A place for some links and pictures etc. Links THE GUNNERY SCHOOL 100 Years of Firing At Lulworth Training Area - Inside DIO Lulworth Camp - Wikipedia Bindon Hill - Wikipedia Mission Statements The Armour Centre Men, Ideas, and Tanks https://forcesbovington.2day.uk/sit...ngton_HistoryBovingtonGarrison_1377076347.pdf R_Gunnery_School by Ramiles posted Mar 6, 2020 at 3:02 PM
24th L War Diary: Lulworth 18/4/44 The Sherman V (C) tanks of ‘A’ and ‘C’ Squadrons fired on the ranges. Milford on Sea 6/5/44 Firing of (24th L) Fireflies took place at Lulworth range. 7/5/44 Firing of (24th L) Fireflies took place at Lulworth range.
SRY War Diary... 14th April 1944 - Lt N Fearn reccéd a range at Lulworth for an “A” Sqn shoot. 18th April 1944 - The Reccé troop (and Gunnery Officer) left for the range at Lulworth (10 tanks). 19th April 1944 - 2/Lt D Elmore returned from course at Lulworth. 5th May 1944 - “A” Sqn (SRY) Fireflies went for a shoot at Lulworth. ----- x ----- 4/7 RDG April 1944 19 & 20 April 1944 - Maintenance and de-waterproofing. "A" Sqn fired 17-pdr at LULWORTH 22nd April 1944 - 3 tanks RHQ and 7 from "A" Sqn moved to LULWORTH preparatory to firing 75mm to-morrow. LULWORTH 23rd April 1944 - "A" & RHQ gunners fired at LULWORTH on the Heath range: "Super". HE ammunition was used and results were good. 6th May 1944 - A Sqn fired two new Fireflies at Lulworth to-day.
Being on the South coast, Lulworth Camp was subject to a number of hit and run attacks by fighter bombers during the war. Casualties were inflicted, Sgt Stephens was one such casualty, he is buried in West Lulworth Churchyard..
The Gunnery School - The Tank Museum https://www.facebook.com/profile/100069055507632/search/?q=Lulworth Including - The Tank Museum - The designers of what became the Sherman... The Tank Museum - A good view of the different turrets...
Many years since I visited the poignant lonely War Memorial standing in the Ranges on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Beautiful spot .. Always thought it was very fitting, still within the sound of the Guns. ( Are the Ranges still in use?)
There's still plenty about them being posted online as regards current use e.g. https://x.com/RoyalArmdCorps/status/1710555778778603750?s=20 It's a tad harder to find a very great deal about their use(s) during the Second World War - but as (in posts further above) they do get mentioned in war diaries and in veteran's memories.
Yes, the ranges,are very much in use,, with firing heard when courses are running. The South West Coast path runs through the ranges, but is only open when Army not using the area. They open it during holiday periods, details easily found online. A visit to Tyneham ruined village, requisitioned in the last war, gives insight into the take over and evacuation of villagers, who never returned
