Ashley Range

Ashley Range is a former World War II bombing range in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. The range is approximately 5 mi (8.0 km) north-west of Lyndhurst and 14 mi (23 km) west of Southampton. Barnes Wallis's Bouncing bomb used in Operation Chastise by the Dambusters and the Grand Slam bomb were tested there.

Ashley Range
Located Near Southampton, Hampshire, England
Ashley Range is located in Hampshire
Ashley Range
Ashley Range
Ashley Range, shown within Hampshire
Coordinates50.940°N 1.709°W / 50.940; -1.709
TypeBombing Range
Site history
Built1942
In use1942–1946

Overview

The site was used to develop a more effective air-raid shelter, built over five and a half months at a cost of £250,000. Once complete, the site became the first to be subjected to the devastating effect of Barnes Wallis's Grand Slam bomb, which was test-dropped on the site. After the end of the war, the site was returned to its natural state and the concrete bunker was encased in a mound of dirt because it could not be demolished. Visitors today can still see the bomb craters, an observation shelter and chalk markings made on the ground to help bombers find their targets.[1]

References
  1. "Ashly Range". New Forest National Park. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
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