Bodney Warren

The B1108 here is west of Watton and among lands used by the MOD. The rough road heading north in the image may well see farm, estate and military use.

Looking north-westward.

STANTA stands for STANford Training Area situated roughly TL 8495. The area was established in 1942 when a battle training area was required and a 'Nazi village' established. Military exercises were already taking place in the area; tanks had deployed to Thetford in the First World War. The complete takeover involved the complete evacuation of the villages of Buckenham Tofts, Langford, Stanford, Sturston, Tottington and West Tofts. The occupants of the houses were all rehoused in the belief that they would be allowed to return after the war. However the site was so valuable to the military that they have taken up permanent occupancy. The area was used during the run-up to the D-Day invasion and since then has hosted many exercises. The battle area includes four historic churches; the one at West Tofts was restored by Pugin and a new "church" forms part of the specially constructed village of Eastmere. Eastmere was originally built to give soldiers experience of fighting on the northern European plains. There is a short landing strip for Harrier aircraft at TL 8332 9704 As a live firing area, access is not allowed without special permission from the Army. In the main this is limited to a number of tours a year and compassionate grounds for former residents of the villages or their relatives. The area forms part of the distinctive Breckland landscape region, a gorse-covered sandy heath which offers poor agricultural opportunities but farms are still active and sheep graze within its confines. Arguably, its use as a military training area has safeguarded a substantial archaeological landscape. It is the home of a wealth of rare species of flora and fauna already lost in other parts of the country. Parts of the training area are designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The battle area was used in the filming of many of the episodes of the TV comedy series, Dad's Army.

STANTA stands for STANford Training Area situated roughly TL 8495. The area was established in 1942 when a battle training area was required and a 'Nazi village' established. Military exercises were already taking place in the area; tanks had deployed to Thetford in the First World War. The complete takeover involved the complete evacuation of the villages of Buckenham Tofts, Langford, Stanford, Sturston, Tottington and West Tofts. The occupants of the houses were all rehoused in the belief that they would be allowed to return after the war. However the site was so valuable to the military that they have taken up permanent occupancy. The area was used during the run-up to the D-Day invasion and since then has hosted many exercises. The battle area includes four historic churches; the one at West Tofts was restored by Pugin and a new "church" forms part of the specially constructed village of Eastmere. Eastmere was originally built to give soldiers experience of fighting on the northern European plains. There is a short landing strip for Harrier aircraft at TL 8332 9704 As a live firing area, access is not allowed without special permission from the Army. In the main this is limited to a number of tours a year and compassionate grounds for former residents of the villages or their relatives. The area forms part of the distinctive Breckland landscape region, a gorse-covered sandy heath which offers poor agricultural opportunities but farms are still active and sheep graze within its confines. Arguably, its use as a military training area has safeguarded a substantial archaeological landscape. It is the home of a wealth of rare species of flora and fauna already lost in other parts of the country. Parts of the training area are designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The battle area was used in the filming of many of the episodes of the TV comedy series, Dad's Army.

"Shops" in the village used for troop training prior to deployment

A "family compound". The buildings are made from shipping containers covered with wood and then sprayed with concrete.

The compound walls are about seven feet high, with single storey buildings within. The compounds are separated by tracks about ten feet wide, which make excellent killing zones.

The buildings are facilities for a former airstrip and are now used for ablutions etc

Water tower and treatment plant supplying potable water to the troops at nearby Bodney Camp.

Looking south west over the river Wissey valley to the Danger Area lying just beyond the trees.

Old road leading past Bodney Warren inside the Danger Area. The road is used by both the military and farmers.