Report - RAF Fauld Munitions Storage Depot - Staffordshire - 2012

[Speed]

About time i posted these photos, its been over two years since we first went here and the site has now been sealed up well.

The RAF Fauld explosion was a military accident which occurred at 11:11am on Monday, 27 November 1944 at the RAF Fauld underground munitions storage depot. The RAF Fauld explosion was one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history and the largest to occur on UK soil.

Between 3,500 and 4,000 tonnes of ordnance exploded — mostly comprising high explosive (HE)-filled bombs, but including a variety of other types of weapons and including 500 million rounds of rifle ammunition. The resulting crater was 400 feet (120 m) deep and ¾ mile across (1,200 m) and is still clearly visible just south of the village of Fauld, to the east of Hanbury in Staffordshire, England. It is now known as the Hanbury Crater.[1] A nearby reservoir containing 450,000 cubic metres of water was obliterated in the incident, along with a number of buildings including a complete farm. Flooding caused by destruction of the reservoir added to the damage directly caused by the explosion.[2]

The exact death toll is uncertain; it is believed that about 70 people died in the explosion.

Obviously after such a massive explosion no one really suspected there would be anything left but in fact we were wrong. After the explosion a large part of the site remained intact and was used until relatively late on. It is split into quite a few parts but we only managed two or three. The high explosive store, fuse store and some of the area that was sealed off after the explosion clean up.. Il let the photos do the talking. A very very impressive place!

High Explosive Store

Fuse Store

Sealed Off Area

​

 

[Oxygen Thief]

Yep about time. Thoroughly enjoyed my explores here.

Not sure my pictures are as good as yours though, but I'll get them posted up.

 

[Punk]

Good stuff, it's a shame it's sealed now. Cheers for sharing

 

[REEF]

Very very Jealous, thanks for sharing

 

[FaZy_UK]

Nice pics speed.

I was fortunate enough to get in here when it was open, and it was a cracking explore - untrashed, all the track switching points still functioned, all the light bulbs were intact etc.

Lovely mine with an extraordinary history.

Andy

 

[Boba Low]

That is sick, I'd never even heard of it.

 

[troglodyte]

Shame this has been sealed now I Really enjoyed walking round here. You got some great shots there mate.

 

[Ojay]

Get the rest of it up in that case, sat on my pics for far too long now, I guess it had to be you to hang them out :

 

[Ordnance]

For those who have never seen it - this is the top view of the blown out section

 

[The_Raw]

Looks awesome down there, cool report

 

[Humpa]

So cool.. Tried here a few times with no such luck gutted that its sealed now aswell.. Nice pics anyway mate

 

[canute]

Beautiful set of pictures - incredible site

 

[Wevsky]

Saw some bits i didnt .she its sealed

 

[pauln]

You lucky lucky sod!. How much of it is left compared to the bit that collapsed (bigger than MF or not ?)

Some super photos there too - I like the sillhouette.

 

[Speed]

Its quite big. More comparable with 19th/20th in Monkton than Chilmark for instance. The fuse store isnt as big but still interesting i belive there should be a Incendiary store there too but i couldn't quite work it all out. theres lots of doors in the hillside around there!