Monument record MBC44781 - A Second World War roadside ammunition dump, Stowe Avenue.

Summary

A Second World War roadside ammunition dump is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the North Buckinghamshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18304).

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Map

Type and Period (3)

  • AMMUNITION DUMP (20th Century - 1900 AD to 1999 AD)
  • ARMAMENT DEPOT (20th Century - 1900 AD to 1999 AD)
  • MILITARY BUILDING (20th Century - 1900 AD to 1999 AD)

Description

A Second World War roadside ammunition dump is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the North Buckinghamshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18304). Located on the south-west facing side of Stowe Avenue and centred at SP 68820 34827, the ammunition storage area comprises 7 rectangular buildings about 5 x 3 metres, each spaced 7-8 metres apart and all with long sides parallel with the road, laid out over 86 metres. These portable corrugated iron shelters, or hutments, were usually camouflaged and covered stacks of artillery or small arms ammunition. Roadside storage not only made the ammunition easily accessible but dispersed the risk of a large loss of munitions in one event as a result of a German air raid. The munitions storage hutments are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946, but all features have been demolished by 1961 (1-4).

Sources (4)

  • <1>SBC26004 Digital archive: Center of Military History United States Army Department Washington. 1991. Mayo, L. 1991. United States Army in World War II: The Technical Services: The Ordnance Department: On Beachhead and Battlefront. Chapter 6: the Base in the British Isles (Pages 97-98).
  • <2>SBC26005 Digital archive: British Pathe. 2023. British Pathé. 1946. 1,500 Miles of Bombs Along Our Roads Aka Ammunition Dumps or Arms Dump.
  • <3>SBC26015 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2023. RAF-106G-UK-1380 RP 3072 09-APR-1946.
  • <4>SBC26027 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2023. RAF-543-1426 2F42 0354 28-AUG-1961.

Location

Grid reference SP 6882 3482 (point)
Civil Parish BUCKINGHAM, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Event - Survey: Aerial investigation and mapping project (Ref: 7768) (EBC18304)

Record last edited

Jan 12 2024 6:34PM

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