Bros and Sistas it's 56STEVE with a new topic for you to mull over and discuss if you feel that way inclined. I am very interested in WW2 history throughout the world. Although i don't claim to be an expert on the subject I have travelled extensively throughout western and eastern Europe and western Russia with various tour operators visiting major and minor areas of interest with expert guidance.I have only been to a few WW2 historical sites within the UK and would love to visit many more on my bike i think it would be a great way to enjoy our beautiful British countryside and some of the roads that we have in this country whilst on our way to the historical sites.I would like to do it in true biker style by camping,staying in B and Bs,sleeping by the roadside in service stations and generally anywhere you feel tired enough to sleep etc etc. That way you spend more time doing what we all love doing,riding.I have only been to Dover castle,Bletchley park and Slapton sands in the UK.Some of the places i have in mind to visit are R.A.F. Scampton near Lincoln(Dambusters),the Derwent rese- rvoir Derbyshire(Dambusters),Coventry the blitz,Duxford I.W.M. (Duxford wing Douglas Bader) etc etc. Perhaps some of you might know these areas and be able to give us some guidance. No doubt some of you could suggest some interesting places off the beaten track that would involve riding on some great biking roads and travelling through some wonderful countryside with fantastic views. If anyone is remotely interested please join in the discussion and let us know what ideas and suggestions you might have. Ride safe,Steve.
Hi Steve I do know the Derwent is a midlands bike rideout location if you heading up this way I'm sure there will be a few happy to tag along and take you round some of the other local biking routes
The Derwent dam is always worth a trip, regardless of the Dambusters associations. But I' always keep meaning to visit the remains of the Nant y Gro dam, blown up as an experiment in the preparations for the dams raid. What's more, it's in some great biking country. http://www.dambusters.org.uk/the-dam-raids/the-bomb/bomb-testing-at-nant-y-gro-dam/
Another one worth a trip, which I have been to, is the huge crater left after the explosion at RAF Fauld in 1944. It's a few miles east of Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, and you follow the footpath on the right hand side of the car park at the Cock Inn in Hanbury.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Fauld_explosion
Thanks for replying fellas, that's some great info, i have learnt three more facts about WW2 history and i will try to check them out sometime on the bike, if not on the bike i will online.
I have just checked out the Eden camp web site and am already thinking about paying a visit it looks very interesting and it's on the site of a P.O.W. camp,German,Italian and a mixture of other European nationals who joined the axis forces in Europe to fight the allies,were,i assume,probably held captive there.It looks like it has some very interesting exhibits as well and what a run that would be especially from where i am,travelling through the spine of the country,the Peak district,across to the north east side of England"FANTASTIC''!! As you can probably tell i am quite enthused by the thought of making the trip and biking through some awe inspiring views on the way there and back (different route of course) also stopping at various points of interest on route.If you are equally as enthused join in the discussion and post some of the ideas you may have rumbling around in the old grey matter. Thanks for listening,as always Ride safe, Steve
Hi steve,another area of interest regarding ww2 would be the high number of plane crashes in the Peak District ,for example the Bleaklow area where a B29 superfortress came down killing all 13 crew,part of the wreckage is still visible.Another area close by was the Kinder Scout plateau where quite a few came down ,again wreckage still visible..guess in those days planes were lower flying in general than todays ,..
Lower flying, yes, but even more crucially air traffic control and radar as we know them today were in their infancy in the 1940s. In bad weather, at night, and knowing there was high ground out there somewhere yet with nobody to keep an electronic eye on you, there were few places more lonely than the cockpit of an aircraft. B-29 crash on Bleaklow was 1948, btw.
Also...If you're ever in Carlisle....go to the Castle...tucked away in a hidden corner is a little-known Border Regiment Museum..i spent ages in there,curator is an absolute mine of information as well..:)>
A visit to the tank museum at Bovinvton on yer way too , always worth it , and while in Staffordshire, take in Staffordshire Regiment museum at Whittington Lichfield , not strictly WW11 but have realistic trenches built outside , so you can get a feel of what it was like Then take a ride down A5 into Shropshire , stop at Cosford RAF museum .
There is the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. Not been myself, but it seems to have good write ups. Stockport has tours round the old air raid shelters.
Stockport Air Raid Shelters – Almost 1 mile of underground air raid shelters used during WW11
Muckleburgh collection in Norfolk......Weybourne. deffo worth a visit, loads of armour, guns, trucks, tanks, and loads of memorabilia. http://www.muckleburgh.co.uk/
Thanks very much guys for all your ideas and suggestions,very much appreciated, none them will be coming off my hard drive for a long time i will try to visit as many as possible.Please keep them flowing in. Who needs google when there's you guys Ride safe, Steve.
Dover Castle has some secret underground tunnels used during the war and the Battle of Britain memorial is around that way too I believe, or certainly some memorial up on the cliffs .. Over towards Folkstone, Abbots Bridge has the Listening ears, built after WW11 but may be of interest and also Mottello Towers Folkstone , originally built in Napoleonic wars but "upgraded for use in WW11 Back up here in the Midlands there is a German cemetery, (soldiers from both World Wars).nice tp visit to pay respects to all the fallen.That is located in our very beautiful Cannock Chase. Not sure though if there is a museum too, other than about the Chase
Hi feylin, You look like a typical tour guide especially with that hat on,which by the way i love,"LOOKS GREAT!''. I have been to Dover castle and yes you are wright the underground tunnels and bunkers were used during the early part of WW2 most notably during the evacuation from Dunkirk,'OPERATION DYNAMO',May-June 1940 it was the main headquarters for the operation which was commanded by vice admiral Bertram Ramsay. And yes the Battle of Britain memorial is close by although i am not sure exactly where, that will be one to find on the bike along with Abbots Bridge and Martello Towers (sat nav on the Glide so shouldn't be to difficult). It sounds like Cannock Chase has some good biking roads and beautiful countryside and it's always nice to visit historical sites off the beaten track the cemetery would be interesting i'm sure. This is wonderful guys i am finding out about just some of the many WW2 historical sites in the UK, it's exciting, i just wish there was more bikers out there that get equally as excited,if there is and your reading this please join in the discussion and post your views,ideas and suggestions. Thanks and ride safe, Steve.
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