Monument record MBC44988 - A Second World War roadside ammunition dump, Casemore Farm, Preston Bissett.
Summary
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 E facing side of the road leading south out of Preston Bissett village about 390 metres N of Casemore Farm and centred at SP 65598 28943, the ammunition storage area comprises 12 rectangular buildings, each about 5 x 3 metres and laid out in 6 pairs with long sides parallel with the road, extending over about 95 metres. These portable corrugated iron shelters, or hutments, were usually camouflaged and covered stacks of artillery or small arms ammunition. A local eyewitness recalls stockpiles of ammunition in the area that were kept by the roadside in small Nissen-type huts with tarpaulins on the ends. Roadside storage not only made the ammunition easily accessible but dispersed the risk of a large loss of munitions in the event of an explosion, whether accidental or the result of a German air raid. The munitions storage hutments are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 and 1947, but all have been demolished by 1949 (1-6).
Sources (6)
- <1>SBC26277 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2023. RAF-3G-TUD-UK-86 RV 6148 26-Mar-1946.
- <2>SBC26219 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2023. RAF-CPE-UK-2013 RS 4012 16-APR-1947.
- <3>SBC26280 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2023. RAF-541-340 RP 3180 26-Jul-1949.
- <4>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). Date Accessed 01-NOV-2022..
- <5>SBC26005 Digital archive: British Pathe. 2023. British Pathé. 1946. 1,500 Miles of Bombs Along Our Roads Aka Ammunition Dumps or Arms Dump. Date Accessed 01-NOV-2022..
- <6>SBC26267 Digital archive: BBC. 2023. CSV Actiondesk BBC Oxford. 2005. A wartime childhood on a farm in Buckinghamshire (Brenda North). Accessed Online 12-JUL-2023.
Location
Grid reference | SP 6559 2894 (point) |
---|---|
Civil Parish | PRESTON BISSETT, 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 6:54PM