RAF Beaulieu Memorial - New Forest, Hampshire, UK - World War II Memorials / Monuments on Waymarking.com

An information board and wooden post constitute a memorial to all those who served at RAF Beaulieu. The text on the board reads as follows:

'You are standing here during the Second World War; the roar of a Liberator aircraft taking off on a mission to track down enemy submarines and the buzz of hundreds of people living, training and flying here.

Across the south of England many airfields were built for the war effort. The New Forest was important with 12 airfields in the area. Beaulieu was one of the largest, playing several roles including a coastal command centre, a D-Day fighter base and an early helicopter experiment site.

Opened in 1942 the airfield played its part in the Battle for the Atlantic with both RAF and later Czech squadrons stationed here. Missions left to search out U-boats and protect vital supply convoys.

In early 1944 the RAF flew Typhoons from here; from March to August the United States Army Air Force flew Thunderbolt fighters and Marauder bombers including missions supporting the battle for Normandy.

From late 1944 to 1950 the site was used by the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment to test parachutes, gliders and early types of helicopter. The site was returned to the Forestry Commission in 1959.

At its height there were three runways, two hangars, ammunition dumps, tens of accommodation blocks and even a cinema and a gym. Many concrete roads and hard standings remain as does the original water tower now used by Roundhill campsite which it marked on the map with an X.

This panel commemorates the brave men and women who served here and is a memorial to those who paid the ultimate price.'

A small cross on the wooden marker post is all that denotes a memorial with the above words on the board. Before you the old airfield runway stretches out where model aircraft now fly and New Forest ponies wander.

Property Permission: Public Access instructions: Drive into the Car Park and Park next to the Memorial Access times: From: 8:00 AM To: 5:00 PM Website for Waymark: [Web Link] Commemoration: RAF Beaulieu personnel who died during World War II Date of Dedication: Not listed Location of waymark: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Include a photo containing, at minimum, the monument and your GPSr. We'd prefer a photo containing YOU at the monument, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
Also include a bit about your visit here.

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