Hameldown Ridge provides Widecombe with its backdrop. As well as its sheer size and prehistoric remains (It looks down on Grimspound and has many prehistoric remains along its length and sides), there are markers to more recent history - the Second World War.
This cache takes you to two very different historical sites.
Many aircraft were lost due on Dartmoor during the war due to poor flying conditions, visibility or navigation. First, navigate to the memorial stone erected to mark the spot where an RAF Hampden bomber, registration X3054, crashed in 1941, killing the four crew - all of whom were aged 25 or under. It was erected by the mother of the Pilot, Lady Marjorie Cecilia Wilson.
Around the same time, and not linked to the crash, "Anti glider posts" were erected very close by. These were erected during the very real fear that German gliders, towed across the channel, could land on any wide open area of moorland. (Many fields at that time were much smaller than now, and much of Dartmoor is too steep, wooded, or studded with rocks to be considered)
Coordinates derived from this will lead you on a short walk to some remains of these posts. Despite having been exposed to the elements for almost 80 years, some are still standing to this day. Little is written of them, but there were supposedly many hundreds across Hameldown and nearby Hookney Down.
It is a small reminder of different times and the struggle that occupied every corner of our land.
(PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH THE POSTS - THEY ARE VERY FRAGILE! They are loose in their sockets through years of rubbing animals and strong winds.)
Note: This is a stout hike up a hill in open moorland. Please go well prepared and adequately dressed. You undertake this cache at your own risk. Keep dogs under control.
On the memorial is a plaque. Use this to work out the final location.
A. "On the A2nd of March, 1941"
B. "4B SQDN"
C. How many crew were lost?
D. Number of lines in the first paragraph.
E. Number of lines in the second paragraph.
F. Number of lines in the final paragraph.
G. The last date on the plaque. "19G1"
The cache can be found a short walk away at:
N50 36.D (G-F) A
W 3 49.(B-3) (E/3) (C/2)
Cache is placed in accordance with the Dartmoor Geocaching Guidelines