Hi Bernard and List
There was also a full account of the disaster at Fauld (the biggest
explosion in the UK in WW II) in Issue 18 of a magazine called "After the
Battle" which is still published in London... One of the men from Ashby
Mines Rescue Station lost his life in the rescue attempt and there were
several medals awarded .. .
Regards
John
.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bernard Moore" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2003 10:21 PM
Subject: Fauld Gypsum Mines - Midlands
> 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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