Dear All,
During WW2 a part of the above mines was used as a large ammunition dump. A
very large explosion took place in approx. 1943/44 that destroyed 3 farms at
least, a church, and caused much other devastation over a very large area.
The mine workings today are a few miles away from the old area, but it is
believed that munitions may still remain in those parts of the workings that
were not affected by the main blast. Indeed the workings that survived the
blast were sealed, and no-one has ventured into them since.
The loss of life was apparently 'significant', but being wartime the whole
event was hushed up (a big bang is quite difficult to keep quiet really isn't
it!). There were apparently a large number of Italian POW's in the area at
the time, and sabotage was suspected, though a mishap is thought to have been
the real cause. I am told that the numbers killed in the event was never
ascertained.
I had not heard of this event before today, and was told about it from
someone who lives in the area (and their descendants before), so there must
be some accuracy in it. Has anyone else heard of all this?
Regards, Bernard
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