World War Two Airfields and Memorial in The New Forest скачать в хорошем качестве

World War Two Airfields and Memorial in The New Forest

What can we see today? During World War Two there were 12 airfields in The New Forest and surrounding areas. We can see evidence of some of these airfields today - this video shows you where to look. You might be surprised what you can see beneath your feet! If you’d like to know more about the New Forest WW2 airfields, I’ve added some links below. I particularly recommend the videos and websites of Marc Heighway – search on YouTube for @trexplorerUK • RAF Beaulieu (USAAF Station AAF 408) • RAF Bisterne (USAAF Station AAF 415) • RAF Calshot / RNAS Calshot • RAF Christchurch (USAAF Station AAF 416) • RAF Holmsley South airfield (USAAF Station AAF 455) • RAF Hurn (USAAF Station AAF 492) • RAF Ibsley (USAAF Station AAF 347) • RAF Lymington (USAAF Station AAF 551) • RAF Needs Oar Point • RAF Stoney Cross airfield (USAAF Station AAF 452) • RAF Winkton (USAAF Station AAF 414) • Sway Emergency Landing Ground 5 Places to see New Forest history - FREE:    • Don't miss these free historical sites in ...   D-Day Anniversary Playlist (all 7 videos):    • 80th anniversary of D-Day   #newforest #ww2 #newforesthistory #VE80 Please subscribe to our channel, to help it grow!    / @livinginthenewforest   If you like this video, please click on the Like button and consider subscribing to our channel, which would be much appreciated. By also clicking on the bell icon, you will receive notification of all future uploads. Thanks very much! If you are interested in nature, historic town walks, travel videos and more you might be interested in our other channel 'The Country Traveller':    / @thecountrytraveller   #newforest #livinginthenewforest #leavenotrace #add3minutes #realnewforest #wildnewforest #onewithnature The New Forest played a significant and varied role during World War II, with its landscapes transformed for military use. Here's an overview of the key activities and events that happened in the area: 🪖 Military Training and Bases Troop Training: The dense woodlands and varied terrain of the New Forest made it ideal for military exercises, including training for commandos and paratroopers. Canadian Troops: Many Canadian soldiers were stationed in the New Forest in the lead-up to D-Day. Camps were scattered throughout the area, including at Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, and Lyndhurst. Camp Infrastructure: Temporary camps, hospitals, and facilities were built in clearings, with many leaving little trace today except for some concrete foundations and memorials. ✈️ Airfields and D-Day Preparations Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs): Several temporary airfields were constructed in the forest, such as at Holmsley South, Stoney Cross, and Needs Oar Point. These were used by RAF and USAAF aircraft in the run-up to and after D-Day. D-Day Launch: The New Forest was a key staging area for the Normandy invasion (Operation Overlord). Troops, vehicles, and equipment assembled in the forest before heading to embarkation points, including Lepe Beach. 🕵️‍♂️ Special Operations and Espionage Beaulieu Estate: Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects—Beaulieu was home to a secret Special Operations Executive (SOE) training school. Agents were trained here in espionage, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare before being sent into occupied Europe. The estate’s role was so secret that even locals were often unaware of what was going on behind its gates. 🛡️ Defensive Installations Anti-invasion defenses: Pillboxes, tank traps, and barbed wire defenses were installed in the area in case of a German invasion. Coastal areas near the New Forest had additional fortifications and monitoring. 🚑 Hospitals and Recovery Brockenhurst had been a military hospital hub since WWI, and this continued into WWII. Wounded Allied soldiers were treated there after returning from France. 🌳 Legacy Today You can still find remnants of airfields, training grounds, and memorials scattered throughout the forest. Some walking routes pass by old wartime sites, and local museums (like the New Forest Heritage Centre) cover the wartime history in more depth. Attributions: Beaulieu Airfield 1942 Royal Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Thanks to Mark Heighway for his knowledgeable advice and use of images