Monument record MBC47966 - ROADSIDE AMMUNITION DUMPS, BOTOLPH CLAYDON

A Second World War roadside ammunition dump is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Aylesbury Vale Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18604). Located opposite the entrance to Phoenix Fruit Farm on the south side of the roadside between Middle Claydon and Botolph Claydon villages and centred at SP 72606 24661, the ammunition storage area comprises 11 rectangular buildings, each about 5 x 3 metres, set out in 5 pairs and a single building, all with long sides perpendicular to the road and extending over about 101 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 1947, but all have been demolished by 1949 (1-5).