Rippon Tor Rifle Range Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

dartymoor: After seven and a half years, this cache has probably done enough and after another container lost, I shan't replace it.

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Hidden : 1/10/2013
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A large and interesting relic of the second world war. Please write an interesting log, not just TFTC or a cut and paste - I enjoy reading about your visit and it's very boring to get dull logs. Be inventive!

Note: This is common land with unrestricted public access on Dartmoor a little off the beaten track. It is a short and easy walk from the road (Pedestrian gate waymarked) along a very good tarmac track. There is limited verge parking on the road, or a car park 350m along the road SouthEast of the gate.

Safety: Although derelict for decades, this site was used by the military and even though outside of the current military training areas, should be viewed with respect. Ensure kids are under control and nobody picks up any suspicious metal object. There are low risk asbestos roofing sheets elsewhere on the site, but you DO NOT need to disturb any to access the cache, nor are there any near it. The cache itself is plastic.

"Rippon Tor Newtake Rifle Range" is a surprisingly extensive training facility built between 1939 and 1945. It was used for many years afterwards for training cadets. The DNPA wanted to clear this site in the late 1970s but the then landowner, Herbert Whitley, fought against them and ultimately it was left alone. I for one am glad he did!

How this site worked...

The cache is at the "butts", the receiving end and easily the biggest structure on the site.

Looking south-eastwards, there is a small area of open ground then a sunken position. From here, targets were changed and hoisted using the machinery still visible - the operators being protected by the swept and earth-topped shield.

The riflemen would be positioned further southeast on one of the ridges set at differing distances.

Towards the road there are remains of the latrines, including a rusty urinal, and other brick built structures. There's also a brick faced water tank on a nearby hill and remains of bunkers. Men waiting their turn to shoot were kept near the road, away from the firing positions and butts.

When in use, red flags were hoisted at Cold East Cross, Hemsworthy Gate, Rippon Tor and other points and local people were employed as Wardens.

A modern equivalent of this range is still operational at Willsworthy Training Camp ( N 50° 37.917 W 004° 04.787 ) on the West of Dartmoor, and open to the public outside of firing days. Not much has changed in the design.

Cache placed in accordance with the DNPA Geocaching Guidelines Congrats to Dartmoor Strider for FTF

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Sebag evtug pbeare, gjvkg srapr naq oevpx.

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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