes.

Hi Ollie

Hi Ollie,
Whats the thinner end like ? cant see it that well ! is it threaded ?
Where did you find it ?
Thanks
LW

4lb Incendiary bomblet

Thanks to you all so far!

Great thanks for info,and the pictures! what does the writing say on the panel any idea ? cant read the small print !
How do i know if its live ? any ideas?( Dont worry im not daft its down bottom of garden away from house):D
LW

I would definately get that checked out and diposed off if necessary! Never disturb any old munitions unless your are trained to do so!

Hi – it’s definately an incendiary.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/75644044@N00/3517864335/

Hi Anon

Hi thanks for that, what would of been on the other END ? It looks like something has broken off any idea what ?
Also they were not allowed to drop incendiarys because of forest fires! as said in the book on the range!
Do you have any pictures to prove its a incendiary ? As i havent beenable to find any on internet!
Thanks
LW

Item i/d

Yes,

That’s a British, wartime incendiary bomb.

Normally packed in canisters which were then loaded into the aircraft. The hex steel end acted like a noseweight when it fell free.

The casing is probably magnesium and inside there was a (thermite?) charge which started it burning. Looks like you have the noseweight and case but not sure if it’s a dud or misfire. Might be worth getting it checked out to be safe – and store it in the garden, not under yer bed!

Anon.

Found on Ashley Walk Bombing Range! Anyone know what it is?

Hi again,
Two more pictures inclosed
Thanks
LW

Found on Ashley Walk Bombing Range! Anyone know what it is?

Hi,i found this at Ashley walk Bombing Range in a crater! does anyone know what it is please?
Its got a metal end like a nut (as in nut and bolt) the white/grey part is something like asbestos material, and the browny material inside is very hard!
I thought it might be a mortar! but the only mortars ive seen have a fin shape tail ! Let me know if you need anymore info !
(Two pictures in this post and two pictures in next post as had trouble loading more than two pictures at one time)
Hope you can help
LW

Hi Paul

The photos on the site posted by wieesso are fairly recent, March 2005 IIRC, with some diagrams showing where the old target walls were situated. There is just an observation hut still standing and I believe the old U-Boat pens are still standing but they ended up being just buried after modern explosives failed to knock them down. A lot of the old structures were either knocked over and buried or broken up and used for the foundation of the M27 motorway.

We are taking the cadets to the area in about mid August time but I will be doing a recce before then so I will try to get some pics

Martin

Ashley Walk Bombing Range

Hi t r

I too have a soft back book about the range, published by one of the locally based publishers. My memory says must have been published pre-2002, but my memory is frequently wrong :o. It may perhaps have bene an earlier print of the same book pogno mentioned earlier?

It has lots of info on the various targets used within the range, some of the larger concreet structures still remain IIRC, and it also carried a detailled maps/aerial photos of the site, showing the perimeter fence, access gate points etc.

Last time I checked some aerial photos (possibly on G. Earth) the “pond” that formed in the crater left by the live Grand Slam that was dropped on the range was still clearly visible. There are numerous books showing the photo of the GS just after release, clearly showing the river and Sandy Balls area below the release point. The shock wave must have rattled a few local window panes when that bomb detonated.

Having been a regular visitor to the New Forest over the last thirty or so years, and this aspect of it’s history has always fascinated me, possibly even more so than the three airfields built in the forest, but I’ve never actually had time to walk into the old range area to see what remains of it for myself. Would love to see recent photos of the site.

Will try and find the details of the book tonight and confirm asap.

Paul F

What a co-incidence. On saturday I was given the remains of a 1000 lb bomb tail that was recently recovered off the Walk by someone who’s horse was nearly injured by it.

I have a booklet published recently about the range, if I can find it I will post details.
EDIT Found it. Its titled Ashley Walk Its Bombing Range Landscape and History. By Anthony Pasmore and Norman Parker ISBN 0 9523888 5 5. Published 2002.
Gives everything you need to know. If you cant get one send me a PM and you can have mine.

I have heard about this book, I live near the New Forest any way so I will try to get hold of a copy. If not I will be in touch.

Guess you know it already…
http://www.atlantikwall.co.uk/atlant…tml/page03.htm

Yes I already found this site, some of the photos have been a great help, thanks,

Martin

Guess you know it already…
http://www.atlantikwall.co.uk/atlantikwall/awall_use/ashleywalk01/html/page03.htm