World War Two and its impact
on The New Forest
War, and specially World War Two had a huge impact on the landscape
of the New Forest and also on its people.
Geographically, like London and the south, the Forest was a very special place in wartime Britain.
It played a vital defence role in protecting the south coast and therefore inevitably London, from
an anticipated invasion by the Nazis from the Channel.
Now you can add your own personal WW2 stories and memories to share with others here. When you have finished reading all you have to do is fill in the form at the bottom of the page.
STOP PRESS 2010
Find out more about a memorial to a Medal of Honor awarded to a U.S.A.A.F. officer (this is the United States equivalent to the British Victoria Cross)which you can visit this summer or just visit throughout the year
here.
Here are a few WW2 New Forest Life facts I thought you may find interesting,
Because of the anticipated invasion, thousands of troops and naval personnel, were billeted
in the Forest.
D Day strategies were planned, in particular Operation Overlord, and the Forest changed,
as roads were widened for tanks, anti submarine barriers were built into the Solent with the
Beaulieu River filled with landing craft and torpedo boats.
Ships were assembled off the coastline and twelve airfields were built from which RAF and American
fighter bombers flew sorties both before and during the D-Day campaign.Today, as you travel around the New Forest, perhaps by bike or walking you will still see remnants of the World War Two occupation of the New Forest. Thank heavens it was only ever our troops and not Hitler who took over this beautiful area.
So, today you may see lumps of concrete in strange places, pillboxes, derelict buildings, old runways and airfield tracking. On the Beaulieu river, the jetties and the dock were where the Mulberry Harbour was built.
This is the Canadian War Memorial site in the forest.
It is close to the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary and viewing area.
This lovely memorial is often updated with personal photos, wreaths and keepsakes. Each time I have visited it there is something different to see, as visitors or family members pay their respect to their fallen Canadian relatives and friends.
Before you add your personal story on my "Best WW2 Memories" form further down the page, perhaps you'd like to read some recollections from the Winkton Friends - I'm sure you'll find
Tales from New Forest Airfields
absolutely fascinating.
This is a lovely WW2 site.
You can also visit the
New Forest Winkton and R.A.F. Sopley
site.
Read their latest
Newsletter.
T
These lovely sources of World War Two facts and information are run by John Levesley - it is well worth finding out more.
There is a beautiful gallery to view and also tales of wartime adventures - all from the New Forest.
By just reading the information on the 12 airfields you can see just how much logistical planning needed to go
into the D-Day operations and how the geography, location and suitability of the New Forest played such
a vital role in the success of the war defence.
These fascinating facts have been taken from
The New Forest Guide
The article featured here was entitled
Airfields of The New Forest by Jon Honeysett and was taken from The New Forest Guide.
I've found a really great website for more details of World War Two airfields. I looked up Ibsley and found a lovely picture of the filming which took place there, which I've told you about above. If you want to find out any more World War Two airfield facts
World War Two Airfields
I also found some really lovely World War Two stories from actual people who lived on the New Forest during this time. Their stories can be found on this
BBC stories from New Forest people
page. I found these stories fascinating and they give you a wonderful insight into life within the New Forest during World War Two.
I thought you might also find the
New Forest Military Archive
website interesting for more information. You can look up every memorial site within the New Forest and a lot of detail is given about the sites you may want to visit.
This site at Bolton's Bench on open forest at Lyndhurst is a memorial to WW1 and WW2 but also one Falklands War casualty - so lots of information for you. Here's a quick way to find the
Memorial Sites.
Do you have a treasured military button?
Did you know you could have it set into your walking stick?
Give Gill at
Wood Workouts
a ring and see what she can make for you.
Do you need to search for further information?.....here's how
Welcome to New Forest Life SiteSearch. I really hope you find this Google tool helpful in finding your way around my site.
Are you wondering where you saw the Rufus Stone page? Perhaps you found some information, or a really lovely photo of a New Forest pony, and wanted to find it again?
New Forest Life SiteSearch has the answer.
In the search box below, simply enter New Forest followed by whatever you are searching for
For example: put Rufus Stone if you are looking to find information on the Rufus Stone memorial site and hit the Search button.
Happy Searching!
Do you have a great WW2 memory you can share?
WW2 memories are heartfelt, poignant and very personal. Some of them can be funny - have you got one to share?
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
A memory of Dunkirk then and now
Not rated yet
My Grandfather lied about his age to get into World War One and then when World War Two came around he again lied about his age to take part again.
As ...
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