Monument record MWX1465 - Second World War petroleum warfare Site, Warren Wood, Studland

A World War II fuel storage site located in the west corner of Warren Wood, Studland. It was used for the Petroleum Warfare Department's 'burning sea' experiment known as Project Fougasse, which involved fuel being piped out to Studland Bay, released and set alight. This was situated within the Studland Sub-Sector, constructed in 1940 and defended by the 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment from October 1940, replaced in April 1941 by the 1st Battalion of the Coldstream Guards. The Home Guard unit manning defences within this sector was No.2 (East Purbeck) Company, 7th (Wareham) Battalion. A field visit in 1993 found that the bounds of the storage area were clearly visible, although covered by bramble bushes and trees. A possible pipeline was traced, and, on the beach, the exit of a very rusty 2 inch diameter pipe was found, which could have been associated with the system.

Fuel storage site used for the Petroleum Warfare Dept.'s 'burning sea' experiment. Fuel was piped out to Studland Bay, released and set alight. The bounds of the storage area are clearly visible although covered by bramble bushes and trees. A likely pipeline was traced, and, on the beach, the exit of a very rusty 2ins diameter pipe was found, which could have been associated with the system.

[With site plan drawn on form]. NW corner of Warren Wood, Studland. <1>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0013749 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0013749 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1427866 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jul 15 2024 11:10AM