Marc H
@newforestramble.bsky.social
I walk about and stumble across stuff I think's interesting, you might too, and it's often the weird and wonderful in the New Forest including history. Lots of WW2 history and military airfields can also be expected.
If you're interested in the history of the New Forest's WW2 airfields, I will be giving talks on Wednesday evenings in the first quarter of 2026 at Brockenhurst Village Hall - Jan is RAF Beaulieu, Feb is RAF Lymington, March is RAF Needs Oar Point. 🧵 1/2
November 12, 2025 at 8:06 PM
If you're interested in the history of the New Forest's WW2 airfields, I will be giving talks on Wednesday evenings in the first quarter of 2026 at Brockenhurst Village Hall - Jan is RAF Beaulieu, Feb is RAF Lymington, March is RAF Needs Oar Point. 🧵 1/2
Another packed hall in Dibden Purlieu tonight to hear the story of Battle of Britain VC, James Nicolson. It was a fantastic presentation, nearly 100 people came along, showing the interest in WW2 history in Hampshire.
November 1, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Another packed hall in Dibden Purlieu tonight to hear the story of Battle of Britain VC, James Nicolson. It was a fantastic presentation, nearly 100 people came along, showing the interest in WW2 history in Hampshire.
As it's Halloween, here's an unmarked grave in a New Forest cemetery, which is allegedly where a witch is buried. A cage was once over the grave, possibly to stop her escaping. But the cage has been cut off, poss for metal recycling during WW2. Happy Halloween 👻
October 31, 2025 at 1:07 PM
As it's Halloween, here's an unmarked grave in a New Forest cemetery, which is allegedly where a witch is buried. A cage was once over the grave, possibly to stop her escaping. But the cage has been cut off, poss for metal recycling during WW2. Happy Halloween 👻
Beautiful sunset over Bagshot Moor at East Boldre this evening. This spot opened as the UK’s second ever flying school in 1910. Imagine how it was here with those magnificent men in their flying machines on an evening like this.
October 16, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Beautiful sunset over Bagshot Moor at East Boldre this evening. This spot opened as the UK’s second ever flying school in 1910. Imagine how it was here with those magnificent men in their flying machines on an evening like this.
Saw this horse in the forest today.
Calling her Jen-neigh-fer Aniston
Calling her Jen-neigh-fer Aniston
October 11, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Saw this horse in the forest today.
Calling her Jen-neigh-fer Aniston
Calling her Jen-neigh-fer Aniston
Widened roads in the village of Pilley, New Forest. Widened to support the build-up of D-Day traffic in the area.
October 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Widened roads in the village of Pilley, New Forest. Widened to support the build-up of D-Day traffic in the area.
On this day in 1943, an Albemarle of 297 Squadron RAF spun into ground near Stoney Cross airfield in the New Forest with the loss of 4 lives. It's still possible to see the scar on the landscape (pic taken 4 years ago).
October 10, 2025 at 8:21 AM
On this day in 1943, an Albemarle of 297 Squadron RAF spun into ground near Stoney Cross airfield in the New Forest with the loss of 4 lives. It's still possible to see the scar on the landscape (pic taken 4 years ago).
On this day in 1947, German POW Emil Kasten was killed after stepping on a land mine on the cliff top at Becton Bunny, near Barton on Sea golf course. He has been tasked with clearing land mines that had been placed as part of Britain's anti-invasion defences.
October 9, 2025 at 9:18 AM
On this day in 1947, German POW Emil Kasten was killed after stepping on a land mine on the cliff top at Becton Bunny, near Barton on Sea golf course. He has been tasked with clearing land mines that had been placed as part of Britain's anti-invasion defences.
This Friday I've been asked to tell the stories of these men at the Boldre Parish History Society.... so if you're about, and want to know more, I am told you just turn up and pay a fiver on the door.
Here's the flyer they made.
Here's the flyer they made.
October 7, 2025 at 3:37 PM
This Friday I've been asked to tell the stories of these men at the Boldre Parish History Society.... so if you're about, and want to know more, I am told you just turn up and pay a fiver on the door.
Here's the flyer they made.
Here's the flyer they made.
Here are a few photos of young American airmen, most of whom were from Texas, who found themselves on a field in Lymington, New Forest, in June 1944.
They took part in the Normandy Invasion on D-Day.
They took part in the Normandy Invasion on D-Day.
October 7, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Here are a few photos of young American airmen, most of whom were from Texas, who found themselves on a field in Lymington, New Forest, in June 1944.
They took part in the Normandy Invasion on D-Day.
They took part in the Normandy Invasion on D-Day.
Tonight's WW2 history talk in Dibden Purlieu, New Forest was presented by Andrew Whitmarsh on D-Day landing craft. Just under 100 people in attendance, showing the appetite for history is strong. Next month is the story of James Nicolson, the only Battle of Britain VC.
October 4, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Tonight's WW2 history talk in Dibden Purlieu, New Forest was presented by Andrew Whitmarsh on D-Day landing craft. Just under 100 people in attendance, showing the appetite for history is strong. Next month is the story of James Nicolson, the only Battle of Britain VC.
Hunting for piglets in Beaulieu.
Operation successful. 🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖
Operation successful. 🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖
October 4, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Hunting for piglets in Beaulieu.
Operation successful. 🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖
Operation successful. 🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖
The downing of the Beaulieu Liberator was claimed by Ju88 pilot Oblt Kurt Necesany (pictured).
October 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
The downing of the Beaulieu Liberator was claimed by Ju88 pilot Oblt Kurt Necesany (pictured).
No further contact was made. At 1119am oil streaks were observed on the sea's surface.
All crew were missing, presumed killed. 6 Brits, 3 Canadians.
Flt/Lt Guest was attached to the crew to gain experience, hence the higher than normal crew number.
All crew were missing, presumed killed. 6 Brits, 3 Canadians.
Flt/Lt Guest was attached to the crew to gain experience, hence the higher than normal crew number.
October 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
No further contact was made. At 1119am oil streaks were observed on the sea's surface.
All crew were missing, presumed killed. 6 Brits, 3 Canadians.
Flt/Lt Guest was attached to the crew to gain experience, hence the higher than normal crew number.
All crew were missing, presumed killed. 6 Brits, 3 Canadians.
Flt/Lt Guest was attached to the crew to gain experience, hence the higher than normal crew number.
On this day 1943, five Liberators of 53 Squadron RAF left Beaulieu airfield in the New Forest on an anti-submarine hunt.
Liberator BZ753 was the last to take off at 0554am. At 1034am whilst over the Bay of Biscay, messages were received she was being attacked by four enemy aircraft, Junkers 88s.
Liberator BZ753 was the last to take off at 0554am. At 1034am whilst over the Bay of Biscay, messages were received she was being attacked by four enemy aircraft, Junkers 88s.
October 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM
On this day 1943, five Liberators of 53 Squadron RAF left Beaulieu airfield in the New Forest on an anti-submarine hunt.
Liberator BZ753 was the last to take off at 0554am. At 1034am whilst over the Bay of Biscay, messages were received she was being attacked by four enemy aircraft, Junkers 88s.
Liberator BZ753 was the last to take off at 0554am. At 1034am whilst over the Bay of Biscay, messages were received she was being attacked by four enemy aircraft, Junkers 88s.
I believe this is beefsteak mushroom. Currently attempting to learn the different types of fungi I find in the New Forest.
September 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I believe this is beefsteak mushroom. Currently attempting to learn the different types of fungi I find in the New Forest.
I was out in the Forest earlier this week and stopped to get a drink out of my bag. When I turned around there were lots of little faces looking up at me curiously...
September 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I was out in the Forest earlier this week and stopped to get a drink out of my bag. When I turned around there were lots of little faces looking up at me curiously...
In this photo taken today is evidence of them still remaining on Beaulieu Heath, albeit filled in (almost).
12 year olds added for scale.
12 year olds added for scale.
September 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
In this photo taken today is evidence of them still remaining on Beaulieu Heath, albeit filled in (almost).
12 year olds added for scale.
12 year olds added for scale.
The dashed lines on this aerial photo from 1942, are anti-landing trenches, dug on the flat New Forest heathland in 1940, prior to this airfield being constructed.
They were designed to prevent German aircraft landing on the open heathland during the invasion scare of 1940.
They were designed to prevent German aircraft landing on the open heathland during the invasion scare of 1940.
September 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The dashed lines on this aerial photo from 1942, are anti-landing trenches, dug on the flat New Forest heathland in 1940, prior to this airfield being constructed.
They were designed to prevent German aircraft landing on the open heathland during the invasion scare of 1940.
They were designed to prevent German aircraft landing on the open heathland during the invasion scare of 1940.
I'm giving this talk at Buckler's Hard on Friday. It's free, but donations to the Buckler's Hard Shipyard Trust are gratefully received.
Talk tells the story of the village and how the Royal Navy requisitioned the Beaulieu River and Buckler's Hard during WW2.
Talk tells the story of the village and how the Royal Navy requisitioned the Beaulieu River and Buckler's Hard during WW2.
September 16, 2025 at 8:07 AM
I'm giving this talk at Buckler's Hard on Friday. It's free, but donations to the Buckler's Hard Shipyard Trust are gratefully received.
Talk tells the story of the village and how the Royal Navy requisitioned the Beaulieu River and Buckler's Hard during WW2.
Talk tells the story of the village and how the Royal Navy requisitioned the Beaulieu River and Buckler's Hard during WW2.
Bit of a plot twist in a local Facebook Group I'm in.
September 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Bit of a plot twist in a local Facebook Group I'm in.
It crashed on take-off from RAF Beaulieu airfield, loaded with depth charges, so they stood no chance once the Liberator bomber fell into the trees.
The crash was catastrophic as is clear by the melted aluminium found at the scene.
The crash was catastrophic as is clear by the melted aluminium found at the scene.
August 29, 2025 at 7:13 AM
It crashed on take-off from RAF Beaulieu airfield, loaded with depth charges, so they stood no chance once the Liberator bomber fell into the trees.
The crash was catastrophic as is clear by the melted aluminium found at the scene.
The crash was catastrophic as is clear by the melted aluminium found at the scene.
82 years ago today, an aircraft carrying eight Czechoslovak RAF airmen crashed in the New Forest with the loss of all on board.
A year ago, myself and a friend visited the crash site, and placed a wooden cross down for them. 🧵
A year ago, myself and a friend visited the crash site, and placed a wooden cross down for them. 🧵
August 29, 2025 at 7:13 AM
82 years ago today, an aircraft carrying eight Czechoslovak RAF airmen crashed in the New Forest with the loss of all on board.
A year ago, myself and a friend visited the crash site, and placed a wooden cross down for them. 🧵
A year ago, myself and a friend visited the crash site, and placed a wooden cross down for them. 🧵
Buckler's Hard is part of the UK Heritage Open Days initiative, with free entry to the museum and talks over several days in September.
Myself and Mary Montagu-Scott will be giving the talks...
Myself and Mary Montagu-Scott will be giving the talks...
August 28, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Buckler's Hard is part of the UK Heritage Open Days initiative, with free entry to the museum and talks over several days in September.
Myself and Mary Montagu-Scott will be giving the talks...
Myself and Mary Montagu-Scott will be giving the talks...