1944 WW2 CROYDON FLY- BOMBING RAID - SITE #1 (ADDISCOMBE RAILWAY LINE)

The V-1 Flying Bomb was an early form of cruise missile developed by the Nazi's during WW2. The development of this technology (code-named "Cherry Stone") allowed the Nazi's to strike areas up to 161 miles (250km) away with some degree of accuracy. The bomb itself was targeted using a gyrocompass autopilot system. The photo below shows a picture of the V-1 flying bomb for reference purposes. 

The V-1 Flying Bomb came into service in 1944 - towards the end of the war, and the Nazis had already successfully invaded France by this point. The bombs were primarily launched from Calais and the Dutch Coast for the purpose of striking targets in the Greater London Area. 

Between the middle of June and end of August 1944, Croydon was, by far, the MOST fly-bombed borough in the entirety of Greater London. During this short period, 144 flying bombs fell on Croydon alone - with a further 19 falling on the fringes of the Croydon area. The bombs killed 211 people, seriously injured 697 and only slightly injured 1277. 

54,000 houses received serious damage - which, at the time was roughly three in every four houses - of total this number, 1400 houses were destroyed completely including several in this very area as you will see below. 

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During 1944, this location was an important railway line that connected Addiscombe Train Station to Elmers End and beyond (Beckenham, Bromley etc). 

The railway was extensively used in WW2 for normal passenger movements and for the movement of military supplies where necessary. Croydon played an important part in WW2 with two fighter squadrons based in the area - RAF Croydon (now Croydon Airport Museum) and RAF Kenley. It would not have been uncommon for military supplies to have travelled along this railway due to the squadrons somewhat nearby. 

During the Croydon Bombing Raid from June to August 1944 mentioned above, a V-1 Flying Bomb landed and detonated in the area in which you are now standing. Whether the railway was targeted specifically to disrupt this part of the country's transportation network is unknown, but extensive damage was caused to the railway and nearby houses following detonation. 

This cache stands as a reminder of the bomb that fell at this location and the lives that were lost as a result. 

You are looking for a small plastic tube with a blue lid. The tube is roughly 2.5 inches long and has been wrapped in black electrical tape to protect the container and also to allow a "HANGING ATTACHMENT" - wink wink, nudge nudge. 

Tweezers may be necessary as more and more finds are logged. But as of now (the date of planting), you should have no problem. 

This area is usually quiet but please be stealthy if necessary as the railway park is popular with dog walkers and general muggles. 

Those who may struggle walking up steep ground may need assistance. The terrain where this cache is located is not substantially difficult, however it is steep in places, and can become slippery in wet / icy weather so please take care. Once at GZ and the hint has been read, those of you hunting this cache will see what I mean. 

Whilst I have not listed this as a series of caches, I have / intend to hide more caches at further sites across the Croydon Borough where these bombs fell during the 1944 raid period. These will hopefully vary in sizes and types etc.