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Trexplorer
Великобритания
Добавлен 3 фев 2008
WW2 history in the New Forest and Hampshire. Includes the New Forest airfields.
Secret Germ Warfare Tests at Beaulieu Airfield, New Forest
As you know, I am extremely interested in the history of the New Forest airfields, including RAF Beaulieu. I hope you find this interview as interesting as I did to conduct it, as it's a fascinating part of history and something that's not overly known about as far as I can tell. I first found out about it whilst reading old newspapers from the late 1990s.
In simple terms, in the 1950s, biological, chemical, and germ warfare tests were conducted on Beaulieu Airfield in complete secret.
I have no view either way on whether public health was at risk, so have an unbiased position.
Here's the lowdown:
// Porton Down's tests at Beaulieu Airfield in the New Forest //
During the Cold War, British m...
In simple terms, in the 1950s, biological, chemical, and germ warfare tests were conducted on Beaulieu Airfield in complete secret.
I have no view either way on whether public health was at risk, so have an unbiased position.
Here's the lowdown:
// Porton Down's tests at Beaulieu Airfield in the New Forest //
During the Cold War, British m...
Просмотров: 407
Видео
August 1943: The Darkest Month in RAF Beaulieu's History
Просмотров 1,6 тыс.21 день назад
In August 1943, twenty-three Czechoslovaks and six Canadians were killed in five separate incidents after taking off from Beaulieu Airfield. This makes it the darkest month in terms of fatalities when operational as a WW2 airfield in the New Forest. In this film I visit the crash site of one of aircraft involved in these tragedies with my friend Richard Reeves to pay our respects. The men kille...
I Have a Question For You...
Просмотров 292Месяц назад
Please do comment and tell me what you think. To learn more about Lt. Robert C. Steinhaus of the 323rd Bomb Group who was killed at Beaulieu Airfield on August 2nd, 1944, please visit: rafbeaulieu.co.uk/robert-steinhaus-incident-beaulieu/ My Twitter is x.com/NewForestRamble
Bronze Age to WW2 Anti-Invasion Defences in 13 Steps
Просмотров 552Месяц назад
The east of Beaulieu Heath in the New Forest contains a Bronze Age cemetery with several barrows (aka burial mounds). They have an intriguing link to two further pieces of fascinating history including a late 1800s rifle range and then anti-invasion measures taken in 1940. You can clearly see where anti-landing trenches were dug into the New Forest heathland to deter invading German airborne fo...
Trenches & Tree Carvings in New Forest (left by Canadians in WW2?)
Просмотров 341Месяц назад
It appears that in WW2 and 1943 Canadian troops left very visible (and personal) marks in the New Forest which you can still see today in Dibden Inclosure... Here's a piece of hidden WW2 history I walked past earlier and thought you might find interesting.
The USAAF 365th Fighter Group (aka Hell Hawks) at Beaulieu Airfield
Просмотров 1,5 тыс.2 месяца назад
➜ rafbeaulieu.co.uk This short film is in memory of the 17 American airmen who died flying with the 365th Fighter Group aka the Hell Hawks whilst on operations out of RAF Beaulieu / Beaulieu Airfield / USAAF Station 408 in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. The 365th Fighter Group flew P-47 Thunderbolts and were based at Beaulieu from the beginning of March to the end of June 1944, including D...
The Shed With a Hidden Secret: But What Is It?
Просмотров 1,7 тыс.6 месяцев назад
This week I was on the trail again to find the New Forest auxiliary units. Just chasing up some leads that had come in since that Podcast with Dan Snow and the team from CART. ➜ Listen to the podcast: podfollow.com/dan-snows-history-hit/episode/d6714ba54608ec41451b246519c77a64a2e17aab/view
Andrej Šimek of No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron: The 32nd Man
Просмотров 1888 месяцев назад
➜ The Tribute to (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF: ruclips.net/video/1PcYPJCvOq4/видео.html ➜ Photos & more detail: rafbeaulieu.co.uk/andrej-simek-of-311-czechoslovak-sqdn/ Andrej Šimek was born in 1920 in Zarnovica and in wartime was a Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with the 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF. August 30 was his first operational flight as a wireless operator and air gunner on the A...
The New Forest WW2 Airfields: Then vs Now
Просмотров 8 тыс.10 месяцев назад
➜ nfhwa.org/ww2-new-forest-airfields-map/ Click the link to see a map of the New Forest Airfields from WW2. The New Forest area is often said to have had 12 wartime airfields during the Second World War... but this isn’t strictly true. Hurn and Christchurch fell just outside the New Forest boundary. But during WW2, both were operationally integrated with the other local airfields. Plus Calshot ...
In Memorial to No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF at Beaulieu Airfield
Просмотров 75411 месяцев назад
I was recently sent some memorial bouquets by the Free Czechoslovak Air Force Associates Ltd to place at RAF Beaulieu Airfield. I went out and took photos of them, and also visited the New Forest Airfields Memorial. The men who died are: Wg/Cdr Jindřich Breitcetl DFC Sgt Josef Felkl F/Lt František Fencl F/Sgt Jozef Halada Sgt Vilda Jakš P/O Emilián Mrázek F/O Eduard Pavelka F/Sgt Michal Pizúr F...
Lepe ROC Post & Excavating a Buried ROC Bunker in Lyndhurst
Просмотров 1,4 тыс.Год назад
This segment of film about the Lepe and Lyndhurst ROC posts was originally broadcast on BBC One South in 2012. ➜ The New Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association. nfhwa.org - regular guest speaker talks, videos, and research.
Hunting for Underground Bunkers with Dan Snow
Просмотров 750Год назад
A few weeks ago I teamed up with Dan Snow, the famous historian, and an expert team to go hunting for hidden underground bunkers in the New Forest. Our aim was to see if we could uncover any evidence of the Auxiliary Units whose operational bases have remained hidden for over 80 years. ➜ Listen to the podcast: podfollow.com/dan-snows-history-hit/episode/d6714ba54608ec41451b246519c77a64a2e17aab/...
The Deadliest Wartime Air Crash in New Forest History
Просмотров 3,8 тыс.Год назад
On Friday the 13th of August, 1943, thirteen men were killed when two aircraft collided over the village of Sway in the New Forest. A Vickers Wellington of 407 Squadron (RCAF) left RAF Chivenor in Devon on an anti-submarine patrol. On returning to the English coastline, bad weather including fog meant it was diverted to land at Beaulieu Airfield in the New Forest. A few hours later, the tired c...
Restoring the Beaulieu Letters at East Boldre Airfield in 2012 on the BBC
Просмотров 1 тыс.Год назад
➜ The New Forest & Hampshire Wartime Association. nfhwa.org - regular guest speaker talks, videos, and research. This video is a segment from a programme originally broadcast on BBC One South in 2012 about the New Forest's wartime activities. This part of the film shows the villagers of East Boldre restoring the Beaulieu chalk letters on the site of the WW1 airfield. Those who took part in the ...
Ashley Walk Bombing Range on BBC (Grand Slam, Target Arrow, Bouncing Bomb)
Просмотров 4,2 тыс.Год назад
Ashley Walk Bombing Range on BBC (Grand Slam, Target Arrow, Bouncing Bomb)
The BEAULIEU Letters "No Drone" Hack (+ Pundit Code)
Просмотров 1,1 тыс.2 года назад
The BEAULIEU Letters "No Drone" Hack ( Pundit Code)
RAF Beaulieu History Exhibition June 2022 (East Boldre Village Hall)
Просмотров 5702 года назад
RAF Beaulieu History Exhibition June 2022 (East Boldre Village Hall)
Possible Machine Gun Pit at Beaulieu Airfield + Plus Update
Просмотров 5402 года назад
Possible Machine Gun Pit at Beaulieu Airfield Plus Update
WW2 Pillboxes & Destroyed Air Raid Shelter in Ringwood
Просмотров 8512 года назад
WW2 Pillboxes & Destroyed Air Raid Shelter in Ringwood
WW2 History in Hamble, Southampton (Bunkers, Guns, Pillboxes, XDO Posts)
Просмотров 1,7 тыс.2 года назад
WW2 History in Hamble, Southampton (Bunkers, Guns, Pillboxes, XDO Posts)
Ashley Walk's Observation Shelter (Site of Bouncing Bomb Tests)
Просмотров 8212 года назад
Ashley Walk's Observation Shelter (Site of Bouncing Bomb Tests)
The Moors Valley WW2 Decoy Bunker - See Inside
Просмотров 6812 года назад
The Moors Valley WW2 Decoy Bunker - See Inside
Visiting a HUGE Underground Air Raid Shelter
Просмотров 4082 года назад
Visiting a HUGE Underground Air Raid Shelter
Secret D-Day Tunnels: UGHQ Underground WW2 Bunker (Fort Southwick)
Просмотров 1,4 тыс.3 года назад
Secret D-Day Tunnels: UGHQ Underground WW2 Bunker (Fort Southwick)
Britain’s Best Disguised WW2 Pillbox: The Beaulieu Dairy House
Просмотров 5 тыс.3 года назад
Britain’s Best Disguised WW2 Pillbox: The Beaulieu Dairy House
WW2 History Walk: Beaulieu Road & Yew Tree Heath (New Forest)
Просмотров 2 тыс.3 года назад
WW2 History Walk: Beaulieu Road & Yew Tree Heath (New Forest)
Follow Up on the Drache FA 223 Burial Story
Просмотров 4,3 тыс.3 года назад
Follow Up on the Drache FA 223 Burial Story
RAF Beaulieu Virtual Tour + WW2 Airfield Overview
Просмотров 3,5 тыс.3 года назад
RAF Beaulieu Virtual Tour WW2 Airfield Overview
FA 223 Drache: The Story of the Focke-Achgelis Helicopter
Просмотров 14 тыс.3 года назад
FA 223 Drache: The Story of the Focke-Achgelis Helicopter
Finding the WW2 Bomb Practice Target at RAF Beaulieu Airfield
Просмотров 1,4 тыс.3 года назад
Finding the WW2 Bomb Practice Target at RAF Beaulieu Airfield
I remeber seeing posters when I served in the Navy asking for volunteers to take part in research at Porton down inthe 60,.Iwas never tempted by the money on offer .Especially after theSarin scandal. Another dark chapter is the discharge of radioactive material from Winfrith atomic energy research establishment and I believe tests connected to test contamination around the area.
Blimey, not the first person who has told me that. Crazy
We never really know what is happening , i can remember a news article about so called flue various be sprayed from boats along the Dorset coast 60s / 70s ? thanks for the interesting article.
Thank you for listening. The chap I interview, Mike Kenner, says he'd love to come back again and tell us more. If enough people are interested, I will certainly ask him as I am sure he might be able to offer more detail on your comment. Thank you.
A fascinating story. When I was a student apprentice with GEC in the early 1960s all the approved fixings were plated with cadmium. On a cold Essex morning the ex-service men who maintained the MoD reference high power radar systems would hang their legs over the side of the reflector using the radiation to warm themselves. Live high voltage transmitter tubes in the lab. just had a flimsy plastic fence around them, no warning signs or flashing lights. A colleague was killed by radiation leaking from waveguide that fried his liver. It was a different world back then so for an extra 10 bob & a few days off volunteers were plentiful.
Cheers Philip, lovely to hear from you. What a crazy story... someone has already told me today how they were in the RAF in the 1960 and 70s and were offered a few "bob" extra pay, volunteering to do "common cold and influenza research" at Porton Down. They didn't take the offer up!
what a great video, the times I have camped at Roundhill and wandered onto the airfield, now your video has brought all of that to life and a better understanding, thanks
Thank you Alan, I made this a few years ago, so one or two errors and a bit cringe for me! I did make a Pt2 also on RUclips that you can find where I walk at Roundhill. You will find lots about the airfield on my channel - thank you for watching
Really informative videos.I have a specific interest in Holmsley as I've camped there as a kid to adulthood however there wasn't a lot of information available back in the eighties as there is now.
Hi Stephen, thank you for the comment, always fantastic to hear from others interested in the airfields. I've not camped at Holmsley, but a few times at Beaulieu. Love it. Take care
Thank you 💗
and thank you too for watching and commenting
Great video. Subscribed. I was on the airfield today. Slightly eerie and thought provoking.
@@MrBrianc1975 thanks for the comment, it’s an incredible place
@TrexplorerUK thanks, I need to spend some more time there now I've watched your videos. I see the legend that is richard reeves makes an appearance in a few of them, we were at college together back in the early 90s. His knowledge of the forest is amazing.
@@MrBrianc1975 A yes, he's a very good friend of mine, and I owe him a lot! We chatted the other day about doing more, so watch this space.
@TrexplorerUK brilliant, I look forward to see future videos. 😀
Yes definitely. These stories need to be heard.
thank you Keith, the last couple of weeks I've started to add more of them - cheers for your support
went to visit them but got stopped on private land
Airfield dispersal areas know colloquially as Pans.
The brave Czechoslovaks made a lot of sacrifices. The 311 Sqn based at Beaulieu had the highest casualty rates of any Czech Sqn in WW2.
Yet again Marc, a wonderful tribute by you and Richard, am trying to post a picture here but can't find a way?
Thank you so much! I don't think that's possible but you are more than welcome to email me. If you click the more link on my channel home page it has ways to contact me. www.youtube.com/@TrexplorerUK
Absolutely yes, these stories are very important to tell. We should never forget the sacrifices they all made. 🤍
@@louise2055 thanks Louise, I’ve just released one today so hope you can catch that
There is such a wealth of information on our doorstep and beaulieu airfield is a fine example,most of what you show I had little or no knowledge of,it would be amazing if one day someone would do a guided tour of this airfield as I’m sure there will be many takers and it would be great to keep the history of beaulieu airfield alive. I regularly visit the airfield but a lot of what you show eludes me,I’ve tried following coordinates of some that you post but my phone has no signal up at the airfield. Thanks again for the fantastic video and the great insight into the history that is on our doorstep
Hi Lucas, thank you so much for commenting. As it happens, myself and Richard who was in the video have been speaking with Forestry England to seek permissions possibly next year, to do walks in the Forest. If that happens, I can email you - sign up here for news on walks (at the moment just talks we do): nfhwa.org/events/
Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing the content you post on here so please continue to do so all history matters :)
Thanks Lucas, I appreciate you watching and commenting
Yes, most definitely. It is very important we should not forget the war and the sacrifices made for us. Thank you for your research and producing such interesting You Tube videos.
thank you Sue
Yes, the stories you tell are very important and I'm glad you make them and I'm sure others agree with me. Thanks for making them.
Cheers Matt
Very important to keep these stories going Mark. I’d be happy and I’m guessing others too would be interested
Cheers Billy, appreciate you watching and commenting 🙂
These stories are vitally important as they chart the bravery of these people who put everything on the line even though they were so far from home,so much is unknown, if it wasn't for your channel telling us all ,we would more than likely never of known.
Thank you Gaz, you too with what you do - I encourage people to check your creations out!
@TrexplorerUK cheers Marc much appreciated!
The story of the war can only be understood at a personal level. That’s where the lessons are, and that’s what makes it relevant and timeless.
Thank you x
Hey marc Yes you should put it on RUclips more as live local plus it might be something we could show at scouts Kenton
Thank you Kenton that's a great idea - you guys do an amazing job.
Yes, more RUclips please. I live nearby and want to soak up the local history of where I moved to 20 months ago. Cheers !!!
Thanks Antony, where (ish) in the area are you? I could look up something more local than usual for you.
@@TrexplorerUK I'm in Holbury, so close to Lepe, Exbury and of course Beaulieu and the routes past the old airfield to either Lymington or Brockenhurst. Cheers 👍
@@antonyroe1596 My stamping ground so makes it easy - here's one I recorded just west of the Old Mill in Holbury a few weeks ago, if you missed it: ruclips.net/video/RDcvmDtolXA/видео.html
Brilliant, I did miss this one and given that the Old Mill is a place I visit quite often (for refreshment of course), I'll be watching closely. I'm loving exploring this new area to me and whilst I love the nature and scenery, it is so much better when you can add in a historical element to where you are. Cheers my friend. @@TrexplorerUK
Yes, these are important parts of history, especially poignant that a young life was lost, thousands of miles from his home.
So true, some never got taken home either which I find incredibly sad. Was reading letters the other day written by RAF men to families in Canada informing them their son had died, and a burial had already taken place in the New Forest.
Yeah mate put those videos up on here . I’m not on twitter but am on Instagram but I’m guessing you don’t upload there ?
Cheers mate, I have an account under NewForestRamble but not really used it yet - do you recommend?
@@TrexplorerUK Yes you can do short video stories and reels on there . I’m sure it won’t harm to just post on there as well as the other platforms. I’ll look you up
@@newforestexplorer thanks will look into it
yes more stories
Cheers Robb
Yes, very definitely these stories would be interesting. I came across one a couple of months ago. Maybe your familiar with Dead Man's wood on Portsdown Hill. Its called so because the copse was planted to provide a beacon to Portsmouth Airport and later several memorial stones were placed there three remain but one has lost the metal plaque telling the story of Wilfred Hanbury Granville-Grey killed in action at Festubert 1915. We used to play wides games up there in the scouts but I never knew why it was called that back then. The internet is a big place you may find someone linked to the stories All the best!!
I wasn't aware David, a rabbit hole for me to look down later!
Before i even watch your video and i will in due course... YES please... No one should be forgotten from our past struggle.. We should all know there stories. I am local (Poole) and very interseted in our ww1 and ww2 history
Cheers Stefan, so true
All way's interested in local history of these airfields , thank you for telling these stories, please keep up the good work that you are doing.
thank you that's so kind of you to say
These stories are important
Very
Great video and interesting area! Cheers, Marc! 😀👍
Thank you for watching, really appreciate you taking time to comment too :-)
@@TrexplorerUK You are very welcome!
Fantastic piece of film. Well done!
try my best!
Great video 🎉
Cheers mate! Didn't know you were lurking..
Splendid video Marc. I enjoyed watching that. Cheers.
Thanks Dave that means a lot coming from your goodself. If you and Logan ever fancy another walk about please do say. Perhaps one day we should do a collaborative effort. Take care friend, :-)
That's another of your really brilliant videos. Congratulations Marc.
Aw thanks, I love doing them and the creative process so glad you do too
@@TrexplorerUK Thanks Marc.
Thanks Marc that's really interesting. I knew about the mounds but not the range or the anti aircraft trenches. There were also anit aircraft guns on the heath weren't there? We lived in Solent Road and all the ceilings had been replaced with hardboard. The reason for this we were always told was the guns on the Heath caused the original ceilings to crack and come down. Not sure if this was true though.
Hi Dave, thank you! There was a heavy AA gunsite at Hardley, I've pinned the position on the map link below. There were also guns in what is now the car park at Dibden Inclosure so it would have been very noisy at points. maps.app.goo.gl/bh1tuqoL4AmUJTKt5
Don't laugh... But for many years I thought that the hatched marks, seen from the air, were just schematics for the general area of defences. I didn't realise they were the actual positions. 🙄. P. S. No doubt you've seen the additional small square concrete blocks, between the ditches at Beaulieu airfield. I assume these were additional obstacles?
I can see why you would have thought that, makes sense! Re: concrete blocks, I might have done, I have seen a few but not really put them into any context. Whether they are the same you are thinking of I don't know, perhaps drop a google map pin and we can figure it out?
Amazing info as normal thanks
@@sarahgradidge5966 thanks Sarah 😀
Thank you for the video. My father, Lt. JL McWhorter was a Hell Hawk P-47?pilot that supported allied troops at the time of the D-Day invasion.
Hello, thank you for getting in touch, it's always a privilege to hear from family members. Are there any recollections or anecdotes about Beaulieu Airfield you are able to share which might have been passed down to you please?
I went to stoney cross the other day, you can see gravel patches from the old runway and the old outline. The sortie area is now a campsite.
Hi Harold, thank you for the comment. I am planning on camping there this summer as it happens, so if I get a chance will shoot some film. All the best 🙂
Well spotted on those trees. Very interesting!! All the best
Thank you - I can't take the credit for finding those exactly. someone else showed me. But once I started looking found more and more out there from different people. I did spot the trench though.... if it is a trench and I suspect it is.
Brought back memories of the late forties/fifties in the Forest. Stoney Cross was my favourite as I had a go cart to go round the perimeter in. My father a former Mossie pilot/instructor used to drive along the main runway with me, giving the take off drill; pushing the car to 80 mph was thrilling. All gone now. So much history in the Forest so quickly lost. Glad you are documenting what is left. Perhaps a visit to the bombing range at Godshill Fordingbridge would be interesting. A drone view would be great.
Great memory, thank you for sharing. I do plan on Ashley Walk as it happens, as I know it very well. Hopefully one day
Was there yesterday and no sign of the information board sadly.
When we've been, sometimes the entrance has been open, other times the gate locked. It does appear to be a target for vandals sadly.
Thanks for an excellent video . My uncle , Don Newcomb, was a Hell Hawk . He joined the group when it was formed and was killed in action , July 11th , 1944 . He was just 23 . He will always be our hero !
Hi Rob, thanks for watching and the mention of Don. I am aware of Don as have a record of him flying in operations from Beaulieu so am glad you got to see some of the landscape. I wish I could have included all the pilots in this film, including him, but not to be this time. Perhaps I can make some more, I hope so!
There is film of his plane at Beaulieu code D5-N . He did not fly D-Day ops as he was grounded with a tonsillitis.
This is a great watch,especially when Marc explains about the operations and ironically a WW2 Harvard flies over above the Beaulieu airfield ,probably exactly the same aircraft they likely would of trained to get them ready for the P-47 Thunderbolt .It is mentioned how these American USAAF pilots were very brave and determined especially being so far from home, it must of felt like another world to them back then.
@@SpitfireCGI thanks Gaz it was such an amazing coincidence and I couldn’t help but relate it to Stanley flying off into the clouds.
@TrexplorerUK I thought that too,it was exactly when you mentioned his name.
@@SpitfireCGI Yep, it can be quite an atmospheric place at times. If you ever fancy a walkabout there, do say if you come this way.
@@TrexplorerUK i bet and yes will do.
Thank you for your video and information about the 365th. My great uncle 2nd Lt. Jesse Rouintree joined the Hell Hawks after they moved to France. He was killed while on a ground attack flight on September 18, 1944 when 40 FW190's attacked the formation. His crash site was located in the Netherlands in 1946.
Hello Charles thank you so much for sharing his story: to date my knowledge of the hell hawks is very limited to their time in England. I plan to find out more about their time post June 1944 soon so will learn more about Jesse thank you
my daddy was a P-51 pilot in the 356th.
his name 2LT Thomas F Miller. was was credited with 5.25 kills. He survived the war, which was lucky for me as I was born in 1948.
I myself, am a veteran of the TET Offensive of 1968.
Hi Clarence thank you for sharing that with me. What a legend ❤
Thank you for your video. As an American who has always had an interest in the 2nd World War and also the 8th Air Force, your video was very interesting to me.
@@darrengilbert7438 hi Darren thanks for watching and leaving a comment it’s appreciated 😀