200 yard Moving Target Ranges

I recall looking into the MTRs a few years back during one of those quests to identify all the locations and I suspect assigned training establishments, but I can't find any notes I made at the time!

West Freugh was originally an Armament Training Station but a war broke out, changing plans. The MTR was certainly in place by December 1940 (Luftwaffe AP) and probably built in 1939. Given the short-ish distance to Castle Kennedy it would make sense for them to use it, howver this is not proof.

I wonder if there was a limited time window when they were used? I know some were in use by 1940 but when was the last one built? Snettisham was probably one of the last. However they were still being built in 1941 as Wigtown's wasn't even started in February 1941. Possibly Bishops Court was being planned but things changed before work started. Some things didn't get done very quickly. Mind you I think one, possibly Silloth, was being looked at to be re-orientated at the end of the war.

I also recall that there weren't many spare sets of equipment to build them. Holbeach ranges was due to get one but it was put on hold and I think bits were stored at Sutton Bridge. I think these went to Snettisham in the end.

A lot of unknowns! Possibly the AGS ORBs would shed some light. Shame they aren't online.

This area is confusing to due references to various ranges in the area as Chivenor's ranges. This MTR was part completed for the RAF but work stopped as the role of Chivenor changed. It was to be taken up by the USAAF but I don't know if it was completed or used by them. The location is odd for the USAAF but then again they did use Mousehole for gunnery training. The sands was host to another RAF range, Saunton Sands, which was an air to ground ranges. If US Army documents relating to the Woolacombe Assualt Training Area are correct the two RAF ranges were adjacent. In July 1943, when the area was being reviewed for assault training the Air Ministry had decided that the MTR could be replaced by a standard free gunnery trainer. There was no mention of potential USAAF use so perhaps this was after the area was for assault training?

The other RAF range, Saunton Sands was being used by Coastal Command and they were forced to look for a suitable alternative. This I suspect was Northam Burrows but that is another unresolved story.

Interestingly in 1942 the Army had a range, type unknown, on Braunton Burrows but it was marked as not in use.

Not seen this one before, as far as I know. Apologies if it has already been posted. No idea where it is and could be overseas.


© IWM CH 14876
Original wartime caption: Picture (issued 1945) shows - The Moving Target Range

I must have missed it too, unless they are adding new photos all the time.