Nevington Environs
Nevington Walk Bombing Range
The Nevington Forest is famous for its ponies and areas of tranquil beauty. It contributed much to the airborne war in 1939 - 1945. It was surrounded by no less than twelve airfields and advanced landing grounds located within its area. The airfields included such well known names as Stoney Cross, Ibsley, Holmsley and Lymington. In its centre there ia the Nevington Walk Bombing Range.
The main entrance located on Snake Road. Here there was a small guardroom building located adjacent to the main gate. Although pig proof the area did not appear to be small boy proof and there are tales of the range being much used as a playground during the wartime years by local lads.
The range came into use in 1940 and covered 5000 acres. Every type of air dropped ordnance used by the RAF (with the exception of incendiary weapons) was tested here between 1940 and 1946. Along with the air dropped ordnance, guns and rockets were also tested and evaluated. The types of bombs tested ranged from small anti-personnel types to the ultimate in air dropped ordnance, the 22,000lb Grand Slam earth quake bomb.
The range Consists of two parts.
A 2000 yard diameter Practice Range. This was used for dropping inert bombs up to a height of 14,000’. The range could be used either by day or by night. If night bombing was required the targets could be lit by a diesel generator. It appears that this part of the range was seldom used. This range was controlled by a tower located at Hampton Ridge which was known as the Main Practice Tower.
The second part of the range was the High Explosive Range. This had a diameter of 4,000 yards and was controlled by the North Tower The High Explosive Range could used to a height of 20,000’ for dropping ordnance.
The towers at both locations were approximately 30’ high with large observation windows which gave a good view of events out on the range. The entire range was under the control of the Range Office. There were two observation huts on the range, one at Amberwood which still exists to this day and the other a filming shelter adjoining No 2 Target Wall.
Transport links to the range were by road but in addition to this, two airstrips were built. The strips were 400 yards long and were for use by small Auster type aircraft. The strips ran south and south west from the southern edge of the Nevington Cricket Pitch.
Targeting Facilities
There were a multitude of targets which included wall targets, air to ground, a line target, a ship target, a submarine pen (Ministry of Home Security Target), fragmentation targets and a range of custom targets.
The targets were marked by chalk imported in to mark targets so they could be seen from the air.
(Map - By kind permission of The New Forest Research & Publication Trust)
Air To Ground Targets
There were two air to ground targets built near the western edge of the High Explosive Range. The targets consisted of yellow and black squares and were used for guns up to 40mm and rockets of 3" diameter.
The Line Target
This target is still very evident today and consists of a 10’ wide line of some 2,000 yard in length. The line ended with a white marked cross with arms of 100 yards in length. The lines were created using chalk. The Line Targets purpose was to simulate a railway line and was used to develop techniques to attack railways (or in some cases roads) using rockets or bombs.
Wall Targets
Three Wall Targets were built at Ashley Walk and consisted of the following.
No 1 Wall Target
This target was 40’ wide by 40’ high and constructed of 9’’ reinforced concrete.
No 2 Wall Target
This target was the same size as No 1 Wall Target and was built on a 9’’ concrete base which was 200 yards in diameter. From an aerial view this target is surrounded by a series of concentric circles which were formed by bulldozing away the top soil to reveal the bleached gravel. These circles were used to provide a guide to impact distances.
No 3 Wall Target
Very different to the other wall targets, this one was constructed to test “bouncing bombs” as designed by Dr. Barnes Wallis. The wall was 8’ 10’’ high, 6’ thick, and 20’ long. The wall was faced with 2’’ of armour plate.
Initially the smaller Highball bomb was tested which was carried by a De Havilland Mosquito aircraft. In August 1943 the No 3 wall was extended in length by 90’ to allow testing of the “Upkeep” bouncing bomb. This is the bomb that was used during the famous Dams Raid which took place in May 1943. Specially modified Avro Lancasters were used to carry the Upkeep bomb. It is interesting to note that it was considered the Upkeep bomb was not used after the Dam Raid. However, it would appear from the tests carried out at Ashley Walk it was. It is possible the tests were undertaken to see if the Upkeep bomb could have been used to breach beach sea wall defences in France with D-Day approaching.
Ship Target
As the name suggests the target was designed to represent a ship and was located on flat ground at Cockley Plain. The target was constructed from steel plates and heavy angle iron girders. It was used to test the effectiveness and penetrating powers of 20, 40mm cannons, air to ground rockets and the 6 pounder gun used in the Mosquito.
Fragmentation Targets
Two areas on the range were set aside for the testing of fragmentation bombs. The areas were known as A,B,C & D. The area were marked in chalk with their designated letters so they were visible from the air.
Sites A & B were located near Alderman Bottom. The area was used to test dispersal areas and the protection they could afford aircraft from fragmentation bombs. A number of aircraft pens were constructed in line with the design that was used by the Luftwaffe.
Sites C & D were located to the east of Coopers Hill. This area was used to test fragmentation bombs against surface targets such as trenches and command posts.
Ministry Of Home Security Target (Submarine Pen)
I have heard that the above may have been built to see how well air raid shelters stood up to the effects of bombing. I have not been able to confirm this so there is some debate prevailing as to the true purpose of the target. An alternative theory has also been put forwards as below.
It became evident that the Germans were building substantial concrete structures on the French Coast to house their U-Boats. The RAF were keen to bomb these structures but needed to evaluate how the structures could be penetrated. In order to simulate the structures, a replica was built at Ashley Walk in September 1941 at a cost of £250,000. A huge concrete raft 6’ thick and measuring 79’ by 70’ was constructed. Supported on five walls, 6’ high the structure was built on a foundation 20’’ thick. The outer walls were 3’ 3’’ thick with the inner walls being 1’ 9’’. The RAF tried many times to destroy the pen but were not successful. In fact they had quite an issue with trying to hit the target. The bombs used, 500Ib, were also in reality rather small to make an impression on such a massively constructed structure.
It would not be until later in the war that the RAF managed to penetrate the submarine pens in France. In order to do this, 12,000Ib Tallboy and 22,000lb Grand Slam bombs were used.
Improving Accuracy
Throughout the tests bombing accuracy improved at Ashley Walk. An anecdote from time goes as follows. Film of an inert bomb approaching a target was required. It was considered that the safest place to put the camera was target centre. This cynical approach cost the Ministry one cine camera after the bomb hit target centre fair and square.
Testing Of Highball
The story of the Barnes Wallis's Upkeep bouncing bomb as used by the Dambusters in May 1943 is well known, but that of its smaller brother, Highball, is not.
Highball was a smaller version of Upkeep that was designed to be used against shipping. Testing took place at Chesil Beach, Reculver and Loch Striven in Scotland. Poor weather at the Scottish Loch delayed testing so it was decided to use Ashley Walk, where a steel faced concrete wall was erected to act as a target. Contemporary film footage of the testing can be found by accessing the following link -
www.youtube.com
Consideration was given to using Highball for attacks on canals, dry docks, submarine pens and railway tunnels but in the end the bomb was never used operationally.
Testing Of The Earthquake Bombs
12,000Ib Tallboy Bomb (located at the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight Hangar)The largest air dropped ordnance used during the war were the 12,000lb Tallboy and the 22,000Ib Grand Slam bombs. Both were designed by Barnes Wallis and were known as “earthquake” bombs. There is a good reason for the name as when they landed and detonated they in effect caused a condition similar to an earthquake. Both types of bomb were tested at Ashley Walk.
The Tallboy and Grand Slams were deep penetration bombs with streamlined casings made from high quality steel with specially hardened nose sections.
The Tallboy was stabilised in flight by four fins inclined at an angle of 5 degrees, which caused the bomb to spin about its axis as it fell. Initially inert Tallboys were dropped into the range with live examples filled with 5,200Ib of Torpex. The bombs would have been delivered by Avro Lancasters, the design of the aircraft allowing the dropping of such large weapons.
The first live trial of a Tallboy took place at the range on 18th April 1944. Scheduled for the morning, the test was delayed due to poor weather and went ahead at 18.00hrs. To check for accuracy four small practice bombs were dropped by a Lancaster of No 617 Squadron, flying from A&AEE Boscombe Down, followed by two dummy runs. On the third run at a speed of 169mph and at a height of 18,000’ the first live Tallboy was dropped.
The bomb landed one hundred yards from the target with the sound of the Tall Boy falling reaching observers seconds after the impact. After a short delay earth and flame were thrown up as the bomb detonated. It had taken thirty seven seconds from release to impact with a terminal velocity of 1,000’ per second being reached.
The crater created by the Tallboy was ninety two feet in diameter and was almost perfectly circular. The depth of the crater was between twenty to thirty feet deep and it is estimated the bomb penetrated to a depth of sixty feet. On the same day a second Tallboy was dropped with results similar to that of the first.
The trials were thought a success and it was considered that the Tallboy would be a good weapon to use against rigid targets, due its ability to create a localised earthquake sufficient to weaken structures.
Further tests took place on 24th & 25th of April with six Tallboys being dropped aimed at a raised concrete platform of one hundred square feet with a thickness of eight feet. The bombs were dropped by a No 617 Squadron Lancaster with Flt Lt Keith Asbury DFC RAAF in the nose acting as bomb aimer. The bomb’s designer Barnes Wallis considered that a direct hit would penetrate the target whilst a near miss would cause severe disruption.
The bombs were dropped from 18,000’ in clear weather with the following results being achieved –
The tests showed that when used in anger, even a near miss would cause considerable movement and damage to the intended target. Further tests of Tallboy took place at Ashley Walk on 11th May 1944 when two more were dropped to provide fuzing data. The first operational use of Tallboy occurred on 8-9 June 1944, when No 617 Squadron Lancasters successfully bombed and blocked the railway tunnel at Saumur, France.
Joining 617, No 9 Squadron based at RAF Bardney were also equipped to carry Tallboys and both squadrons went on to attack a number of high value targets including U-Boat pens, canals, viaducts, the battleship Tirpitz and even Hitler’s Berghof. By the war’s end 854 Tallboys had been dropped.
22,000Ib Grand Slam Bomb - (Yorkshire Air Museum)Following on the from the Tallboy things got even bigger with the introduction of the Grand Slam. Weighing in at 22,000Ib this bomb was so large that specially designed Lancasters had to to be built to carry the weapon. The design of the Grand Slam was essentially the same as the Tallboy and carried 9,135Ib of Torpex.
The Grand Slams development was stopped in September 1944 as it was considered that the war would be over by Christmas. However, after the failure of Operation Market Garden development was resumed. It was also felt that although the Tallboy was a very effective weapon, some shortcomings had come to light and a still bigger bomb was required.
A series of inert 22,000Ib Grand Slam bombs were dropped into Ashley Walk. After the inert tests and following a number of attempts curtailed by the weather, on 13 March 1945 Lancaster B.1 Special PB592/G flying at 18,000’ above Sandy Balls, released a live Grand Slam which impacted near Pitts Wood.
On the ground the event was watched by a large group of people including its designer Barnes Wallis. The bomb buried itself deep into the ground and after a delay of nine seconds, exploded producing a crater of 34’ deep by 124’ in diameter. The local residents were not informed prior to the test, did not see it, but would certainly have felt it as the earth moved.
The test was deemed a success and the following day 28 Lancasters dropped Tallboy and a Grand Slam in an attack on the Bielefeld and Arnsberg viaducts. No 617 Squadron Lancaster, PD112, piloted by Squadron Leader C. C. Calder dropped his Grand Slam at Bielefeld which resulted in 100 yards collapsing due to the earthquake effect of the bomb. The Arnsberg viaduct was later found to be undamaged.
However, the Arnsberg viaduct’s luck ran out on 19 March 1945, when No 617 attacked with 6 Grand Slams which sealed its fate with a 40’ gap blown in the structure. In total 41 Grand Slams were dropped by 617 Squadron Lancasters before the war ended.
Avro Lancaster B.1 Special - photo IWM
Grand Slam Release - photo IWM
Aside from the atomic bomb the Grand Slam was probably the most effective air dropped weapon used during the Second World War.
Whilst on the subject of No 617 Squadron, it is of note that on 5 August 1943, one of their Lancasters, ED765 AJ-M, crash landed at Ashley Walk with six out of the seven crew sustaining injury. On the day the pilot was F/L W H Kellaway DSO who had flown Fairey Battles with No 12 Squadron in France before going onto to complete a tour with No 149 Squadron flying Short Stirlings. He then moved onto to fly with No 630 Squadron and post war in 1954 took command of the first English Electric Canberra Conversion Unit at Bassingbourn.
Recently some tests have been undertaken at Ashley Walk where the Grand Slam was dropped. This link gives some information regarding the tests.
What Remains On The Ground Today
Map - OS Explorer OL22 New Forest
Note : OS Grid References are given where known to mark the location of remains.
Ashley Walk today is a very quiet place with acres of beautiful Hampshire countryside just waiting to be explored by anyone who enjoys a good walk and wants to find a piece of local history. The sounds of the Merlin and Centaurus are long gone, however, evidence of the wartime activities are very easy to find although some of them take a little looking for. I have made several trips to the range and have found most of what remains. The following should give the reader a good idea of what is to be discovered on the ground. Anyone going to the range is advised to have a look at Google Earth (GE) as an aerial view does show up what sometime can be difficult to find on the ground. If you type - 50 56 23 26 N 1 42 32 75 W into the GE search box it will take you to No 2 Target Wall. The rest of what can be seen is quite evident from this view point. Visitors should be aware that occasionally live ordnance is still unearthed on the range and care should be exercised if anything suspicious does come to the surface.
Bomb Craters
Bombs craters are still very evident today and parts of the range resemble a lunar landscape. The main part of the range is littered with bomb craters, many now like small ponds full of water as detailed in the photograph below. Grid Reference SU 2019 1550
Chalk
As can be seen below, chalk is still much in evidence at the range even after all these years of closure.
Today where the chalk was used native plants will not grow, hence why the target markers have not become overgrown. Grid Reference SU 1977 1525
The Line Target
The Line Target is still very much in evidence although it does get a little difficult to trace after it has passed over the Submarine Pen. The targets termination is easily identifiable as a large white cross again marked by chalk. The target in its early stages resembles a long straight footpath cutting across the range. Grid Reference SU 1995 1396
The cross centre at the termination of the Line Target - Grid Reference SU 2041 1505
Wall Targets
With all the Wall Targets there is no effective way to photograph the remains in a way that gives much meaning. Therefore, I have listed the Grid References and explained what can be seen on the ground.
No 1 Wall Target
Not much evidence can be seen of this target at ground level, however, from GE its base impression can still be discerned on the ground. Grid Reference SU 1983 1532
No 2 Wall Target
This now appears on the ground as a large circle of ground that looks out of place to its surroundings. Again GE shows the target very clearly as a large sand coloured disk. The target is very large and there is no effective way to photograph it from ground level. Grid Reference SU 2052 1565
No 3 Wall Target
This now appears only as a long low mound of earth. The mound has thorn bushes growing on it and evidence of rubble. It is understood that the wall was undermined along its length and then simply pushed over and buried.
Ship Target
The remains of this target are still visible in the form a concrete base and some concrete foundations with metal bolts still in place. Grid Reference SU 1927 1522
On my visit the odd piece of metal plate was also visible on the ground.
Fragmentation Targets
Grid Reference A & B Target Area - SU 1964 1136
Grid Reference C & D Target Area - SU 2085 1467
All of the letters A, B, C, & D can still be seen on the ground although you need a GPS device to effectively find some of them. The photo below shows Target C
Ministry Of Home Security Target
The remains are still very much in evidence as a large mound of earth that covers the concrete structure. The structure was massively built and it was considered that demolition was not an option after the war. It was therefore simply covered over with earth. Concrete is starting to show through where erosion of the earth is taking place. Many people walk past this mound and would have no idea what its former use would have been. Grid Reference SU 2002 1412
Tallboy Crater
This crater was created by a 12,000Ib bomb and now resembles a small lake. It is often now used by New Forest ponies as a watering hole. This is the most obvious crater of its type. Incidentally the one and only live test Grand Slam crater was filled in after the war. The photograph below shows the Tall Boy crater with the Submarine Pen in the background. Grid Reference SU 1995 1407
Other Remains
Observation Hut
This is located near Amberwood and is one of the few remaining structures on the range. If you look carefully at the end wall of the hut you can see where an enterprising bricklayer has formed the letter V. Grid Reference SU 2194 1640
Detail display panels at the remains of The Main Practice Tower located on Hampton Ridge. Grid Reference SU 1882 1360
Located next to the Main Practice Tower is this large white concrete direction arrow which points towards Ley Gutter where an illuminated target was located. Grid Reference SU 1883 1359
The remains of cast concrete light boxes at the Illuminated Target location below Ley Gutter.
Grid Reference SU 1913 1279
Detail of an individual light box.
North Observation Tower Direction Arrow. Grid Reference SU 2031 1651
North Observation Tower Detail Display Panels.
The main entrance located on Snake Road. Here there was a small guardroom building located adjacent to the main gate. Although pig proof the area did not appear to be small boy proof and there are tales of the range being much used as a playground during the wartime years by local lads.
The range came into use in 1940 and covered 5000 acres. Every type of air dropped ordnance used by the RAF (with the exception of incendiary weapons) was tested here between 1940 and 1946. Along with the air dropped ordnance, guns and rockets were also tested and evaluated. The types of bombs tested ranged from small anti-personnel types to the ultimate in air dropped ordnance, the 22,000lb Grand Slam earth quake bomb.
The range Consists of two parts.
A 2000 yard diameter Practice Range. This was used for dropping inert bombs up to a height of 14,000’. The range could be used either by day or by night. If night bombing was required the targets could be lit by a diesel generator. It appears that this part of the range was seldom used. This range was controlled by a tower located at Hampton Ridge which was known as the Main Practice Tower.
The second part of the range was the High Explosive Range. This had a diameter of 4,000 yards and was controlled by the North Tower The High Explosive Range could used to a height of 20,000’ for dropping ordnance.
The towers at both locations were approximately 30’ high with large observation windows which gave a good view of events out on the range. The entire range was under the control of the Range Office. There were two observation huts on the range, one at Amberwood which still exists to this day and the other a filming shelter adjoining No 2 Target Wall.
Transport links to the range were by road but in addition to this, two airstrips were built. The strips were 400 yards long and were for use by small Auster type aircraft. The strips ran south and south west from the southern edge of the Nevington Cricket Pitch.
Targeting Facilities
There were a multitude of targets which included wall targets, air to ground, a line target, a ship target, a submarine pen (Ministry of Home Security Target), fragmentation targets and a range of custom targets.
The targets were marked by chalk imported in to mark targets so they could be seen from the air.
(Map - By kind permission of The New Forest Research & Publication Trust)
Air To Ground Targets
There were two air to ground targets built near the western edge of the High Explosive Range. The targets consisted of yellow and black squares and were used for guns up to 40mm and rockets of 3" diameter.
The Line Target
This target is still very evident today and consists of a 10’ wide line of some 2,000 yard in length. The line ended with a white marked cross with arms of 100 yards in length. The lines were created using chalk. The Line Targets purpose was to simulate a railway line and was used to develop techniques to attack railways (or in some cases roads) using rockets or bombs.
Wall Targets
Three Wall Targets were built at Ashley Walk and consisted of the following.
No 1 Wall Target
This target was 40’ wide by 40’ high and constructed of 9’’ reinforced concrete.
No 2 Wall Target
This target was the same size as No 1 Wall Target and was built on a 9’’ concrete base which was 200 yards in diameter. From an aerial view this target is surrounded by a series of concentric circles which were formed by bulldozing away the top soil to reveal the bleached gravel. These circles were used to provide a guide to impact distances.
No 3 Wall Target
Very different to the other wall targets, this one was constructed to test “bouncing bombs” as designed by Dr. Barnes Wallis. The wall was 8’ 10’’ high, 6’ thick, and 20’ long. The wall was faced with 2’’ of armour plate.
Initially the smaller Highball bomb was tested which was carried by a De Havilland Mosquito aircraft. In August 1943 the No 3 wall was extended in length by 90’ to allow testing of the “Upkeep” bouncing bomb. This is the bomb that was used during the famous Dams Raid which took place in May 1943. Specially modified Avro Lancasters were used to carry the Upkeep bomb. It is interesting to note that it was considered the Upkeep bomb was not used after the Dam Raid. However, it would appear from the tests carried out at Ashley Walk it was. It is possible the tests were undertaken to see if the Upkeep bomb could have been used to breach beach sea wall defences in France with D-Day approaching.
Ship Target
As the name suggests the target was designed to represent a ship and was located on flat ground at Cockley Plain. The target was constructed from steel plates and heavy angle iron girders. It was used to test the effectiveness and penetrating powers of 20, 40mm cannons, air to ground rockets and the 6 pounder gun used in the Mosquito.
Fragmentation Targets
Two areas on the range were set aside for the testing of fragmentation bombs. The areas were known as A,B,C & D. The area were marked in chalk with their designated letters so they were visible from the air.
Sites A & B were located near Alderman Bottom. The area was used to test dispersal areas and the protection they could afford aircraft from fragmentation bombs. A number of aircraft pens were constructed in line with the design that was used by the Luftwaffe.
Sites C & D were located to the east of Coopers Hill. This area was used to test fragmentation bombs against surface targets such as trenches and command posts.
Ministry Of Home Security Target (Submarine Pen)
I have heard that the above may have been built to see how well air raid shelters stood up to the effects of bombing. I have not been able to confirm this so there is some debate prevailing as to the true purpose of the target. An alternative theory has also been put forwards as below.
It became evident that the Germans were building substantial concrete structures on the French Coast to house their U-Boats. The RAF were keen to bomb these structures but needed to evaluate how the structures could be penetrated. In order to simulate the structures, a replica was built at Ashley Walk in September 1941 at a cost of £250,000. A huge concrete raft 6’ thick and measuring 79’ by 70’ was constructed. Supported on five walls, 6’ high the structure was built on a foundation 20’’ thick. The outer walls were 3’ 3’’ thick with the inner walls being 1’ 9’’. The RAF tried many times to destroy the pen but were not successful. In fact they had quite an issue with trying to hit the target. The bombs used, 500Ib, were also in reality rather small to make an impression on such a massively constructed structure.
It would not be until later in the war that the RAF managed to penetrate the submarine pens in France. In order to do this, 12,000Ib Tallboy and 22,000lb Grand Slam bombs were used.
Improving Accuracy
Throughout the tests bombing accuracy improved at Ashley Walk. An anecdote from time goes as follows. Film of an inert bomb approaching a target was required. It was considered that the safest place to put the camera was target centre. This cynical approach cost the Ministry one cine camera after the bomb hit target centre fair and square.
Testing Of Highball
The story of the Barnes Wallis's Upkeep bouncing bomb as used by the Dambusters in May 1943 is well known, but that of its smaller brother, Highball, is not.
Highball was a smaller version of Upkeep that was designed to be used against shipping. Testing took place at Chesil Beach, Reculver and Loch Striven in Scotland. Poor weather at the Scottish Loch delayed testing so it was decided to use Ashley Walk, where a steel faced concrete wall was erected to act as a target. Contemporary film footage of the testing can be found by accessing the following link -
www.youtube.com
Consideration was given to using Highball for attacks on canals, dry docks, submarine pens and railway tunnels but in the end the bomb was never used operationally.
Testing Of The Earthquake Bombs
12,000Ib Tallboy Bomb (located at the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight Hangar)The largest air dropped ordnance used during the war were the 12,000lb Tallboy and the 22,000Ib Grand Slam bombs. Both were designed by Barnes Wallis and were known as “earthquake” bombs. There is a good reason for the name as when they landed and detonated they in effect caused a condition similar to an earthquake. Both types of bomb were tested at Ashley Walk.
The Tallboy and Grand Slams were deep penetration bombs with streamlined casings made from high quality steel with specially hardened nose sections.
The Tallboy was stabilised in flight by four fins inclined at an angle of 5 degrees, which caused the bomb to spin about its axis as it fell. Initially inert Tallboys were dropped into the range with live examples filled with 5,200Ib of Torpex. The bombs would have been delivered by Avro Lancasters, the design of the aircraft allowing the dropping of such large weapons.
The first live trial of a Tallboy took place at the range on 18th April 1944. Scheduled for the morning, the test was delayed due to poor weather and went ahead at 18.00hrs. To check for accuracy four small practice bombs were dropped by a Lancaster of No 617 Squadron, flying from A&AEE Boscombe Down, followed by two dummy runs. On the third run at a speed of 169mph and at a height of 18,000’ the first live Tallboy was dropped.
The bomb landed one hundred yards from the target with the sound of the Tall Boy falling reaching observers seconds after the impact. After a short delay earth and flame were thrown up as the bomb detonated. It had taken thirty seven seconds from release to impact with a terminal velocity of 1,000’ per second being reached.
The crater created by the Tallboy was ninety two feet in diameter and was almost perfectly circular. The depth of the crater was between twenty to thirty feet deep and it is estimated the bomb penetrated to a depth of sixty feet. On the same day a second Tallboy was dropped with results similar to that of the first.
The trials were thought a success and it was considered that the Tallboy would be a good weapon to use against rigid targets, due its ability to create a localised earthquake sufficient to weaken structures.
Further tests took place on 24th & 25th of April with six Tallboys being dropped aimed at a raised concrete platform of one hundred square feet with a thickness of eight feet. The bombs were dropped by a No 617 Squadron Lancaster with Flt Lt Keith Asbury DFC RAAF in the nose acting as bomb aimer. The bomb’s designer Barnes Wallis considered that a direct hit would penetrate the target whilst a near miss would cause severe disruption.
The bombs were dropped from 18,000’ in clear weather with the following results being achieved –
- 1. Crater 80’ (sand) Depth 11’ 8” Distance from Aiming Point 106 yards
- 2. Crater 75’ (clay) Depth 10’ 8” Distance from Aiming Point 302 yards
- 3. Crater 66’ (clay) Depth 21’ Distance from Aiming Point 150 yards
- 4. Crater 84’ (sand) Depth 19’ 3” Distance from Aiming Point 107 yards
- 5. Crater 89’ (sand) Depth 18 Distance from Aiming Point 84 yards
- 6. Crater 80’ (clay) Depth 17 Distance from Aiming Point 83 yards
The tests showed that when used in anger, even a near miss would cause considerable movement and damage to the intended target. Further tests of Tallboy took place at Ashley Walk on 11th May 1944 when two more were dropped to provide fuzing data. The first operational use of Tallboy occurred on 8-9 June 1944, when No 617 Squadron Lancasters successfully bombed and blocked the railway tunnel at Saumur, France.
Joining 617, No 9 Squadron based at RAF Bardney were also equipped to carry Tallboys and both squadrons went on to attack a number of high value targets including U-Boat pens, canals, viaducts, the battleship Tirpitz and even Hitler’s Berghof. By the war’s end 854 Tallboys had been dropped.
22,000Ib Grand Slam Bomb - (Yorkshire Air Museum)Following on the from the Tallboy things got even bigger with the introduction of the Grand Slam. Weighing in at 22,000Ib this bomb was so large that specially designed Lancasters had to to be built to carry the weapon. The design of the Grand Slam was essentially the same as the Tallboy and carried 9,135Ib of Torpex.
The Grand Slams development was stopped in September 1944 as it was considered that the war would be over by Christmas. However, after the failure of Operation Market Garden development was resumed. It was also felt that although the Tallboy was a very effective weapon, some shortcomings had come to light and a still bigger bomb was required.
A series of inert 22,000Ib Grand Slam bombs were dropped into Ashley Walk. After the inert tests and following a number of attempts curtailed by the weather, on 13 March 1945 Lancaster B.1 Special PB592/G flying at 18,000’ above Sandy Balls, released a live Grand Slam which impacted near Pitts Wood.
On the ground the event was watched by a large group of people including its designer Barnes Wallis. The bomb buried itself deep into the ground and after a delay of nine seconds, exploded producing a crater of 34’ deep by 124’ in diameter. The local residents were not informed prior to the test, did not see it, but would certainly have felt it as the earth moved.
The test was deemed a success and the following day 28 Lancasters dropped Tallboy and a Grand Slam in an attack on the Bielefeld and Arnsberg viaducts. No 617 Squadron Lancaster, PD112, piloted by Squadron Leader C. C. Calder dropped his Grand Slam at Bielefeld which resulted in 100 yards collapsing due to the earthquake effect of the bomb. The Arnsberg viaduct was later found to be undamaged.
However, the Arnsberg viaduct’s luck ran out on 19 March 1945, when No 617 attacked with 6 Grand Slams which sealed its fate with a 40’ gap blown in the structure. In total 41 Grand Slams were dropped by 617 Squadron Lancasters before the war ended.
Avro Lancaster B.1 Special - photo IWM
Grand Slam Release - photo IWM
Aside from the atomic bomb the Grand Slam was probably the most effective air dropped weapon used during the Second World War.
Whilst on the subject of No 617 Squadron, it is of note that on 5 August 1943, one of their Lancasters, ED765 AJ-M, crash landed at Ashley Walk with six out of the seven crew sustaining injury. On the day the pilot was F/L W H Kellaway DSO who had flown Fairey Battles with No 12 Squadron in France before going onto to complete a tour with No 149 Squadron flying Short Stirlings. He then moved onto to fly with No 630 Squadron and post war in 1954 took command of the first English Electric Canberra Conversion Unit at Bassingbourn.
Recently some tests have been undertaken at Ashley Walk where the Grand Slam was dropped. This link gives some information regarding the tests.
What Remains On The Ground Today
Map - OS Explorer OL22 New Forest
Note : OS Grid References are given where known to mark the location of remains.
Ashley Walk today is a very quiet place with acres of beautiful Hampshire countryside just waiting to be explored by anyone who enjoys a good walk and wants to find a piece of local history. The sounds of the Merlin and Centaurus are long gone, however, evidence of the wartime activities are very easy to find although some of them take a little looking for. I have made several trips to the range and have found most of what remains. The following should give the reader a good idea of what is to be discovered on the ground. Anyone going to the range is advised to have a look at Google Earth (GE) as an aerial view does show up what sometime can be difficult to find on the ground. If you type - 50 56 23 26 N 1 42 32 75 W into the GE search box it will take you to No 2 Target Wall. The rest of what can be seen is quite evident from this view point. Visitors should be aware that occasionally live ordnance is still unearthed on the range and care should be exercised if anything suspicious does come to the surface.
Bomb Craters
Bombs craters are still very evident today and parts of the range resemble a lunar landscape. The main part of the range is littered with bomb craters, many now like small ponds full of water as detailed in the photograph below. Grid Reference SU 2019 1550
Chalk
As can be seen below, chalk is still much in evidence at the range even after all these years of closure.
Today where the chalk was used native plants will not grow, hence why the target markers have not become overgrown. Grid Reference SU 1977 1525
The Line Target
The Line Target is still very much in evidence although it does get a little difficult to trace after it has passed over the Submarine Pen. The targets termination is easily identifiable as a large white cross again marked by chalk. The target in its early stages resembles a long straight footpath cutting across the range. Grid Reference SU 1995 1396
The cross centre at the termination of the Line Target - Grid Reference SU 2041 1505
Wall Targets
With all the Wall Targets there is no effective way to photograph the remains in a way that gives much meaning. Therefore, I have listed the Grid References and explained what can be seen on the ground.
No 1 Wall Target
Not much evidence can be seen of this target at ground level, however, from GE its base impression can still be discerned on the ground. Grid Reference SU 1983 1532
No 2 Wall Target
This now appears on the ground as a large circle of ground that looks out of place to its surroundings. Again GE shows the target very clearly as a large sand coloured disk. The target is very large and there is no effective way to photograph it from ground level. Grid Reference SU 2052 1565
No 3 Wall Target
This now appears only as a long low mound of earth. The mound has thorn bushes growing on it and evidence of rubble. It is understood that the wall was undermined along its length and then simply pushed over and buried.
Ship Target
The remains of this target are still visible in the form a concrete base and some concrete foundations with metal bolts still in place. Grid Reference SU 1927 1522
On my visit the odd piece of metal plate was also visible on the ground.
Fragmentation Targets
Grid Reference A & B Target Area - SU 1964 1136
Grid Reference C & D Target Area - SU 2085 1467
All of the letters A, B, C, & D can still be seen on the ground although you need a GPS device to effectively find some of them. The photo below shows Target C
Ministry Of Home Security Target
The remains are still very much in evidence as a large mound of earth that covers the concrete structure. The structure was massively built and it was considered that demolition was not an option after the war. It was therefore simply covered over with earth. Concrete is starting to show through where erosion of the earth is taking place. Many people walk past this mound and would have no idea what its former use would have been. Grid Reference SU 2002 1412
Tallboy Crater
This crater was created by a 12,000Ib bomb and now resembles a small lake. It is often now used by New Forest ponies as a watering hole. This is the most obvious crater of its type. Incidentally the one and only live test Grand Slam crater was filled in after the war. The photograph below shows the Tall Boy crater with the Submarine Pen in the background. Grid Reference SU 1995 1407
Other Remains
Observation Hut
This is located near Amberwood and is one of the few remaining structures on the range. If you look carefully at the end wall of the hut you can see where an enterprising bricklayer has formed the letter V. Grid Reference SU 2194 1640
Detail display panels at the remains of The Main Practice Tower located on Hampton Ridge. Grid Reference SU 1882 1360
Located next to the Main Practice Tower is this large white concrete direction arrow which points towards Ley Gutter where an illuminated target was located. Grid Reference SU 1883 1359
The remains of cast concrete light boxes at the Illuminated Target location below Ley Gutter.
Grid Reference SU 1913 1279
Detail of an individual light box.
North Observation Tower Direction Arrow. Grid Reference SU 2031 1651
North Observation Tower Detail Display Panels.