Tag: military
-
RAF Fylingdales and The Big Freeze of 1963
As we batten down the hatches in preparation for Storm Isha, the more mature of you might remember the so-called ‘Big Freeze of 1963‘, during the winter of that year. It stood as one of the coldest winters since the notorious one of 1946/7. Temperatures plummeted, leading to the freezing of lakes and rivers. The…
-
Scallywag hideout
A few weeks ago I had a tip off about a WW2 ‘Auxiliary Unit‘ operations base above Danby Park overlooking Castleton (thanks, Chris). This would have been the hideout for a special detachment of the Home Guard which would have operated as a guerrilla force in the event of a German invasion. Although these were…
-
Balfour Coast Battery, Hoxa Head
During both World Wars, Scapa Flow in the Orkney archipelago was used as a naval anchorage for the British fleet. To protect the southern entrance to the anchorage, gun batteries were established at Hoxa Head and on the island of Flotta. At Hoxa, concrete buildings, foundation and plinths still remain, most relating to the World…
-
Duncombe Park Army Camp
About 3km after crossing Rievaulx Bridge with its opportunity to gaze at the majestic abbey, the Cleveland Way crosses a concrete road at Griff Lodge. Here the National Trail bears left to Helmsley avoiding Duncombe Park. The concrete road is a reminder of the military presence during WW2 at Duncombe Park. Following it through Park…