MMO1915 - World War Two impact craters east of Cheriton Ridge (Monument)

Numerous small circular pits visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s are probably impact craters caused by weapons test-fired from the Exmoor Firing Ranges, possibly small six-inch rockets for the delivery of chemical weapons.

Numerous Small circular pits are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s, covering an area of over 2 hectares on the north-east side of Cheriton Ridge centred at circa SS 74644516. The pits are probably impact craters caused by weapons test fired from the Exmoor Firing Ranges, to the east and south-east. It is possible the weapons in question were the small six-inch rockets being developed, although never used for, the delivery of chemical weapons. This may be consistent with the grouping of the craters in clusters of three or four. [1,2] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [3]