Aberdeen@War - Queens Road Blacker Bombard Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Westhill_Wanderer: At least I found one of my own caches this time

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Hidden : 6/6/2012
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


Close to the site of this cache stood the remains of a World War 2 Spigot Mortar Mounting or Blacker Bombard positioned to defend a major road into Aberdeen from the west.

This device was designed by Lieutenant-Colonel L.V.S. Blacker and 22,000 were issued betweem 1941 and 1942. Thy were used particularly by the Home Guard and it was noted that in England at least many were situated outside pubs.
 
When used it would have been manned by a crew of three and was a 29mm close range weapon that could fire a 20lb/9.1 kg anti tank projectile. Theoretically it could fire 15-20 rounds a minute, but due to the amount of smoke produced after the first it became known as the 'one shot and that's it' weapon. It is reckoned for an accurate shot an enemy tank had to be within 100 yards, hardly very practical for the three man crew.

A picture of the metal mounting whch has now disappeared is shown on GC3N0ZY (http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=4c522205-58f1-4fef-83fe-70423f71db63). The original metal mounting was replaced with by a solid concrete form and internal metal frame as this improved its accuracy. The drum of concrete known as a `thimble' was 1.22 m high by 0.9m in diameter. It was domed at the top with a stainless steel pin set into the top of it on which the mortar itself sat
 
In Mick Osbornes book "Defending Britain" (ISBN 978 0 7524 3134 5), former Home Guards from Ramsey in Huntingdonshire recount a training day in the use of the Bombard they attended when not one hit was recorded until the final man had his chance to fire having spent all day in the pub. With his very first shot the target was blown to bits. He was congratulated on his aim and prowess with the mortar but was totally bewildered as he had not been aware there was a target!!!!

Now the grass has been cut the spiggot itself is clearly visible nearby. Cache is a 35mm film canister. Please take your own pen or pencil 

GPS may be a bit variable because of tree cover so clue is pretty specific

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gerr gb fvqr bs cngu

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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