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Two Memorials Multi-Cache

Hidden : 11/27/2005
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A 2 mile walk visiting two RAF Memorials and the Kennet and Avon Canal in the Alton Barnes area of the Vale of Pewsey. The path along the canal can get muddy after rain and regrettably is not really suitable for buggies or wheelchairs. Car to cache and back again should take no longer than one hour to complete.

I recommend you park at Alton Barnes Saxon Church at the above co ordinates (N51°21.428 W001°50.819). Alternative parking can be found at the Barge Inn (N51°21.205 W001°51.394), but you need to note that the car park is for patrons only.

Walk to N51°21.289 W001°51.101. Here you will be at the site of a war time RAF Flying School. Between 1935 and 1945 the RAF Central Flying School operated Airspeed Oxfords, Miles Masters and De Havilland Tiger Moths from this airfield. All that remains today is the original “Link Trainer” building (the farm building in the corner of the field you are standing in), type 22 pillboxes and an air raid shelter.

From the inscription on the air raid shelter, on what day in June 1941 did three airmen lose their lives (answer = AB) and on what day in September, the same year, did a further two airmen lose their lives (answer = C).

Walk on to N51°21.013 W001°50.776. Here you will find a second RAF Memorial. On the 25 October 1944 a twin engine Albermarle bomber took off from RAF Keevil, near Trowbridge, with a glider on tow. As the two aircraft approached Alton Barnes, the glider lost sight of the Albermarle and began to overtake it, pulling the bomber’s tail up to a critical angle. The towrope broke and the glider recovered safely to Alton Barnes Airfield. Drastically the Albermarle dived into the ground at a 70 degree angle killing both the crew members, Flt Sgt Thomas Newton and Sgt John Wilson, on impact.

From the inscription on the memorial, what was the number of the Albermarle Bomber (answer = DEFG).

From your answers calculate the final cache location to find a plastic container. N51° 2(F-G).(F+C)(C+A)(E-C) W001° 50.(B-D)(C-A)(B+D)

Check sum = 50

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre natyrq cbfg fhccbeg.

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)