View Full Version : Quiz Quwstion-Where Is This?
Jimbuna
10-10-10, 11:24 AM
Below are a series of photos showing the remains of a piece of WWII history.
All that is now left is the ballustrade, the site being long demolished and used as a visitors' car park.
I am confident some here will know where it is but hope the answer will be of interest to many here.
Views of the ballustrade as you approach the site
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/1438/p1000601u.jpg (http://img403.imageshack.us/i/p1000601u.jpg/)
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/9951/p1000602b.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/i/p1000602b.jpg/)
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3872/p1000611o.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/i/p1000611o.jpg/)
The upper ballustrade...now a picnic area
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/9413/p1000603y.jpg (http://img529.imageshack.us/i/p1000603y.jpg/)
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/8826/p1000605k.jpg (http://img831.imageshack.us/i/p1000605k.jpg/)
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/2922/p1000618c.jpg (http://img840.imageshack.us/i/p1000618c.jpg/)
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8056/p1000621.jpg (http://img254.imageshack.us/i/p1000621.jpg/)
Steps leading to the site that is now used as a car park
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5138/p1000620e.jpg (http://img257.imageshack.us/i/p1000620e.jpg/)
The view from the ballustrade with the site at your back
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/2705/p1000606j.jpg (http://img836.imageshack.us/i/p1000606j.jpg/)
What country Jim? UK? If so, north?
Looks like a GHQ kinda area...
I dont know what / where that is but its bloody beautiful, (English?) country side at its best? :DL
Jimbuna
10-10-10, 01:06 PM
What country Jim? UK? If so, north?
Looks like a GHQ kinda area...
I dont know what / where that is but its bloody beautiful, (English?) country side at its best? :DL
I don't want to give too many clues away and I'm sure you'll both understand why when the location is revealed.....but yes, it is 'somewhere' in the UK.
TLAM Strike
10-10-10, 03:03 PM
Totally random guess...
...is that where they designed the de Havilland Mosquito?
Jimbuna
10-10-10, 03:12 PM
Totally random guess...
...is that where they designed the de Havilland Mosquito?
Afraid not....nothing to do with aircraft per say but it could be argued it did :hmmm:
Schroeder
10-10-10, 03:26 PM
Seeing all that green grass I was about to say it's Bletchley Park...but it doesn't really look like it...:hmm2:
nikimcbee
10-10-10, 03:38 PM
My guess: Chateau d'Buna:haha:
Jimbuna
10-10-10, 04:52 PM
Seeing all that green grass I was about to say it's Bletchley Park...but it doesn't really look like it...:hmm2:
Your quite right....it doesn't/is not.
My guess: Chateau d'Buna:haha:
LMAO you crazy bastid :har:
Honestly....if I thought it was going to be this difficult I'd have offered a prize.
FIREWALL
10-10-10, 05:22 PM
The views and the stonework are exquisit Jim. :up:
Sailor Steve
10-10-10, 05:32 PM
per say
Per se.
swamprat69er
10-10-10, 05:41 PM
Is it one of the places where the Brits trained the 'special ops' teams?
ie: Altrincham, Cheshire
I'll take a punt and say somewhere in Northumberland.:O:
Sledgehammer427
10-10-10, 09:01 PM
I hate randomly guessing.
But I'm guessing it has something to do with the X-craft. The little subs.
That or it kinda reminds me of where they would train spies to drop into occupied france
It's where Nelson gave his "We will fight them on the beaches" speech before going on to destroy the Spanish Luftwaffe at the battle of Jutland?
kiwi_2005
10-10-10, 11:40 PM
Its where British submariners during breaks between patrols went to relax and be pampered. I'm guessing the sea is not to far off from where this place is :hmmm:
Yeah im guess here! lol
Takeda Shingen
10-10-10, 11:44 PM
It's where Nelson gave his "We will fight them on the beaches" speech before going on to destroy the Spanish Luftwaffe at the battle of Jutland?
No, Nelson gave that speech from his family's home in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1225. The prelude to that speech became the foundation of the Magna Carta.
FIREWALL
10-11-10, 01:07 AM
I betcha Jim forgot and, wants us to help him remember. :haha:
Jimbuna
10-11-10, 05:00 AM
I'll take a punt and say somewhere in Northumberland.:O:
It is located within 150 miles of where I live Grant.
I hate randomly guessing.
But I'm guessing it has something to do with the X-craft. The little subs.
That or it kinda reminds me of where they would train spies to drop into occupied france
Its where British submariners during breaks between patrols went to relax and be pampered. I'm guessing the sea is not to far off from where this place is :hmmm:
Yeah im guess here! lol
@Sledge and Kiwi....you are the closest yet.
The clue was in the first post but hope the answer will be of interest to many here.
Clue: The site was demolished in 1955.
Someone must get it now, surely.
It is located within 150 miles of where I live
Well its not Lerwick then. That's about 460miles from you.:hmmm:
How about HMS Ambrose in Dundee?
EDIT: The other options are HMS Varbell Port Bannatyne Hydropathic Hotel Isle of Bute, or HMS Varbell II Ardtaraig House near Loch Striven in Argyll. But that structure looks in good nick for something that was demolished in 1955 in the shots I've seen. That and the google maps pics don't reflect a structure like that near these locations so I reckon the X craft training facilities are out.
Jimbuna
10-11-10, 07:13 AM
Well its not Lerwick then. That's about 460miles from you.:hmmm:
How about HMS Ambrose in Dundee?
EDIT: The other options are HMS Varbell Port Bannatyne Hydropathic Hotel Isle of Bute, or HMS Varbell II Ardtaraig House near Loch Striven in Argyll. But that structure looks in good nick for something that was demolished in 1955 in the shots I've seen. That and the google maps pics don't reflect a structure like that near these locations so I reckon the X craft training facilities are out.
It is located in England, not Scotland or Wales.
You are correct in dismissing the X craft training facilities.
Think of another type of submersible and the term 'incarceration'.
Now that should let the cat out of the bag :DL
The "Uboat Hotel".
IN YOUR FACES! YEAH! :rock:
(I was right, right? :oops:)
54.339517, -3.022234 Grizedale Hall in Cumbria. Should have twigged when you told me last week where you went on hols.:damn:
Dammit...just a bit too late. :haha:
Yeah, it's the Uboat Hotel.
U-35s captain and officers wound up there after they spent some time in the Tower. :yeah: The Kaleu then helped von Werra escape.
Grizedale Hall is mainly associated, if it is remembered at all, with 'The One That Got Away' - the story of Oberleutnant Franz von Werra. This pilot had been shot down in Kent on 5 September 1940 and, after interrogation, had been transferred to Grizedale Hall. He escaped from a working party outside the camp on 7 October 1940 and managed to survive on the hills (or 'fells' as they are known) for six days in very poor weather conditions. He was re-captured and, after another escape and re-capture from a camp at Swanwick, Derbyshire, was shipped to Canada. In transit within Canada he escaped from a train and crossed the part-frozen St. Lawrence river to the (then neutral) USA. He was then smuggled back to Germany via Mexico and Panama only to die on 25 October 1941 when his Me109 came down, cause unknown, in the sea off Holland.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/GrizedaleHall.htm
Jimbuna
10-11-10, 08:32 AM
The "Uboat Hotel".
IN YOUR FACES! YEAH! :rock:
(I was right, right? :oops:)
54.339517, -3.022234 Grizedale Hall in Cumbria. Should have twigged when you told me last week where you went on hols.:damn:
Dammit...just a bit too late. :haha:
Yeah, it's the Uboat Hotel.
U-35s captain and officers wound up there after they spent some time in the Tower. :yeah: The Kaleu then helped von Werra escape.
http://www.bbm.org.uk/GrizedaleHall.htm
Thank heaven http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/9425/praydl5rp5.gif
It's true title was Special Camp No1 or Officers Camp No1
Grizedale Hall was its local name http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2772/thumbsupgv0.gif
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/319/111qot.jpg (http://img257.imageshack.us/i/111qot.jpg/)
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1655/222ou.jpg (http://img830.imageshack.us/i/222ou.jpg/)
http://lh.matthewbeckett.com/houses/lh_lancashire_grizedalehall_info_gallery.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizedale
They even made a film based on a Luftwaffe pilot Franz von Werra who repeatedly tried to escape
http://www.bbm.org.uk/GrizedaleHall.htm
Arguably the most important prisoner was Otto Kretschmer who was also the Camp Commandant during his time there.
Here is the story of probably the worst decision he made whilst in captivity: (from the book They Call It U-Boat Hotel by Simon Crump)
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/9573/1016wj.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/1016wj.jpg/)
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5514/1017ll.jpg (http://img291.imageshack.us/i/1017ll.jpg/)
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/7175/1018ne.jpg (http://img2.imageshack.us/i/1018ne.jpg/)
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/5827/1019e.jpg (http://img543.imageshack.us/i/1019e.jpg/)
And last but not least, congratulations to Dowly who got there first....just :DL
Well done mate :up:
I once read a story, based on a uboat crew who had been captured, and they were held at a country house, this was probably it.
Ah, yes, here we are...thank you once again uboat.net:
U-700
by - Follett, James
1992, Mandarin
ISBN 0750504676
Novelization of the capture of U-570 and the attempt of the IWO to sink the surrendered vessel after his escape from a prison camp. Otto Kretschmer plays a part in the story as well.
A fairly good read. :yep:
Jimbuna
10-11-10, 01:02 PM
What I found strange was the fact that Grizedale Hall was not mentioned on the map nor did the local tourist board have any information leaflets/pamphlets on the subject. All I could ascertain from them was a confirmation that Grizedale Forest had the remains of a derelict country manor located within it.
I spoke to an elderly couple in a local bar and they confirmed what I was looking for and for what purpose it was used for during WWII.
The rest is history, as they say.
Nice pics and thanks for sharing Jim.
Sailor Steve
10-11-10, 11:56 PM
No, Nelson gave that speech from his family's home in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1225. The prelude to that speech became the foundation of the Magna Carta.
Wait, I'm confused.
Willie Nelson gave a speech?
krashkart
10-12-10, 12:00 AM
Wait, I'm confused.
Willie Nelson gave a speech?
I thought he meant 'Mandela, Nelson'. That guy gave a lot of speeches about Willie Nelson. :hmmm:
Sailor Steve
10-12-10, 12:02 AM
But can he yodel?
krashkart
10-12-10, 12:05 AM
Almost certain he can't yodel, but he does know how to make a mean omelet.
Sailor Steve
10-12-10, 12:06 AM
I prefer polite omelets.
Sorry.
Jimbuna
10-12-10, 05:13 AM
Nice pics and thanks for sharing Jim.
No prob mate, I just wish there had been more of the building left to show.
I purchased the book by Simon Crump 'They Call It U-BoatHotel' and that contains a few pictures of the interior splendour the prisoners enjoyed but what fascinated me most were the copies of the reports from visits made by the IRC as well as those from the War Office and the prisoner roll calls and list of goods they were able to purchase whilst incarcerated.
Herr-Berbunch
10-12-10, 05:48 AM
I've read a book on von Werra's escape(s), a jolly good read. I'm sure the author had been to Grizedale Hall and it was still standing with prisoner's doodles on the walls in some areas? Unless it's a pre-'55 book, which is likely :DL
I've been in that area a lot (not alot :D) but have only seen the Go Ape signs. It's a real shame, again, that something historically important has disappeared :nope:
Jimbuna
10-12-10, 08:44 AM
I've read a book on von Werra's escape(s), a jolly good read. I'm sure the author had been to Grizedale Hall and it was still standing with prisoner's doodles on the walls in some areas? Unless it's a pre-'55 book, which is likely :DL
I've been in that area a lot (not alot :D) but have only seen the Go Ape signs. It's a real shame, again, that something historically important has disappeared :nope:
Quite...Grizedale Hall was a forty-room stone mansion built in Edwardian gothic mocktudor style and set amongst mature trees and landscaped gardens...it fitted right in to the English Lakeland idyll.
These days it would have made the perfect home for a lottery winner or an ideal exclusive holiday retreat.
Quite...Grizedale Hall was a forty-room stone mansion built in Edwardian gothic mocktudor style and set amongst mature trees and landscaped gardens...it fitted right in to the English Lakeland idyll.
These days it would have made the perfect home for a lottery winner or an ideal exclusive holiday retreat.
So when do you move in?:O:
Bunch of heathens. This is the real Nelsons statue in Traffic Square!
http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/nelson-bobble-7.jpg
mako88sb
10-13-10, 10:22 AM
Very interesting post Jimbuna. I'll have to track down that movie about Franz von Werra. I see it stars Hardy Kruger. Can't go wrong with him as lead actor.
Maybe they should of transferred Von Werra to one of the pow camps about an 1 1/2 hr drive from my house in Kananaskis. Here's a link to why he might of met his match:
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/961997
Of course, with such a character, they might of felt he would of been too high of a escape risk during the transfer process.
Jimbuna
10-13-10, 02:37 PM
Very interesting post Jimbuna. I'll have to track down that movie about Franz von Werra. I see it stars Hardy Kruger. Can't go wrong with him as lead actor.
Maybe they should of transferred Von Werra to one of the pow camps about an 1 1/2 hr drive from my house in Kananaskis. Here's a link to why he might of met his match:
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/961997
Of course, with such a character, they might of felt he would of been too high of a escape risk during the transfer process.
Yes, he was quite a character and despite the attempts of the Canadian government to get the U.S. to return him, von Werra was allowed to return to Germany, the only German POW to do so.
Hello! Crump here.
Very nice to see my book referred to on this forum.
cheers!
simon
Sailor Steve
05-17-12, 07:09 PM
I was rereading this and wondering who in the world would resurrect this after almost two years. A pleasant surprise/honor.
WELCOME ABOARD, sir! :sunny:
Onkel Neal
05-17-12, 08:28 PM
Hello! Crump here.
Very nice to see my book referred to on this forum.
cheers!
simon
Welcome aboard, Simon. :salute:
Herr-Berbunch
05-18-12, 02:12 AM
Welcome aboard, Simon :salute:
Haven't read it yet but it's now on my to read list. :D
Jimbuna
05-18-12, 05:46 AM
Hello! Crump here.
Very nice to see my book referred to on this forum.
cheers!
simon
Your welcome Simon and welcome to SubSim.
If your ever in the South Tyneside area be sure to drop me a line and we can have a drink and a chat whilst your signing the copy of my book :03:
kraznyi_oktjabr
05-18-12, 06:13 AM
Welcome aboard! :salute:
I would like to ask is your book available in electronic form? My eyesight has gone down hill quite fast and reading normal books is very much out of options now...
...except with aid equipment arsenal which teacher commentend to look like "missile launch centre". :DL
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