Type Bombing Range Year built 1942 | In use 1942-1946 | |
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Ashley Range is a former World War II bombing range in the New Forest, Hampshire, England. It is located approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Lyndhurst and 14 miles (23 km) west of Southampton.
It was used as a testing range for the Barnes Wallis's Grand Slam bomb and also the Bouncing bomb used by the Dambusters.
Overview
The site was used to developed a more effective air-raid shelter, built over five and a half months at a cost of £250,000. Once complete, the site became the first anywhere in the world to be subjected to the devastating effect of Barnes Wallis's Grand Slam bomb, which was test-dropped on the site. After the end of the war, the site was returned to its natural state, and the concrete bunker was encased in a mound of dirt because it could not be demolished. Visitors today can still see the bomb craters, an observation shelter and chalk markings made on the ground in order to help bombers find their targets.