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Prisoner of War Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Jike67: Sadly this one has been trashed. In my experience, if its trashed once it'll be trashed again! Moving it is not really that practical as it is very difficult to get coords under the tree cover. Sorry to see this one go it was my favourite thanks to the history of the site.

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Hidden : 9/28/2012
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is on the site of the former World War 2 Italian Prisoner of War Camp.

The old camp is situated in a small wood just behind the treatment works at Seahill.
 
All that remains are the concrete foundation bases of the huts and some impressions of barbed wire in trees and old railway sleepers that helped form the secure perimeter of the camp.
 
I haven’t been able to find a whole lot about the history, however found this website useful http://ww2ni.webs.com/countydownpart1.htm it is full of loads of information on WW2 military installations in Northern Ireland.
 
Not many POW’s wished to escape from Britain as they could end up back on the frontline again. I’m told that some prisoners had “trustee” status and used to work on local farms etc. In fact fellow cacher Balatty recounts the story of how as boy his father who lived near the Clandeboy Estate was taught to shoot an air rifle by one of the trustee prisoners!
 
I have brought you here to share this little bit of history if you haven’t already been. I also used to come here with my children along the shore on our bikes. We would light a fire and cook sausages!
 
You will assume the role of a homesick prisoner who does wish to escape….In order to do so you must locate your escape kit i.e. the cache. The kit contains items that an escaping prisoner will find useful.
 
The cache I hope will be enjoyed by all but especially by children. For a bit of fun it might be an idea to try to keep any swaps on a military/escape theme. Please do not place any business cards or religious tracts.
 
The cache itself is a medium sized camo tab lock box placed beside one of the huts in the wood. Follow the initial path until you find the last concrete foundation. There are foundations of other huts over a fence; please do not go over the fence as they are on private property.
 
You can park on the roadside at Seahill. Or alternatively you can approach via the coastal path and if you haven’t already done so take in the Halywid Hunters excellent North Down Coastal Path series.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ybbx sbe gur fgneg bs na rfpncr ghaary...Pvnb!

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)