Ashley Walk bombing range in early 1945 - a scene reminiscent of the Western Front in 1918. The crater in the centre was made by a sand filled 22,000 lb Grand Slam bomb. The concrete structure is one of many reproductions of potential targets, in this case submarine pens. In 1997 the pens were covered with soil and undergrowth...
The first 22,000 lb Grand Slam bomb to be dropped in March 1945. It is sand filled and was carried by Lancaster PB592/G. The nose of the bomb is over the area now occupied by the Sandy Balls caravan park, and is falling in an easterly direction....
Both photographs courtesy of Tim Mason's book, "The Secret Years".