Airfield Bomb Stores Brief

Hi Peter. Need some help rapidly here!
Would it be possible for you to

together a side of A4 or so on WWII airfield bomb dumps? Needn't be
super-detailed as it's for a poster at next week's War & Peat conference. I
have plenty of photos to go at and will be using Riccall as a case study as,
with it being now designated a National Nature Reserve and a superb
lowland heath, it fits the brief perfectly. However, I need some
introductory text for a 'general' poster on this aspect of airfields. I've
been rather taken up with Airfield review over the past week or so, so
things have caught up with me somewhat. I need it pretty quickly as
things really have to go to the printers by Thursday at the latest to be
ready for next Wednesday.
General summary would do - choice of location, layout, architecture,
camouflage, etc. Bearing in mind that this is for a 'non-expert' audience
in the first instance.
Also be good if you could expand and put together 3000-5000 word paper
for the post-conference proceeding. After being invited, we really need as
much ARG input as possible.
Any help appreciated!
Cheers,
Chris
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BOMB STORES AT AIRFIELDS DURING WW2
The RAF policy of using bomber aircraft to attack enemy installations was based on
the use of high explosive (HE) bombs to damage structures by blast and small
incendiary bombs (IBs) to ignite the ruins.
Bomb Stores were built at most airfields usually located away from the technical and
accommodation for safety. Stores were sited and constructed to take advantage of
natural features such as standing woodland that provided concealment and blast
protection. Regulations required specific minimum safety distances between
buildings within the bomb store and to inhabited buildings outside the bomb store.
Earth traverses (banking) were much used to provide protection and concealment.
A circular concrete road, necessary for heavy loads, led into the bomb store from the
perimeter track; a one-way traffic system was enforced permitting the road to be
narrow with a significant saving in construction time and materials.
The usual buildings required were:

HE Bomb Stores (for the safe storage of high explosive bombs up to 8000 pounds in
weight)
Incendiary Bomb Stores (separate protected storage for the ubiquitous 4

pound and 30 pound incendiary bomb dropped by the million and the larger
incendiary bombs. Small bombs were provided boxed in multiples and the
larger as individual stores.
Component Stores (for Bomb Pistols, Detonators and Fuzes)
Fuzed Bomb & Spare Bomb Stores (convenient open storage for fuzed
bombs awaiting issue and spare bombs)
Ammunition Stores (aircraft and ground defence ammunition)
Small Bomb Container Stores (small bombs up to 30 pounds were carried in

SBCs to facilitate loading into aircraft as an individual unit. The SBC stayed in
the aircraft after bomb release and was re-used.
Fuzing Points (drive through sheds offering weather protection with

workbenches, bomb component cupboards, bomb Tail Unit storage and tools
for preparing bombs before dispatch to the aircraft for loading)
It was usual in the early war years to camouflage these buildings using camo nets
supported on posts and catenary wires but this was later discontinued due to
expense and reduced enemy air action.
WW2 Airfield Bomb stores developed from the pre-war design using permanent brick
and concrete buildings a simplified early war pattern and finally the later war
austerity version to meet the demands of speed of build and reduced costs.
Many examples of the pre-war and very early war (1936 1939) pattern survive,
examples being Bicester, Wick and Driffield. A good example of the early war (1940)
pattern can be seen at North Luffenham. Of the later war (1942 onward) the
temporary nature means that most surface buildings are soon demolished during
agricultural reclamation but frequently, especially in wooded areas, earth traverse
stores such as HE Bomb Stores survive, an example being Ricall.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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How were bomb stores typically located at airfields?

What were the main types of buildings found in bomb stores?

Hi Peter. Need some help rapidly here!

Would it be possible for you to

The usual buildings required were:

Incendiary Bomb Stores (separate protected storage for the ubiquitous 4

Component Stores (for Bomb Pistols, Detonators and Fuzes)

Ammunition Stores (aircraft and ground defence ammunition)

Small Bomb Container Stores (small bombs up to 30 pounds were carried in

Fuzing Points (drive through sheds offering weather protection with

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