Arpinge Ranges

[John]

Folkestone Herald - Thursday 06 May 1999

ARMY explosive experts from Essex have uncovered the remains of six wartime tanks during an operation to clear land on the North Downs near the Channel Tunnel of ammunition. Soldiers from the 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) at Wimbish are undertaking the two year operation on one of the Army’s training areas at Arpinge.

The tanks were used as target practice up to half a century ago, then buried. More than 150 acres of the military land are now cleared of ordnance. Thousands of items have been recovered or destroyed.

[Olive Drab]

These tanks were early and rare variants of Churchills. I recall one or two went to the Tank Museum at Bovington.

[John]

My first thought was "Churchill tanks, nah..." before remembering that you seem to know your stuff. So, a bit of Googling came up with Churchill 3" Gun Carriers. Never heard of them! Thanks for the I.D., it kept me distracted for a while - I do like learning something new!

[Olive Drab]

No worries John, military vehicles are my interest!