RAF Beaulieu Walk #1: History of the WW2 New Forest Airfield

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Күн бұрын

➜ Watch Part 2 for another walk showing even more WW2 relics at Beaulieu Airfield
• RAF Beaulieu Walk #2: ...
➜ Photos & more info rafbeaulieu.co.uk/
Please Note: Since publishing this video I have discovered that I would be breaking several laws if I was to go come back and clean the pundit code. As such, it's not something I will be considering.
Come with me on a Beaulieu airfield walk as I explore all that's left from RAF Beaulieu's history. I discover the control tower area, the bomb store at Hawkhill Inclosure, Roundhill campsite's water tower, and even 2 surviving RAF Beaulieu air raid shelters... I then try to find an old Second World War pillbox, stumbling across a grass snake as I go.
** RAF Beaulieu History **
RAF Beaulieu on Beaulieu Heath opened in 1942 and was one of 12 airfields in the New Forest during the second world war. It was initially run by the RAF and then later the US Air Force, and had a range of nationalities on the 2,000 strong staff.
It eventually closed in 1958 with the majority of the buildings being demolished… and now nature has truly taken over.
** RAF Beaulieu Airfield Walk **
Join me as I explore RAF Beaulieu’s history on a 2 hour Beaulieu airfield walk around the perimeter, taking in lots of interesting sights such as:
- Control tower
- Pundit code
- Signals mortar
- Bomb store
- Hangars
- Air raid shelters
- Roundhill campsite’s water tower
** Read more about RAF Beaulieu **
rafbeaulieu.co.uk/
** References **
Thanks to Dave Ford of Dave’s Countryside Walks for a few facts I’d not heard before. You can check his channel out on:
/ @daveford
The footage of the Liberator planes and fighters taking off was from this archive footage:
• No 311 'Czechoslovak' ...
Apologies for the poor sound quality in places. New equipment now purchased for the next video.
#rafbeaulieu #ww2 #newforest
Music licensed via StorytBlocks.com
- Beautiful Piano by Jason Donnelly
- Sleeping Peacefully by Neil Cross
- Deep in the Bayou by Patrick Smith
- The Champion Sting 01 by Marc Robillard
- Escaping Forever by Michael Vignola

Пікірлер: 55

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

MISTAKEs & ERRORS: On 3 mins and 35 seconds I walk up onto a raised area of concrete and claim I am stood on the foundations on the control tower. I have since done more research and realise this wasn't the case, and I was actually stood on what would have been the signals area. The control tower would have been set further back and had a much wider building footprint. I have also discovered that I would be breaking several laws if I was to go come back and clean the pundit code. As such, it's not something I will be considering

@antonyroe1596 8 күн бұрын

Hi @Trexplorer - I moved to this part of the area 19 months ago and thank you for filling in so many gaps in my knowledge of what this area was like and that now love so much to call home. Cheers!

@TrexplorerUK 8 күн бұрын

@@antonyroe1596 hi Antony thank you! This video is quite old now and there are a couple of errors in it so I cringe a little now watching it but so glad people still enjoy it all this time later! I’ve got a video coming out tomorrow about Beaulieu airfield so I hope you will catch that. I think I scheduled it to publish at noon. Thanks again!

@antonyroe1596 8 күн бұрын

@@TrexplorerUK Thanks very much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. I have walked miles around Beaulieu and the surrounding areas and whilst I liked where I lived before (the Isle of Wight) these walks are so much better when you can add a bit of history or context to where you are. I often follow Dave Ford's walks and will now add your explorations to my "to do " list. I need 50 years or more to cover the areas I wish to walk in and explore for the first time. Thanks for the inspiration, cheers!

@robertgarrett4046 3 жыл бұрын

This is my neck of the woods as I WAS BORN not far from Beaulieu in Southampton ,and I know the old Airfields in this area , you have done a great video . Rob.

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Robert, always great to hear comments as I love doing this, so amazing other people do to. This place fascinates me, it's easy to just think it's a large heath with nothing there anymore, but once you look closer you see all sorts. Not sure if you have managed to see it, but I did a follow up too with other areas - you can see that here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/lct1e86rzNe1k2Q.html

@Mrcrazyz 2 жыл бұрын

I live in hythe

@robertgarrett4046 2 жыл бұрын

@@Mrcrazyz HI HARLEY , I KNOW HYTHE WELL AS I HAVE FAMILY WHO LIVE THERE JUST LIKE YOU . ALL THE BEST ROB.

@markparsons8672 3 жыл бұрын

Hi - I believe we met near the pundit code earlier today. Yes - we found the air raid shelters!

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

Haha yes, I love RAF Beaulieu so great meeting other people who do too! Glad you found the shelters, wasn't sure if I had described the location well enough. A bit further down past Roundhill there are some other interesting huts left - an amazing place. I try to update a website I made with all the things I research if you are interested in this kind of thing: rafbeaulieu.co.uk - great meeting you - hope you end up finding more, I do every time I go there.

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

PS: If you use Facebook there's a community of us who talk about the local airfields etc: facebook.com/groups/400948317956198

@markparsons8672 3 жыл бұрын

Actually it was the handcraft huts we found but having now seen your video(s) we now know where the air raid shelters are......so next weekend!

@MarcHeighway 3 жыл бұрын

@@markparsons8672 Brilliant - there are some you might not have seen as well down that way - more hidden on the private land. People still actually live in them. There are some photos on this page (you have to scroll down). But mad to think people still live in them now:

@davidstewart4825 8 ай бұрын

powerful ending and quite moving....

@TrexplorerUK 8 ай бұрын

Thanks David, I created the film a couple of years ago. There's so much more I know about the men now which I wish I could have added. Perhaps I might make an update some time. Thank you for watching.

@eveshamsaint 3 жыл бұрын

Great stuff! Reminded me of my childhood. I grew up in Pilley and as kids we would walk across the forest to the airfield site, and dig for bullets at the old rifle range located on the south side. We used to walk past some old AA emplacements on the way, but not sure I could find them now, we even found old shells there! I went to William Gilpin school in Pilley and there used to be an engraved stone on the old toilet block honouring some Canadian pilots whose Liberator came down in the woods next to the school on the way back to RAF Beaulieu. We were always told that the large gravel pile visible from the main road before you get to the airfield turning was there for the planes to test fire their guns on take off, but not sure how true that was. Certainly never found any bullets there anyway! Thanks for the memories!

@MarcHeighway 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind comments, these are my videos. I've fallen in love with this part of the Forest, and am planning on making a series about the RAF Beaulieu site as I learn more as I go along. People like you have been a great help! In fact, I published a new video 2 days ago about the northern side. If you haven't seen it, it's here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d9uRasp-2829l40.html - if you have any memories of this I would love to hear them? Also, I think I know the location you are talking about. From what I understand it was used as target practice, but possibly by troops. If you use Facebook, I have a group on there where another person who has childhood memories of playing where you did was recently sharing memories about the hump being used for target practice. A local archaeologist also helped us figure out the truth: facebook.com/groups/400948317956198 Plus, I would love to know what years your memories are from? I am attempting to collate people's memories of RAF Beaulieu to eventually publish online for people to read in one place. I hope you would be okay with that and can give me some years as would be fantastic to know. Thanks! Marc

@rancidschannel3206 Жыл бұрын

Very true about the last walk very poiniant

@Julienmcgowan 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video - I often walk these airfields and try to connect to the amazing history - nicely done . I hope the water tower stays in situ for a while longer - all the others are demolished at the other local airfields ... such a shame they were all demolished .

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Larker, I completely agree with the connecting to history aspect. I've recently stumbled across some stories of people who worked on the airfield, or flew from it - that really helps to paint the mental picture better too. I hope the water tower remains, it serves the campsite there now, so you would hope so.

@jamespeters2859 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, professionally put together, good music too.

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you James, I am learning as I go on how to make videos, so hopefully they will improve further this year once the weather gets better. If you are interested, I realised I missed a lot on this first video so made a follow up here: RAF Beaulieu Walk #2: Exploring the Communal Areas & Roundhill: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/lct1e86rzNe1k2Q.html

@jonjenkins9368 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Marc. I'll definitely watch some others and hope to do some exploring when the weather is better.

@TrexplorerUK 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jon, much appreciated! I started all this by taking my lad out. If you know where to go there are so many things to see. If you need any pointers, give me a shout over email. There's a great map available which shows all the old WW2 structures and fortifications that still exist on publicly accessible land. I use it for the weekends to get my boy some fresh air.

@jonjenkins9368 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Marc. Can you point me in the direction of that map. Always looking for interesting places to get out with the dog and kids.

@TrexplorerUK 2 жыл бұрын

@@jonjenkins9368 Hi Jon, will email it over.

@DaveCourtnes 3 жыл бұрын

Great video again Marc - really interesting!

@dolufson 3 жыл бұрын

Living on the other side of the pond, this is fun to see. Looks like it's similar to the Upottery airfield seen in the Band of Brothers series. Thanks for taking the time to put it together and share.

@TrexplorerUK 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dean, late reply I know but since you commented I've been able to get in touch with family members of many of the American men who also flew from here. I've also managed to track down video footage not seen before and photos, so hope to be able to publish that here soon.

@southamptonandoperationove7701 3 жыл бұрын

Marc, Extremely professional. Great use of existing contemporary film clips. Couple of small points; USAAF United States Army Air Force not USAF. I am not sure the Water Tower is WW2 and you might check. (I asked a Southern Water rep. at the time and he laughed in my face). Also there is an existing aircraft dispersal berth, featured heavily around the airfield, next to the car park on the Lymington Rd. It is camouflaged to look like a car park but must look similar to the original protected from air attack by earth banks so not so pretty. Love the music and would only suggest you orientate maps to distinguish between north and south for people such as myself who do not have GPS. As you know I posted both videos on the Liberator and Thunderbolt squadrons on YouTUBE. Was the 365th USAF a fighter or bomber, squadron or group? During the period at Beaulieu the 365th transformed from a fighter escort to fighter bomber role to support the D-Day landings. It was also what the Americans describe as a Fighter Group which we would probably say was a fighter Wing. Much better than anything I have ever produced I hope these minor points will help if you revisit the area. PS I cannot wait for this CoVid to finish and I will pay money to attend one of your walks. Kip

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kip, really appreciate your comments and knowledge here. The aspect I would dispute though is the Water Tower. It's on the 1945 military map of the airfield listed as building 136, children living on site post-war report climbing it, so it's WW2... but... the tank aspect was actually replaced 15 years ago for £250,000. So, that's why the tank aspect looks so shiny and new. If you are interested, I've completed research after doing this video where I learned more about the water tower and the history of it. rafbeaulieu.co.uk/water-tower-roundhill-campsite/ There was an almost identical one at RAF Stoney Cross which had been pulled down, there are still photos online though. I love walking there, so if you ever fancied meeting up and taking a stroll, more than happy to once the pandemic ends. I am not tour guide or historian so no money would be changing hands :-)

@robertgarrett4046 2 жыл бұрын

NICE COMMENTS KIP ,KNOW THE AREA REALLY WELL AND THE HISTORY ,BEST REGARDS ROB.

@michaelreynolds9463 3 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed that mate. Very interesting, and well presented. No endless "look at me " footage. Well done you.

@MarcHeighway 3 жыл бұрын

Wow. thank you so much. This is all part of my mid life crisis and being forced out of the house to find myself a hobby. The fact other people like what I've done really means a lot. I've actually been out there again this morning with my dog and found a lot of interesting places west of the Roundhill Campsite heading towards Brockenhurst direction. The weather is looking good tomorrow, so am going to take the camera with me and see if I can make a follow up film and publish that here next week. It's such as interesting place...

@michaelreynolds9463 3 жыл бұрын

@@MarcHeighway I look forward to seeing it. I can remember, when the runways, and taxi roads were still there. The locals used to blast around it on old motorbikes. My old man tried teaching my mother to drive there. He didn't have much luck. :)

@MarcHeighway 3 жыл бұрын

@@michaelreynolds9463 I can imagine the history, and even things like that. It's actually where I taught my son to ride his bike - lots of people must have similar stories!

@robh4671 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent.

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rob, I’m learning as I go it’s a fascinating place. I actually did a follow up with more ares in if you are interested: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/lct1e86rzNe1k2Q.html

@newforestexplorer 3 жыл бұрын

Nice interesting video 👍🏼👍🏼

@newforestexplorer 3 жыл бұрын

Marc Heighway Thanks! Yes just started a week or so ago. I’ve been photographing the New Forest for quite a few years now and thought it was about time I started filming it. I know Ray btw, he sent me the link to this video.

@newforestexplorer 3 жыл бұрын

Marc Heighway Yes I was gonna come on that little explore last week before Ray had his shift changed. Hopefully meet up another time

@FlyUK 3 жыл бұрын

Love it !

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

Ah thanks - there's a playlist of Beaulieu videos here. It's my local WW2 airfield - bit of a passion project

@FlyUK 3 жыл бұрын

@@TrexplorerUK will check these out after work 😊

@TrexplorerUK 3 жыл бұрын

@@FlyUK likewise - thanks !

@francisford2726 3 жыл бұрын

I visited the crash site of this liberator from 224sqdn you mentioned in this video in a field in pilley/Boldre area in the early 90's I also still have some wreckage from another crash site of a 405sqn Halifax from beaulieu that came down in wood off furzey Lane .

@Julienmcgowan 3 жыл бұрын

I have tried to find the location of the crash at Furzey but never did ! There’s is a lot of wooded there and hard to find signs of the crash site - although I found burnt trees but not sure if it was related .

@francisford2726 3 жыл бұрын

@@Julienmcgowan hi it was easy for a long time for me I had a visual marker on the path over the small stream there was a tree stump on the left back in 1996 when I reached that,.. I would face right and walk about100yards down a slope in the woods to the crash site unfortunately over time it was moved or rotted away and recently i was unable to find it again...but will keep trying.i actually still have a video I shot on a vhs camcorder of a visit starting from the car park at furzey lane to the site.

@TrexplorerUK 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment Francis, and apologies for the late reply. Would love to see your VHS footage some time

@francisford2726 2 жыл бұрын

@@TrexplorerUK I have some photo's of the site in stubbs Wood area off furzey Lane, beaulieu. as it was when I found it ...they show where Halifax DT633 from 405 sqd rcaf crashed and also showing some wreckage still on the surface back then.

@TrexplorerUK 2 жыл бұрын

@@francisford2726 I run a local Facebook group if you use that plaform. You might enjoy it, and people would love to see your photos if you ever get around to scanning them facebook.com/groups/400948317956198

@rancidschannel3206 Жыл бұрын

Whereabouts is the churchyard please. Only fitting to visit to pay respects.

@rancidschannel3206 Жыл бұрын

Why are you not allowed to clean the pundit code , is it protected by the trust?

@TrexplorerUK Жыл бұрын

I asked the NFNPA, and was told that anything that disturbs the earth is not permitted. It's due to the various bodies involved in the land and permissions needed including New Forest National Park Authority, Forestry England, Verderers, and I think Natural England. However, a mystery person does appear to occasionally clear up the gorse around it and trim the turf when it encroaches the letters.

@forestboy52 3 жыл бұрын

It’s a shame that no effort has been made to re-forest the site and the many others in the New Forest after they were cleared of all trees to make way for the airfields and associated buildings during the Second World War. And when I say shame, I mean utter disgrace.