WW2 Gunnery range - October 19th 2012
Article about: Hi all Well, after a couple of months waiting, it finally happened. The farmer ploughed the fields of the gunnery range I had visited back in July/August !!! Finally I could get to search th
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WW2 Gunnery range - October 19th 2012
Hi all
Well, after a couple of months waiting, it finally happened. The farmer ploughed the fields of the gunnery range I had visited back in July/August !!! Finally I could get to search the fields and not just the edges of them as on previous visits. I had managed to identify where the 2 inch mortar teams were aiming towards on previous visits. On this visit, I went with the intention of trying to pinpoint the firing point of the mortars, as it had so far eluded me. I was fairly sure I knew where it was, but hadn't been able to check in the past as I wasn't allowed to go ploughing through the crop, (pardon the pun).
If you want to see the action close up and personal, please take a look at the video of the dig...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNo2sx19bmE
Here is what I found.
First up, before any cleaning.....
There are more than 30 2 inch fins in that shot
And now, some of the bits after cleaning. 2 inch mortar fuzes, tails and safety caps. PIAT fuze holder, No. 36M grenade base and filler plugs, 303 cartridge and the best find of the day.....
Most of the fins had good markings on them, including the date.....
...and even one of the fuzes had managed to not corrode away where the stamp was.
and if there was any doubt, even the 303s confirmed the range was an old WW2 one.
These 2 inch mortar safety caps I was especially pleased with, finding them all in the area I thought may be the mortar firing positions. I was right !
Grenade base and filler plugs. I found lots of chunks of grenade in the same area so am fairly sure I've ID'd where they practised chucking nades
And lastly, this little beauty. Find of the day for me, by a mile.
No. 1 Mk 1 pull switch
Hope you like the finds.
Cheers
Steve T
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Re: WW2 Gunnery range - October 19th 2012
Great video Steve, I was surprised to see those fins and caps just laying on top of the soil, ripe for the taking. Are you planning to head back out there again? Thanks for showing!
regards,
Corey
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Re: WW2 Gunnery range - October 19th 2012
I will be doing yes Corey. Not sure when he's going to plant his winter crop so it will have to be soon
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Re: WW2 Gunnery range - October 19th 2012
Very cool Steve! You are lucky to have found such a place. Look forward to seeing your updates and videos. I like the 2 in fins, they are neat....but the MK1 pull switch is great
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Re: WW2 Gunnery range - October 19th 2012
Thanks guys.
LS - WH found a couple of the pull switches I think. I needed to get this lot cleaned and posted because of Sunday's RRPG dig !
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Re: WW2 Gunnery range - October 19th 2012
Good hunting Steve, the HE fuses are nice
by
Steve T
Thanks guys.
LS - WH found a couple of the pull switches I think
Yes i have found 3-4 of them, yours is a very nice one
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Re: WW2 Gunnery range - October 19th 2012
Thanks WH
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