Contributor: NFNPA Archaeology

Ashley Pillbox

A type 24 pill box is located in a private field in Ashley facing south. This would have been part of a network of pill boxes including Taddiford Gap and Milford On Sea, protecting against any potential invasion on the beaches of Hampshire.

Pillbox Key facts

Official designation: FW3/24
Shape: Irregular hexagonal
Five faces of 8ft (2.4m) in length externally and a rear face of 13ft (3.96m) with two rifle loops and an entrance 2ft (61cm) wide.

Those with thinner walls (up to 15ins) have rifle embrasures built in; the thicker-walled version (up to 24ins) has pre-formed embrasures designed to accommodate light machine guns (LMG’s).

PLEASE NOTE THIS PILLBOX IS ON PRIVATE LAND. THERE IS NO ACCESS WITHOUT LANDOWNERS PERMISSION

If you have anymore information about this pillbox please add your comments below or contact us on archaeology@newforestnpa.gov.uk

If you have anymore information about this or other local pillboxes please add your comments below or contact us on archaeology@newforestnpa.gov.uk

Further New Forest Pillboxes

Milford on Sea

Taddiford Gap

Braxton

Redbridge

Hinton

Breamore

Ashley Walk Bombing Range 1940-46 – Overview

Ashley Walk is an area of open health land in the north west of the New Forest near the village of Godshill.  The area is only accessible on foot or via the Hampton Ridge cycle route. If exploring on foot the Ashley Walk car park is the best place to park and is situated right next to the Brook-Fordingbridge road, just before entering Godshill. The cycle route along Hampton Ridge runs from Fritham to Abbotswell

The government first suggested the compulsory acquisition of land for bombing practice at Ashley Walk in November 1939 and though there was a lot of opposition to the idea by the Godshill Defence Committee the lease was agreed with the Verderers in February 1940. The 5000 acres (equivalent to 2833 football pitches) range was ready to use by August 1940. German Reconnaissance photos from 1941 show some of the range features in place, but many of the special targets yet to be added.

Ashley Walk bombing range was used by aircraft flying from the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Boscombe Down, nr Salisbury. The range was used for training and testing, all types of munitions fired and or dropped from British aircraft were tested here first, except live incendiaries due to the fire risk.

The range consisted of several different target types including air to ground attack, mock ship targets, aircraft pens, gun emplacement, bomb fragmentation areas and the Ministry of Home Security target (known locally as the Sub Pens) as well as domestic facilities for crew, two small grass airstrips, observation shelters and towers. The range was split with one area for inert ordnance only. The site was also used day and night with one, the illumination target specifically for night raid practice.

The whole range was used extensively throughout the war, creating many bomb craters and even an aircraft crash site. Activities continued until 1946, but the range was not fully cleared until 1948. The vast majority of targets and facilities were removed, although various features such as the concrete illuminated target arrow and the various chalk marks still survive. The Ministry of Home Security target was covered over with an earth mound and remains visible today near to one of the surviving observation shelters. Some craters were filled, but many were left open.

Do you have memories of the site or more information or photos of Ashley Walk Bombing Range, please share them with us.

Here are some links to other articles relating to the Ashley Walk Range:

History Hit Film on the Ashley Walk Bombing Range

Aerial footage of some of the Ashley Walk sites you can find out more about using the links above

Ashley Walk Illuminated Target

The government first suggested the compulsory acquisition of land for bombing practice at Ashley Walk in November 1939 and the lease was agreed with the Verderers in February 1940. The range was ready to use by August 1940. German Reconnaissance photos from 1941 show some of the range features in place, but many of the special targets yet to be added.

Ashley Walk bombing range was used by aircraft flying from the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) at RAF Boscombe Down. The range consisted of several different targets (for bombing, ground attack, mock ship targets, aircraft pens and the Ministry of Home Security target) as well as domestic facilities for crew, two small grass airstrips, observation shelters and towers.
These photos are from the high level day and night bombing range. Known as the illuminated target as the direction arrow and the target could be illuminated by a diesel generator.

The whole range was used extensively throughout the war, creating many bomb craters and even an aircraft crash site. Activities continued until 1946, but the range was not cleared until 1948. The vast majority of targets and facilities were removed, although various features such as the concrete illuminated target and the various chalk marks still survive. The Ministry of Home Security target was covered over with an earth mound and remains visible today near to one of the surviving observation shelters. Some craters were filled, but many were left open.

Other articles on Ashley Walk Bombing Range can be found by clicking on the following links

Do you have any more information or photos of Ashley Walk Bombing Range, please share them with us.

Automated Detection of Archaeology in the New Forest using Deep Learning with Remote Sensor Data – Abstract & Video

The following paper was presented at the New Forest Knowledge Conference 2017 entitled: New Forest Historical Research and Archaeology: who’s doing it? Below you will find the abstract of the paper and a video of the paper given if permission to film it was given by the speaker.

Speaker:

Iris Kramer , Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, UK

Jonathon Hare, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, UK

Isabel Sargent, Ordnance Survey, UK

Adam Prugel-Bennett, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, UK

Abstract

As a result of the New Forest Knowledge project, many new sites were discovered. This was partly due to the undertaken LiDAR survey which was followed by an intensive manual process to interpret the results. The research presented in this paper looks at methods to automate this process especially for round barrow detection using deep learning.

Traditionally, automated methods require manual feature engineering to extract the visual appearance of a site on remote sensing data. Whereas this approach is difficult, expensive and bound to detect a single type of site, recent developments have moved towards automated feature learning of which deep learning is the most notable. In our approach, we use known site locations together with LiDAR data and aerial images to train Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). This network is typically constructed of many layers with each representing a different filter (e.g. to detect lines or edges). When this network is trained, each new site location that is fed to the network will update the weights of features to better represent the appearance of sites in the remote sensing data. For this learning process, an accurate dataset is required with a lot of examples and therefore the New Forest is a very suitable case study, especially thanks to the extensive research of the New Forest Knowledge project.

In this paper, our latest results will be presented together with a future perspective on how we can scale our approach to a country wide detection method when computing power becomes even more efficient.

The Talk

 

Balmer Lawn – Satellite Site of New Zealand General Hospital No.1

Balmer Lawn and its surrounding land was donated to the war effort by Mrs Morant of Brockenhurst Park and it formed part of the Lady Hardinge Hospital for wounded Indian soldiers between 1914 and 1915.

In 1916 the main hospital complex and its satellite sites such as Balmer Lawn became part of the No.1 New Zealand General Hospital staffed and operated by the New Zealand Medical Corps. The main hospital headquarters were located at what is now Tile Barn Outdoor centre.

Under New Zealand operation Balmer Lawn became an Officer only site.

There are a selection of photos from Christmas 1917 at Balmer Lawn here.

You can find out more about the activities, sites and stories associated with the hospital by clicking here: No.1 New Zealand General Hospital

Beaulieu Airfield Overview

A 1946 RAF aerial image of Beaulieu airfield and 1946 asset plan of the site compiled by the Air Ministry Works Directorate in preperation for closing and returning the site to original landowners provide a fascinating picture of how much work and activity went into Beaulieu Airfield. Even though the site was meant to be returned to how it was before it was requisitioned, there are numerous echoes of its past that can still be found on the ground.

RAF Beaulieu was a Class A airfield built and opened in 1942. It was used by RAF Coastal Command and briefly by the Second Tactical Air Force before it was handed over to the USAAF in 1944. The airfield was used by both fighter and bomber squadrons before it was occupied by the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment, who remained there for six years. In 1953 the site was briefly upgraded in expectation of reactivation, but instead the site was closed in 1955 and the land relinquished in 1959

There are numerous articles about Beaulieu Airfield which we have tried to pull together here as potential further reading:

Beaulieu Airfield WWII activity

Oral Histories

Airfield Features

Film Footage

Beaulieu Airfield Pundit Code

If you take a detour of the main perimeter track at Beaulieu Airfield you might stumble across a large concrete BL set into the ground. This is located in front of where the airfield control tower once stood. It is still possible to see various building platform earthworks and areas of concrete surviving.

BL was the airfield pundit code, often laid in or by the signal square in front of the control tower. It helped airborne aircraft identify the airfield. All the airfields had one, rather like a postcode.

At night there were light beacons that flashed the pundit code letters in Morse. During war, pundit light was mobile and set up offset from the field. Allied crews would be pre briefed on range and bearing of light from field, this prevented the Germans navigating straight to the airfield when on bombing sorties.

The concrete code would have been laid down before the airfield opened, part of the technical site along with the tower and signal square. It was probably covered over when the code was changed at the war’s end. This is why it is not visible in the 1946 RAF Aerial above, though the area of the control tower is marked in red.

Airfield identifier systems changed a lot in the years following the war. Current codes are 4 letter, e.g EGHH (Bournemouth) EGHI (Southampton) and they are used as flight plan and communications identifiers now, effectively international standard data addresses for airfields.

Behind the concrete letters is a metal socket, which is possibly the base of the (visual) signal mast which would have also been part of the airfield signal square. The square showed information for airborne crews and the tower uses light signals, runway indicator boards and the signal mast for aircrew on the ground. It might have also been a windsock mast or it may have been the support for some met office weather equipment (the met measuring instrument enclosure was also traditionally located nearby).

Update: March 2017
Metal socket: short thick walled circular metal tube, an added keyway at the top joins to the tube and the entire item has external buttresses. The item is set into concrete. Site users have reported that the metal socket at Beaulieu has an inscription etched on top “MORTAR SIGNAL ML? 5 INCH” at the bottom “1942”.

this metal socket is part of a Signal Mortar. RAF Harrowbeer has a very similar metal socket.  The item at RAF Harrowbeer has been identified as a signal mortar. “A flair signal mortar was placed in the device and by pulling a wire attached to the base it fired the flair.” on the atlantikwall website.

RAF Harrowbeer’s website gives a little more info as to how and when this signal would be used:

VERY  PISTOL / SIGNALS  MORTAR
A Very Pistol was used to warn air-borne pilots to go round again if they were approaching with another aircraft in a blind spot or the aircraft was landing with it’s undercarriage retracted. The Pistol could fire pyrotechnics of different colours depending on the situation.

Another use was to alert pilots and air-crew at dispersal to scramble in the event of other methods failing, eg :- Tannoy or Telephone.

Very Pistol / Signals Mortars could be used to fire a brilliant flare high into the air to assist and guide airplanes to an airfield. The Signals Mortar would fire a large pyrotechnic vertically above the airfield in bad weather, usually used as a last resort for emergency guidance to an airfield.

The Signals Mortar at R.A.F. Harrowbeer is still in it’s original position, it has a diameter of 3 inches and is stamped with a date of 1943. It can be found adjacent to the Signals Square close to the Watch Office.

Thank you to our site users for helping to identify this item.

For further reading and articles on Beaulieu Airfield please visit: Beaulieu Airfield Overview

Beaulieu Anti-Tank Island

Anti-Tank islands were defensive points, usually centred on major road junctions, bridges or natural features that, if obstructed, would delay the advance of German forces, giving time for Allied reinforcements to move to the area. These sites were usually made up of bunkers, roadblocks, trenches and, in the event of a withdrawal being necessary, explosives that could be used to demolish a bridge or road altogether. Beaulieu is recorded as a Nodal Point in war diary research (WO 166/14506) and as an Anti-Tank Island (amended to Road Block) in the personal papers of Lt. Col. Sir Morgan Crofton 2nd in Command of the Home Guard’s 9th Forest Battalion.

A hand drawn map (Pencil sketch of Beaulieu Anti-Tank Island) included in these papers identifies two steel rail roadblocks that have also been identified in war diary research (WO166/1319) and in aerial photography taken by the RAF in 1946, five pillboxes, a row of ‘Elephants Teeth’ (most likely anti-tank blocks) and numerous firing positions from local buildings and a loopholed wall at Beaulieu Abbey.

Sir Crofton’s notes, in the Scrap book, on Beaulieu Platoon in Beaulieu Village
Garrison of 44 men distributed between 5 block houses (3 men a piece) and several small observation posts watching roads from the undergrowth near Palace House, with M.G posts hidden in undergrowth round the lake. The balance of men being retained as a general reserve, and to supply a small post at the top of Harlech Hill watching towards Hatchet Gate from which high ground it is possible to watch all the heights surrounding Beaulieu, which lies in a hollow.

What Survives today?
Steel rail roadblocks required holes to be dug into the tarmac which would presumably remain. However, resurfacing work may have obliterated them. Of the five bunkers identified, two are historic listed buildings (the Dairy and the Mill, although not designated on their World War II heritage) one is inside the garage building opposite the mill, one is behind the mill and the fifth does not appear to survive (if it was ever built). You will also be able to see an date on the bridge cast in iron ‘1943’ this was when the bridge was widened in the build up to D Day.

Like the anti-tank island at Breamore, the site at Beaulieu is extremely concentrated on a very small area and provides an excellent example of how buildings were modified and added to in order to create defensive sites.

To view a vast collection of material relating to the Home Guard in Beaulieu and the rest of the New Forest area see the Home Guard: Crofton collection.

Beetles at Marchwood

A series of photos showing the construction of ‘Beetles’ the support elements for the roadways (Whales) of Mulberry Harbour at Marchwood Military Port. All photos are credit the National Archives (WO240/2)

Marchwood, the Beaulieu River and nearby Lepe played very important roles in the construction of temporary Mulberry Harbours, which consisted of ‘Spuds’ (pier heads), ‘Whales’ (roads) and ‘Beetles’ (pontoons). These experimental units were towed across the English Channel to successfully disembark troops, machinery and supplies on the Normandy beaches circumnavigating the heavily defended French harbours. 470 Beetles were built in advance of D-Day. It would appear that there were only four construction sites, the others being London, Beaulieu River (Clobb Copse), and Southsea.

In November 1943 a new military port was built at Marchwood to specifically assist with Mulberry Harbour construction in the build up to D Day and to give extra docking space for the ever increasing number of vessels waiting in Southampton Water for the Normandy landings.

It became the base for the newly formed No. 1 Port and Inland Water Transport Repair Depot, Royal Engineers. The unit’s responsibilities included the construction of Mulberry Harbour components; particularly the floating spans made up of the ‘Whales’ roadways and ‘Beetles’ support pontoons

Wates Group Ltd. construction firm, who had been employed to build elements of Mulberry, also built a slipway and other facilities. Part of the waterfront was also roofed over so that Mulberry construction could continue in bad weather.

You can find out more about the New Forest’s vital role in D-Day from Mulberry Harbour, to holding camps, road widening, advanced landing grounds, PLUTO and Embarkation by visiting our main page on D-Day in the New Forest.

A large number of WWII Beetles (39)  can be still on the shore of Southampton Water between Hythe and Marchwood, where they have been scuttled to help reclaim land and act as coastal protection. It is believed that these Beetles were spares manufactured at Marchwood or Beaulieu that never made it over to France. A detailed survey and recording of the Beetles and the site history was undertaken by a student at the University of Southampton which can be read: here

You can see some of the Beetles in the following video:

WO240 Papers contain information about War Office: Mulberry Harbours; Photos

Beetles on the Beaulieu River

Images of Beetles and the concrete floating dock which were built in the old oyster beds at Buckler’s Hard and Clobb Copse between 1943-44

The Beaulieu River, Marchwood and nearby Lepe played very important roles in the construction of temporary Mulberry Harbours, which consisted of ‘Spuds’ (pier heads), ‘Whales’ (roads) and ‘Beetles’ (pontoons). These experimental units were towed across the English Channel to successfully disembark troops, machinery and supplies on the Normandy beaches circumnavigating the heavily defended French harbours.

The actual proposer of the idea of the Mulberry harbour is disputed, and there is also suggestion that the code name came about following a meeting at HMS Mastadon (Exbury House) underneath a Mulberry Tree.

At a meeting following the Dieppe Raid, Vice-Admiral John Hughes-Hallett declared that if a port could not be captured, then one should be taken across the Channel. The concept of Mulberry harbours began to take shape when Hughes-Hallett moved to be Naval Chief of Staff to the Overlord planners.

A trial of the three eventual competing designs for the cargo handling jetties was set up, with tests of deployment at Garlieston, Wigtownshire. The designs were by Hugh Iorys Hughes who developed his “Hippo” piers and “Crocodile” bridge units on the Conwy Morfa, using 1,000 men to build the trial version; the Hamilton “Swiss Roll” which consisted of a floating roadway made of waterproofed canvas stiffened with slats and tensioned by cables; and a system of flexible bridging units supported on floating pontoons designed by Major Allan Beckett, Royal Engineers. The tests revealed various problems (the “Swiss Roll” would only take a maximum of a 7 ton truck in the Atlantic swell). However the final choice of design was determined by a storm during which the “Swiss Roll” was washed away and the “Hippos” were undermined while Beckett’s floating roadway (subsequently codenamed ‘Whale’) survived undamaged. Beckett’s design was adopted and 10 miles of Whale roadway were manufactured.

The proposed harbours called for many huge caissons of various sorts to build breakwaters and piers and connecting structures to provide the roadways. The caissons were built at a number of locations, mainly existing ship building facilities or large beaches. On completion they were towed across the English Channel by tug to the Normandy coast

Crossword Clues

“Mulberry” and the names of all the beaches were words appearing in the Daily Telegraph crossword puzzle in the month prior to the invasion. The crossword compilers, Melville Jones and Leonard Dawe were questioned by MI5 who determined the appearance of the words was innocent, but after the turn of the century, a former student identified that Dawe frequently requested words from his students, many of whom were children in the same area as US military personnel

All Photos are credit: Lord Montagu of Beaulieu

Do you have any more information such as photos or memories of the build up to D-Day in the New Forest?

You can find out more about the New Forest’s vital role in D-Day from Mulberry Harbour, to holding camps, road widening, advanced landing grounds, PLUTO and Embarkation by visiting our main page on D-Day in the New Forest.