I am currently researching activities on Chobham Common. Does anyone have any information on the armoured vehicle exercises held on Chobham Common around WWII? I have that the Westminster Dragoons were exercising there in Aug 1940, and that the School of Tank Technology held 'demonstrations' on the Common (1943ish). Appararently, also, trials were held on flail vehicles for mine clearance. Also, there are signs of a camp on the edge of the Common. Popularly, it was a camp for the Canadians (who disappeared around 1942 - Dieppe?), a German PoW camp, an Italian PoW camp. Any information, please? Graham
I guess that you have searched the internet, there seems to be a lot of information on this establishment, where the Chobham armour was developed. In case you haven’t found them try these. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Vehicles_and_Engineering_Establishment http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/listing/object-205008967 http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Tank-Factory-Development-Establishment/dp/0750961228 http://www.britishpathe.com/video/armoured-cars http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/40/a4485440.shtml
And don't forget the Chobham treacle mines. http://www.treacleminer.com/Mines/Chobham.html Regards, Nick
There was a major battle here in the late 19th century recorded in an excellent book of the whole campaign by a Mr Wells I believe. Enemy had some amazing tanks but was eventially defeated by sophisticated biological weapons