RAF Fauld
 | This article needs additional citations for verification.(February 2013) |
RAF Fauld | |
|---|---|
| Located near Hanbury in Staffordshire | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Bomb Store |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Controlled by | Royal Air Force |
| Open tothe public | No |
| Condition | Sealed |
| Location | |
  RAF Fauld Shown within Staffordshire | |
| Coordinates | 52°50′50″N1°43′50″W / 52.8471°N 1.7306°W / 52.8471; -1.7306 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1939 (1939) |
| In use | Royal Air Force 1939-1966United States Army 1967-1973 |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
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.
The site was controlled by No. 21 Maintenance Unit RAF which stored munitions underground.
The site was connected to the Stoke - Derby Railway Line and had a number of standard gauge sidings to allow for shipment of materials and munitions. These sidings closed in 1966. A 2ft 0in gauge railway network was also present, both above and below ground. This was in use between 1939 and 1980.[1]
The explosion
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
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.[2]
See also
References
- ^Baker, Allan C (1997). Industrial Locomotives of North Staffordshire. Oakham, Rutland: Industrial Railway Society. pp. 122–126. ISBN 0-901096-97-0.
- ^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
