Dambusters training site to close

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/8391915.stm

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The final bomb has been dropped at a weapons range on the Lincolnshire coast which was used by the Dambusters.

RAF Wainfleet, near Skegness, was first used for artillery practice in 1890 and then became an aerial bombing range.

It was used by 617 Squadron for testing their "bouncing bombs" ahead of the famous raids in Germany in 1943.

The RAF said the area was not suitable for the precision weapons now used by aircraft and it would continue as a nature reserve.

Bird life

Wing Commander Ian Laing admitted there were regrets at leaving somewhere with such a strong history.

"The bombers from 617 squadron would have flown along here at low level, dropping the bouncing bomb, with Barnes Wallis in the sands making sure it worked and the accuracy was achieved," he said.

"It is a really poignant moment in our nation's history."

The squadron achieved fame after dropping large barrel shaped bombs, designed to skip on water, with sufficient accuracy to damage two dams.

Although flights have now stopped, the range will remain under Ministry of Defence control for some weeks while targets are dismantled and cleared.

RAF Wainfleet is one of three air weapons ranges within The Wash area, the others being RAF Holbeach and RAF Donna Nook.

It is also classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the large number of resident and migrating birds found there.

The bombing area has seen decades of use