RAF Fauld

Summary

Royal Air Force Fauld is a former Royal Air Force underground munitions storage depot located 2 miles (3.2 km) south west of Tutbury, Staffordshire and 10.4 miles (16.7 km) north east of Rugeley, Staffordshire, England.

RAF Fauld
Located near Hanbury in Staffordshire
RAF Fauld is located in Staffordshire
RAF Fauld
RAF Fauld
Coordinates52°50′50″N 1°43′50″W / 52.8471°N 1.7306°W / 52.8471; -1.7306
TypeBomb Store
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Controlled byRoyal Air Force
Open to
the public
no
ConditionSealed
Site history
Built1939 (1939)
In useRoyal Air Force 1939-1966
United States Army 1967-1973
Battles/warsSecond World War

The site was controlled by No. 21 Maintenance Unit RAF which stored munitions underground.

250 lb MC bombs being stacked in one of Fauld's tunnels
250 lb MC bombs transported by narrow gauge railway at RAF Fauld

The explosion edit

At 11:11 am on Monday, 27 November 1944 an explosion destroyed a large part of the site and killed about 70 people.

Post 1944 edit

The depot was used until 1966 when the site was closed. However, in late 1966 when France withdrew from NATO's integrated military structure the site was briefly used between 1967 and 1973.[1]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Reed, John, (1977). "Largest Wartime Explosions: 21 Maintenance Unit, RAF Fauld, Staff. November 27, 1944", After the Battle, 18, Pp 35 - 40. ISSN 0306-154X.

External links edit

  • Fionn's Websites - Coal Mining and Mines Rescue - The day the world blew up